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

 CONTENT ADVICE: The video below contains material that may hurt or cause trauma to some audiences.

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

Films made in a single room doesn't get much better than this. In the space of 20 minutes Van Dyck puts forth an impressive feat in environment and the pace. The tension is based on the feeling of being in a confined space as well as a simple and astonished perception of the threat as a dubious one. "I wanted to play with what we do not know," says Van Dyck. "Whether it's blocking an actor's face, or leaving the mess of kids running and screaming off-screen, heard but never seen. It was my impression that you, the viewer, could create more intriguing images inside your head that I can show you." This play on space ultimately makes each minute much more compelling than the one before it.

The incredible performances by the lead actors Tarra Riggs, and Bo Mitchell, it's no surprise that Van Dyck said he wouldn't make the film without the best actors. An exemplary example of the cast, crew, and focus on the craft of narrative filmmaking, "Dekalb Elementary" feels like a non-fiction report of a gravely real event.

 We met with Director Reed Van Dyck to talk inspiration, challenges, and control throughout the production.

What was your inspiration for creating the film?

 "'DeKalb" is a retelling of a 911 call that became a national story in 2013. In the call, we overhear Antoinette Tuff discussing with an unidentified young man named Michael Hill, who walks through her Atlanta primary school carrying an AK-47 and fifty rounds. I hadn't heard about the phone call at the time it was first reported however, I came across the information years later when I was researching on a different work I was involved in about a mass shooting. I was sitting on my couch in Los Angeles riveted and emotional when I was listening to the 14-minute audio recording play out. For weeks I couldn't take their voices out of my head. Their strength and kindness, his confusion and regret. It was a touching experience for me. profound way, and I began to wonder if I could bring their encounter to life in film."

 Did you face any challenges when making the film?

 "The film is essentially a two-hander. So one of the primary challenges was finding the right actors to fill the roles. I even decided I wouldn't make the film without the right cast. The process took months of searching IMDb and looking through the cast lists for independent films, TV shows and more. If I came across someone who seemed to be one of the two lead actors I'd add them to the list. When the list had grown to 30 or 40 people I'd begin reviewing all of the actors on it and looking up their past works (TV performances, films, or films, etc.) then narrowing it down.

 Then I'd start the whole process over again. That's how I found Tarra Riggs, and Bo Mitchell who play the leads. I personally selected every actor who appeared in the film, not even those in parts that support them, using this similar method. I was of the opinion that even a single fake performance note by anyone could pull away from the truth of the situation and so I wanted the most talented actors I could find to play every part ."

 It's difficult to create an enthralling tone when dealing with of this serious nature. What did you find to work for you when crafting such a tense environment?

 "My principal inspiration in making the film was the 911 phone call. So when I started to think about how to make the film visually and aurally, I decided less was more. It was a resounding response to the message, it could be described as like a radio show -- just these two voices. In the end, when I made the film I was looking to investigate what we don't observe... whether that's blocking an actor's face, or keeping the chaos of kids running and screaming on the screen, hearing but not being seen.

 I was thinking that the viewers could create more fascinating images in your own mind than the ones I present to you. And by giving less information visually and in a narrative maybe the audience would engage even more actively with the movie, adding their own personal experience into the enjoyment. The goal was to make it more enjoyable at least ."

 The film is extremely controlled, which makes it feel as if it was made within a single day. What does the timeline for production end up looking like?

 "The script ran twenty pages long and so we shot for five days. I attempted to limit my daily pages to a minimum for the very reasons you mentioned. The more time my team as well as I were involved to work on the project the more deliberate and thoughtful we could be regarding shot layout, blocking, performance, costumes, and production designs. So for me, more time equals more control. That includes a long preliminary production process ."

 What is your best piece of advice to aspiring film makers?

 "This isn't really a piece of advice. I was born and lived in a small town located in New Jersey called Mahwah. The place I grew up on is an unceded tribal Lunaape land. I've studied on the Lunaape extensively for the film I'm making and one of the things that struck me and moved me was their relationship to stories. Storytelling was thought to be an effective healing tool for the entire group. The Storyteller was a significant person who moved between clans within the tribe and told stories to teach people about how to live. Stories played a role in how these communities and their individuals developed and changed over time.

 Personally, that's why I like going to the movies. And in strange times like the present, I want films and filmmakers willing to speak honestly and deeply about themselves and our world. I want stories that enable me to continue my journey to awakening. Therefore, my (selfish) dream or hope for filmmakers who are aspiring is that they set about the work of a filmmaker -- this journey- exploring themselves and this world and telling what they discover ."

 What's next? Do you have any new projects in the pipeline?

 "I'm currently creating two feature projects currently. One is an original script of mine. My producers and I are out to actors on that. It's based off a New Yorker piece and we're at the point of securing release rights, rights, etc. ."