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Title: Officer Down
Runtime: 6 min
Country: USA
Director: Thomas Haley
Placement: Award of Excellence + Best Screenplay
Competition: June, 2015
Synopsis: Fourteen year old Alyssa Cruz is just trying to do the right thing, which in this harrowing instance seems like a made-up story. The 9-1-1 Operator won’t take her seriously due to her young age and her description of her situation. After her pleas for help go unanswered, Alyssa realizes that “Sometimes It’s Easier Doing Things Herself.”
OR: What was the inspiration for your film?
TH: As a big fan of The Walking Dead, I always wanted to create a short film that had a Zombie in it. Something short, that had a few twists in it, then BANG!
OR: When did you conceive the idea for your film and how long did it take before it was realized?
TH: The idea began in November… and moved in 3 or 4 different directions over the next couple of months. Preproduction started in March and the film was completed the end of May.
OR: What was the most challenging aspect of working in a short film format?
TH: I have always been long-winded, so cutting a long scene down is hard work. Sometimes less is more, but not enough is incomplete.That balance is the biggest challenge in a 5 minute short film.
OR: What was the most challenging aspect of your production?
TH: While shooting “Officer Down” there were several production challenges. The budget was very slim so there was a small crew. The location was only available for one day… then the Jib broke. Shooting east of Los Angeles 35 miles on a Sunday led to the need for a pickup day having to be begged and pleaded for at the location. 4 days later the large field at the location was being mowed to a very low level, similar to a golf course so angles had to be changed. Of course the best challenge of all was the noon time temperatures almost reaching 100 degrees and the Zombies prosthetic having to be glued over and over again. Would i do it all over again….. YES!
OR: Do you have any advice for first-time filmmakers?
TH: Film. Grab a camera, rent a good one, borrow one from a friend, even use your cellphone. But get out there and create. See your idea from inside in your head, onto the screen, this will be several takes, mistakes and creative choices that you make, but do it anyways. The more you film, the more you make. Each project will get better than the next, you should see the first thing I ever shot, or maybe not, haha. Have a great time making magic happen.