Staff Select First Premiere "Dekalb Elementary" by Reed Van Dyck |

 CONTENT Warning: This video includes content that could cause harm or distress for some viewers.

Based on a 911 call which made news across the nation in 2013, this week's Staff Choice Premiere is "Dekalb Elementary,"" a gripping Oscar-nominated short written by Reed Van Dyck.

Films made in one room isn't more impressive than this. Within the span of just twenty minutes Van Dyck puts forth an astonishing feat in the area of setting and pacing. Tension is built around a feeling of confinement as well as a simple and confusing perception of the threat as a dubious one. "I was looking to explore what we do not see," says Van Dyck. "Whether the actor is blocking his face or leaving the chaos of kids running and screaming on the screen, but not observed. It was my impression that you, the viewers, would create more interesting pictures inside your head that I can present to you." This play on space ultimately makes each minute more arresting than the previous.

The incredible performances by leading actors Tarra Riggs as well as Bo Mitchell, it's no surprise Van Dyck said he wouldn't do the film without the perfect actors. It's a true testimony to the crew and cast and focus on the art of storytelling, "Dekalb Elementary" feels like a non-fiction report of an extremely real-life event.

 We met with director Reed Van Dyck to talk the inspiration behind his film, as well as challenges and the control of the production.

What was your inspiration to create the film?

 "'DeKalb" is a retelling of an incident that was reported on 911 and was featured on the news in the year 2013. The call is in which we hear Antoinette Tuff talking to the young man Michael Hill, who walks into her Atlanta primary school carrying an AK-47 along with fifty rounds. I hadn't heard about the phone call at the time it first made news however, I came across the information years later when I was researching for another project that I was working on about an mass shooting. I was sitting on my couch on the couch in Los Angeles riveted and emotional while I watched the 14-minute audio recording play out. In the weeks that followed, I was unable to get their voices out of my mind. The strength of her compassion and love along with his frustration and confusion. It touched me in a deeply emotional way and I wondered if I could bring their encounter to life in film."

 Have you faced difficulties while creating this film?

 "The film is basically a two-hander. Therefore, one of the biggest challenges was finding the right actors to play the parts. It was my decision to not produce the film without having an appropriate cast. It took me months of searching IMDb as well as looking over casting lists of indie movies, TV series and more. If I came across someone who seemed to be one of the two leads I'd add them to the list. When the list had grown to 30 or 40 people I'd begin going through all the actors on it and reviewing their prior projects (TV performances, films, etc) before cutting it down.

 After that, I'd begin the entire process over again. This is how I came across Tarra Riggs as well as Bo Mitchell who play the leads. I personally selected every actor in the film, including the supporting roles, using this identical method. I was of the opinion that one false note from any actor could take our attention away from the actuality of the situation and so I needed the best actors that I could locate to play every part ."

 It's not easy to set a compelling tone with subject that is as important as this. What did you find to work for you when crafting such a tense environment?

 "My principal inspiration in making the film was the 911 call. So when I started thinking about ways to create the film both visually and emotionally I decided that less was more. I had such a strong response to the message, it could be described as like a radio show -with just two voices. And so with the film I was looking to play with things that we cannot see... for example, obstructing an actor's face or keeping the chaos of children running [and] screaming off-screen, being heard, but not seeing.

 I was thinking that you, the viewer, would create more interesting pictures in your own mind than any I could present to you. In addition, by providing less detail, narratively and visually, perhaps the viewer would engage even more actively with the movie, adding more of themselves into the film. This was our goal at least ."

 This film exhibits incredible control, which makes it feel like it was shot over the course of a single day. What was the timeline of production end up looking like?

 "The script is 20 pages in length, so we shot five days. I attempted to keep my daily page count at a low level due to the exact reasons you mentioned. As long as my team as well as I were involved in production, the more intentional and thoughtful we could be with respect to shot design blocking, performances, costumes, and production designs. Therefore, for me, longer production time is more control. That includes a long preparation process prior to production ."

 What's your favorite tip for aspiring film makers?

 "This isn't really a piece of advice. I was born and grew up in a small town located in New Jersey called Mahwah. My homestead on is unceded Lunaape Tribal land. I've researched about the Lunaape extensively for a film that I am making. One of the things that struck me, moved me, was their relationship to stories. The art of storytelling was believed to be a potent remedy for the whole group. The Storyteller was a significant character who traveled across clans in the tribe and told stories to teach people about the ways to lead. Stories were part of how these tribes, and the individuals within them developed and changed over time.

 Personally, that's why I love going to the cinema. And in strange times like ours, I crave films and filmmakers willing to be honest and open about the world and themselves. I am in search of stories that inspire me to keep on waking. And so my (selfish) dream or hope for aspiring filmmakers is to see them begin this work -- this path -to explore themselves and their globe and telling what they discover ."

 What's next? Any upcoming projects?

 "I'm currently putting two feature projects together right now. One script is an original of mine. My producers and I are looking for actors to perform on. The other is based on an New Yorker piece and we're at the point of securing release rights, rights, etc. ."