Staff Choose Premiere "Dekalb Elementary" by Reed Van Dyck |

 CONTENT Warning: This video has content that can cause harm or distress for some viewers.

Based on a 911 message that made national news in 2013, this week's Staff Pick Premiere is "Dekalb Elementary,"" a gripping Oscar-nominated short by Reed Van Dyck.

Films made in the confines of a single space doesn't get any better than this. Within the span of just 20 minutes Van Dyck puts forth an impressive feat in environment and pacing. The tension is based on a feeling of confinement, along with a clear and astonished understanding of a dubious threat. "I wanted to play with what we do not be able to see," says Van Dyck. "Whether the actor is blocking his face or leaving the chaos of children running screaming in the background, which is heard but not perceived. I was thinking that you, as the viewer will create more fascinating images in your own mind that I can present to you." The play with space eventually makes every second much more compelling than the one before it.

With the impressive performances of leading actors Tarra Riggs as well as Bo Mitchell, it's no surprise that Van Dyck said he wouldn't complete the project without the right actors. It's a true testimony to the crew and cast and focus on the art of narrative filmmaking, "Dekalb Elementary" feels like a non-fiction report of an extremely real-life event.

 We talked to director Reed Van Dyck to talk inspiration, challenges, and the control of the film.

What was the inspiration to create the film?

 "'DeKalb' is based on a 911 call that was featured on the news in 2013. On the phone, we overhear Antoinette Tuff discussing with the young man Michael Hill, who walks through her Atlanta elementary school with an AK-47 as well as five hundred rounds. I didn't know about the phone call at the time it first made news and I discovered it years later during research for another project I was working on concerning a mass shooting. I remember sitting on my couch in Los Angeles riveted and emotional as I listened to the 14-minute audio recording play out. Over the course of weeks, I could not get their voices out of my mind. Her strength and compassion, his confusion and regret. It was a touching experience for me. deep place, and so I wondered if I could bring the moment to life in film."

 Have you faced some challenges while making this film?

 "The film is essentially one-man show. So one of the primary issues was finding the appropriate actors for the characters. Then I decided that I couldn't make the film without the right casting. It was a months-long process of combing IMDb and looking through casting lists of indie movies, TV series, etc. If I came across someone who seemed to be one of the two lead actors I'd add them on a list. When the list had grown to 30 or 40 people I would begin going through all the actors in it, and reviewing their prior works (TV performances, films, and so on) and making it easier to narrow the list down.

 After that, I'd begin the entire procedure over. This is how I came across Tarra Riggs, and Bo Mitchell who play the lead roles. I personally selected every actor in the film, even the secondary roles, using the similar method. My feeling was that one false note from anyone would pull away from the truth of the circumstances and that's why I sought out the top actors I could get for every role ."

 It's not easy to set a compelling tone with subject that is as important as this. What worked for you in creating such an edgy atmosphere?

 "My principal inspiration in making the film was always the 911 call. So when I started to consider ways to create the film visually and aurally, I decided less was more. The film had such an intense response to the message, it was more or less a radio play -- just these two voices. In the end, when I made the film I set out to investigate what we don't be able to see... whether that's blocking an actor's face, or leaving the chaos of children running [and] screaming off-screen, hearing but not being seen.

 I was thinking that you, the viewer, could create more fascinating images in your own mind than any I could present to you. By presenting less details visually and in a narrative maybe the audience would engage even more actively with the movie, adding more of themselves to the enjoyment. That was the goal at the least. ."

 This film has exceptional control that makes it seem like it was made in a day. What does the timeline for production end up looking like?

 "The script was twenty pages long and so we shot five days. I made an effort to limit my daily pages at a low level due to the exact reason you mention. As long as my team and I spent in production the more deliberate and thoughtful we could be in regards to the design of shots blocking, performance costume and production design. So for me, longer production time is greater control. This includes the long, preliminary production process ."

 What's your favorite point of advice for budding filmmakers?

 "This isn't a lot of advice. I was born and lived in a small town located in New Jersey called Mahwah. The land I grew up on is unceded Lunaape Tribal land. I've researched about the Lunaape extensively for a documentary I'm making and one of the things that struck me and moved me was their relationship to stories. The art of storytelling was believed to be an effective medicine for the group. The Storyteller was an important figure who traveled from clan to clan within the tribe, and shared stories to teach people about how to live. Stories played a role in how these tribes, and the individuals within them evolved and awoken.

 Personally, that's why I love going to the cinema. In times of uncertainty like ours, I crave films and filmmakers willing to talk openly and honestly about the world and themselves. I crave stories that will inspire me to keep on waking. Therefore, my (selfish) hope or wish for aspiring filmmakers is to see them begin this task -- this path -looking into themselves and the globe and documenting what they learn. ."

 What's next? Are there any projects coming up?

 "I'm currently putting two feature projects together currently. The first is an original script from me. My production company and I are looking for actors to perform on. The other is based on a New Yorker piece and we're nearing the end of securing releases, rights and other agreements. ."