Staff Pick The First Premiere "Dekalb Elementary" by Reed Van Dyck |
CONTENT DISCLAIMER The video contains content that could be harmful or distressing for certain viewers.
Based on a 911 call that made national news 2013 and also the Staff Pick premiere this week is "Dekalb Elementary"," an Oscar-nominated film produced by Reed Van Dyck.
Films shot within the confines of just one space doesn't get much better than this. In just 20 minutes, Van Dyck puts forth an impressive feat in setting and pace. The tension is based on the sense of being a confined space and a clear and perplexing understanding of a dubious threat. "I determined what we can't see," says Van Dyck. "Whether the actor's visage, or the mess left by children screaming in the background, that is easily heard, but never observed. I was thinking that you, the audience, will create more fascinating images within your mind than what I can ever show you." Space is a play that makes every minute much more compelling than the one preceding it.
Given the astounding performances from prominent actors Tarra Riggs and Bo Mitchell, it's no surprising that Van Dyck said he wouldn't complete the project without the perfect actors. It's a true testimony to the castand crew and their dedication to the art of storytelling "Dekalb Elementary" feels like a fiction-based account of a tragically real-life event.
We caught up with the director Reed Van Dyck to talk about his inspiration, how he tackled the issues in managing the movie.
What inspired you in creating this movie?
"'DeKalb" is an adaptation of the 911 call , which was featured on the news in the year 2013. On the phone, we overhear Antoinette Tuff talking with the teenager Michael Hill, who walks through her Atlanta elementary school , equipped with an AK-47 and as many being armed with 500 rounds. I was unaware of the phone conversation at the time that it first became publicized. I came across it after, while researching for a different project that I had been working on regarding the possibility of a mass shooting. I can remember sitting on my couch in Los Angeles riveted and emotional while I watched the recording's fourteen minutes unfold. Over the course of weeks, I could not remove their voices from my mind. Her strength and compassion along with his frustration and confusion. This touched me in an emotional way, so I started to think about ways to capture their experience on the screen of film. "
Did you face some challenges while making the movie?
"The film is essentially an all-man production. So one of the primary problems was choosing the correct actors to play the roles. It was even my decision to not produce the film without having an appropriate actors. The process took months of searching IMDb as well as looking over the cast lists of independent TV programs, etc. Anytime I saw someone who was one of the leads I'd put their name on the list. When the list had gotten to 30 , 40 , or more, I would begin to go through every actor in it, and looking at their previous projects (TV movies, performances and the like) before narrowing it down.
Following that, I'd take the time to start to repeat the entire process. It was how I discovered Tarra Riggs, as well as Bo Mitchell who play the main roles. I actually hand-picked every other actor in the film, not even those in the roles they play, using this same process. I believed that even a fake note of performance from an actor could take us out from the actual situation, so I sought out the top actors that I could locate to play every part . "
It's hard to create the tone with a powerful impact in a of this serious nature. How did you make this an enthralling setting?
"My main inspiration for making the film was always that 911 call. So when I started to consider ways to make the film both emotionally and visually I decided that less was more. I felt such a powerful response to the message, which could be described as an audio-only play with only two voices. And so with the film I began to study the things we can't see... no matter of whether it's blocking an actor's face or leaving a mess of children in the room shouting to be heard, but never seen.
I was thinking that you, as the audience could create more fascinating images in your head than I could ever demonstrate to you. By presenting less details both visual and narratively, perhaps the audience would take a more active enjoyment of the film as they would add their own personal touch to the experience. The goal was to make it more enjoyable to the minimum. . "
The movie has a remarkable control, which makes it feel like it was created over the course of one day. What would the schedule of production look like?
"The script has twenty pages. We shot the script for five days. I tried to limit my daily page count in order to avoid the burden of the reasons you mentioned. The longer my team as well as I were involved working on producing, the better focused and attentive I/we were in regard to the creation of blocking shots, performance, costumes, and production designs. For me, having more time is more in control. This is a reality that comes with an extended pre-production process . "
What's your favorite tip for aspiring filmmakers?
"This isn't much suggestions. I was raised and born in a town of New Jersey called Mahwah. My homestead on is an ancestral tribal land that is unceded to the Lunaape. I've done research on the Lunaape in depth in preparation for my film One thing that fascinated me, and even moved me, was their relationship to the stories. Storytelling was considered to be a potent healing tool for the entire community. The Storyteller was a key person who was able to move from clan to clan within the tribe, and told stories to educate individuals the way to live. Stories played a role in how people and tribes continued to evolve and wake.
Personally, that's why I like going to the films. When I am in a time of uncertainty, such as the present, I look for filmmakers and films that are willing to speak honestly and deeply about their lives as well as their surroundings. I am in search of stories that enable me to continue my journey to a better place. Thus, my (selfish) ambition or desire for the next generation of filmmakers is to see them begin this work -- this journeyto explore the world around them as well as presenting what they learn . "
What's next? Do you have any new projects that are in development?
"I'm in the process of developing two feature-length projects at present. One script is an original from myself. My production company and I are reaching actors for. The second is based off a New Yorker piece and we're getting close to signing releases, rights , and other agreements. . "
This post was posted on here