Staff Select"Dekalb Elementary "Dekalb Elementary" by Reed Van Dyck |
CONTENT Warning this video has content that may cause harm or discomfort to certain audiences.
The story is based on the 911 call that made news across the nation in 2013. This week's Staff Pick Premiere on "Dekalb Elementary,"" an Oscar-nominated, gripping short directed by Reed Van Dyck.
Films shot in a single room doesn't get much better than this. Within a mere twenty minutes Van Dyck puts forth an amazing feat of environment and speed. The tension is caused through the sensation that you are in a restricted area and an unambiguous and confused perception of danger as one that is doubtful. "I wanted to look at those things that we are unable to be able to see," says Van Dyck. "Whether the actor is blocking his face or leaving the mess of children running] screaming off-screen, they are heard, but not seen. I believe that you, the viewer, are more likely to create fascinating images inside your head that I will ever be able to demonstrate to you." The play with space creates every minute more captivating than the previous.
The amazing performances given by the lead actresses Tarra Riggs and Bo Mitchell, it's no surprising that Van Dyck said he wouldn't complete the movie without ideal actors. The film is a shining example of team, cast as well as the dedication to the craft of narrative filmmaking "Dekalb Elementary" feels like a documentary of a gravely real event.
HTML0We had lunch with Director Reed Van Dyck to talk about inspiration, the challenges and how to control the film.
Was your motivation to make this film?
"'DeKalb" The basis for the 911 call which became the subject of a major news story in 2013. In the call, we hear Antoinette Tuff discussing a young man, Michael Hill, who walks through the Atlanta primary school, equipped with an AK-47 together with 50 rounds. I didn't know about the phone call at the time the story first broke, but I discovered it while researching for another work I was working on in relation to the possibility of mass shootings. I remember being on my couch at home located in Los Angeles riveted and emotional while I watched the 14 minutes of audio recordings play out. Over the course of weeks, I could not take their voices off my head. Their strength and kindness as well as his regret and confusion. It was an emotional moment for me. In a deeply emotional manner, I started to think about what I could do to bring their encounter to life on film. "
Did you face any difficulties while creating the documentary?
"The film, in its essence, is an action film with two characters. So one of the most difficult challenges was finding the right actors for the roles. Then I decided that I would not produce the film without having the right casting. The process took months of searching IMDb as well as looking over the casting lists of independent TV shows, films as well as other TV shows. When I saw someone that appeared to match any of the two lead actors, I'd add their name to the list. If the list grew to 30, 40 or more, I'd begin looking through each actor in it, and looking at their previous projects (TV performances, films and more) before making it easier to narrow the list .
Following that, I'd do the entire process over again. This is how I came across Tarra Riggs, as well as Bo Mitchell who play the leading characters. I personally picked all actors in the film including those with other role, using the exact identical method. My belief was that even a fake performance note from any actor might divert our attention from the reality of the situation, which is why I sought out the top actors I could get for each role . "
It's difficult to create an impactful tone which is as crucial such a situation. What worked for you to create this stimulating setting?
"My main inspiration for creating the film was the 911 call. As I was contemplating ways of implementing the film, physically and in terms of sound I was able to decide that less was more. It was a resounding response to the request, which could be described something like a radio broadcast with just two voices. Then, using the film I began to look at what we cannot see... such as, obstructing the actor's view or causing chaos for children [and] screaming off-screen, being heard, but not visible.
I was thinking that you, as the viewer could create more fascinating thoughts in your own mind that I have presented to you. And by giving less information, narratively and visually it is possible that the viewers will take a more active interest in the movie, and bring more of themselves into the pleasure. The goal was to enhance the enjoyment in the least. . "
The movie has amazing control and makes it look as if it was created in a day. How long did the making the film?
"The script was twenty pages, which means we shot it for five days. I was able to cut down the number of pages per day to a a low level for reasons you have mentioned. The more time my team together with me were engaged in the production process it was the more deliberate and conscious we could be regarding shooting layout, blocking of performances as well as costumes and designs for production. Therefore, for me, more time in production allows for greater control. That's why it's the extended process of pre-production . "
What's your top tip for aspiring filmmakers?
"This isn't really a piece of direction, because I was raised in a small town on the coast of New Jersey called Mahwah. My property is unexpropriated Lunaape Tribal land. I've read about the Lunaape to make the film I'm producing. One of the things which struck me, and that moved me was their relationship to stories. Storytelling was thought to be a powerful healing tool for the entire group. The storyteller was a key person who moved between clans within the tribe and told stories to show people how to live their lives. Stories were a key factor in the ways that the tribes as well as individuals continued to develop and grow.
Personally, I like going to the movies. In times of uncertainty like the present, I am drawn to films and filmmakers willing to speak openly and candidly about their world and the people they meet. I'm in search of stories that inspire me to wake up. Therefore, my (selfish) desire or goal for aspiring filmmakers is to help them start with this project -- in this way -- investigating themselves as well as the world and presenting what they find . "
What's next? Are there any projects in the works?
"I'm creating two feature films at the moment. The first is an original script of mine. My producers as well as I are searching for actors for the role. This is a re-creation of The New Yorker piece and we're nearing the end of getting rights to release, rights to perform and rights. . "
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