CALL FOR HELP!: AN LA 48 HOUR FILM FESTIVAL DARLING

Things have a funny way of working out. My good friend Eileen Chase has been a dedicated participant of the LA 48 Hour Film Festival for several years now. She began by simply attending the open call for actors to be considered for other team's productions. Eventually, she began rounding people together to create her own team (which would eventually be titled “Triat Films”, and even then she found inspiration and motivation to explore another aspect of filmmaking and began participating in the writing of her own films.

I’m grateful to say that after initially having to bow out due to a scheduling conflict, I was in fact able to take up her kind invitation to collaborate in the writing of her film for this year. Not only as an actor, but as a co-writer. We would brainstorm ideas based on our prompts with Kyle Macintosh and our Director Jim Garett for the first hour or two. I would end up taking the first pass at an actual outline and first draft of the script. Afterwards, Eileen punched up some jokes and Jim helped us sharpen the edges. All in all, we had a shooting script even quicker than any of us had expected.

That sense of flow would only continue into our filming day thanks to Jim and Eileen having pulled together a top notch crew and easy going cast to work and play together in the ever cinematic location of Liongate Manor. With costumes thrown together from the vast and impressive handmade collection located on the premises, the shoot itself took barely 6 hours and even allowed time for a casual wrap party upon completion.

Our amazing composer Kyle Simpson pulled together a Nomination Worthy Original Musical Score from the airport he was stuck in during a tropical storm, which to be frank is only one of Nine awards in total that those of us who were a part of making this film were nominated for. Five of which we Won, not including our being 2nd Runner Up for Best Film of the festival. And our director Jim Garrett and editor Ryan Cultrera teamed up to create a Final Cut of the film in record time before the deadline.

The full list of accolades include:

Nominee - Best Director

Nominee - Best Original Musical Score

Nominee - Best Production Design

2nd Runner Up - Best Film

Winner - Best Writing

Winner - Best Use of Genre

Winner - Best Acting Ensemble

Winner - Best Costumes

Winner - Woman Filmmaker of the Year *Eileen Chase

That last one deserves a little extra acknowledgment. As I mentioned at the beginning of this entry, Eileen has been on a journey of growth as an artist and a person throughout her involvement with the LA 48Hr Film Festival and I could not be happier for her or agree with the festival’s founders Michael and Leanne Westphal that her growth into a action oriented creative is beyond worthy of recognition. And if anyone had their doubts, I feel like she can point to this film we made as a fine example of such growth.

Or, as the LA48HFF Instagram Page stated:

_________________________________________________

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce the recipient of our prestigious 2024 Woman Filmmaker of the Year award. Sponsored by Woman in Film, this highly esteemed accolade has been awarded to the incredibly talented Eileen Chase from Triat Films. Eileen not only produced but also starred in the outstanding superhero/disaster comedy CALL FOR HELP, which garnered an impressive 10 nominations and secured 4 wins, including 2nd Runner Up Best Film, Best Writing, Best Acting Ensemble, Best Use of Genre, Best Costumes, and of course, the highly esteemed Woman Filmmaker of the Year award.

CALL FOR HELP features an exceptional cast including Monnie Aleahmad, Clayton Stocker Myers, Lauren Dewey, and Eileen Chase.

Our biggest congratulations go out to Eileen for her exceptional work in bringing this delightful and innovative film to life. We are truly honored to have played a part in Eileen’s journey as she establishes herself as a rising star in the film industry. Bravo!”

_________________________________________________

Call For Help was conceived, produced, filmed, edited, and submitted over the weekend of August 2nd 2024 as part of the LA 48Hr Film Festival and screened in front of live audience on August 18th as part of Block J and again on September 4th as part of the “Best Of” screening.

Any award and/or nomination’s value is only further elevated when acknowledging the collection of the other 31 films that screened as part of the “Best Of” block. Everyone made such Amazingly Impressive short films in such a short period of time and I can certainly peak for myself when I say they truly inspired me.

LOGLINE: They thought they had the night off… Disaster had other plans.

SYNOPSIS:

TRAILER: