Sunday, November 6, we had a screening at The Charlie Chaplin Theatre for my short film, The Callback. After months of planning with help from several sources, I have to say the night could not have gone better. Thanks to Justin Baker, Laura Mala, Heidi Rotbart, Malbec Restaurant, Todd Roisman, to name just a few!!
It was nice to see most of our cast that night, as others were busy with other plans. I am most proud of the performances of the entire cast and the reactions they got from the audience. I wanted to make a film using the Improvisational style of Reno 911! , and I was able to assemble a great cast.
I think the comedy that comes out of Improv is so honest that it can bring out the subtleties of comedy often missed in network-style sitcoms. I merely had to describe a situation, choose and A, B and C for the scene and let the actors go. Andy Palmer did a fantastic job of editing and we got a solid comedy from just ONE day of shooting.
The other shorts I screened were also hits. Nice Meal is basically a silent film acted by Cedric Yarbrough and myself. We had so much experience with each other on Reno 911! That there was just this innate trust between us. Two mob guys enjoying food the way it was meant to be; in a gluttonous fashion!
The other “talk of the night” was Off The Curb – a totally improvised cartoon featuring the voices of Carlos Alazraqui, Gary Anthony Williams, Fred Tatasciore and John DiMaggio, 57 minutes of GOLDEN material edited down to 2:30 by my super talented wife, Laura Mala. As with The Callback the comedy is honest and subtle and laugh out loud funny!!
Sure the food was excellent and The Red Carpet with the step and repeat made us all feel big time, but the hit of the night was how much people truly enjoyed the evening – so proud to have gotten to work with such creative and wonderful people.
This is the best of what LA has to offer — the top talent in the world wanting to work just for the sake of making something great. I am forever thankful for all who participated. We made something great!!
-Carlos
