CallBack

Callback is a multi-media dark comedy that lampoons the chaotic nature of the film industry and the lunacy of day-to-day life in Hollywood. The plot of Callback centers around the production of Bloodstain, a film that goes terribly awry on the first day of shooting. The story unfolds after these events have already taken place and examines the factors that contributed to the film's tragic end through the perspectives of the film's director and actors. Callback unravels much like a mystery, with each character's take on the story filling in another piece of the puzzle. The movie combines elements of straightforward narrative storytelling with documentary style interviews and behind the scenes footage, making it a tragi-comic, “mockumentary” that offers a unique insider's glimpse into the making of a movie. Think Waiting for Guffman meets Pulp Fiction in the style of Memento!

When a gritty cop drama goes terribly wrong on the first day of shooting, the actors and director must examine the chain of events that caused the film to go spiraling out of control. After being released from the Pleasant Valley Institution for the Mentally Disturbed, Tony Shamus moves to LA to pursue an acting career. Though heavily medicated and totally without experience, things go pretty well for him. He meets a girl who happens to be a casting director and lands himself a callback for a feature film. The problem: Tony is about as exciting to watch as paint drying on a wall. But, Tony has another, darker side to his personality, a dynamic alter ego that he has been struggling to repress. When Tony decides to sacrifice sanity for success he finds himself caught up in a struggle for control with his destructive alter ego.

Carl Simple's life is in the toilet. He's engaged to a beautiful but manipulative woman who doesn't respect him, and he's been reduced to mugging people just to make ends meet. But Carl dreams of becoming an actor and he just might have a shot if he can convince his uncle Duffy to throw him a bone. See, Duffy is a small time wise guy who's using his dirty money to finance a film. After begging and pleading with him, Carl finds himself with a small, but pivotal role in the movie. Carl is ecstatic, but the part is not enough for his fiancé Beth, who has her eyes on a larger prize.

Peter Downs is a highly trained theatre actor with a diploma from Julliard and two cents to his name. After countless failed auditions, he finally decides to get a real job. But, the only gig he's qualified for is as a phone sex operator for a gay party line. When Peter's life savings is stolen, he's forced to make a decision, beat 'em or join 'em. Opportunity knocks when an unsuspecting woman drops a pocketbook full of money outside an ATM late at night. When Peter's only phone sex client, a casting director named Andrew, offers him an audition for the lead in a feature film, Peter finds himself face to face with the very woman whose purse he stole…

Marci McFadden is an up-and-coming director helming the production of her first feature. Unfortunately, the film's producer has made her an offer she can't refuse; he'll foot the bill for the film as long as she casts his nephew, who can't act. One of her actors is completely insane and she's missing her leading man. After a brutal assault at an ATM she finds herself confronted by the perpetrator, the problem is, he's perfect for the role. She decides to have her cake and eat it too, by casting him in the lead role and taking her revenge in the process. While she's focusing on how to make his life a living hell, she loses sight of the big "picture."

Hollywood is a small world and the characters of Callback find themselves constantly thrown together in the most random of ways. By the time principal photography on Bloodstain begins, they all have history together, history that lands them in a boiling cauldron of neuroses, desperation and nepotism that threatens to overtake the entire production.

Eric M. Wolfson – Director/Co-Writer

Eric has been working in theatre and film since he was nine years old. In 1998 he graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a BA in Theatre Arts and Japanese Studies. During his tenure at UCSC he wrote his first play, an adaptation of Louis De Bernieres’ Corelli's Mandolin, which he staged and starred in for his senior thesis. After working for several years as a professional actor in San Francisco, he moved to Los Angeles to found Jaffle Productions. Eric has also taken numerous classes in Los Angeles City College’s film department, in courses ranging from film theory to cinematography and editing. Since the inception of Jaffle Productions, Eric has written, directed and shot four short films, written a screenplay that was optioned by E3 Entertainment, and shot over 25 hours of an original documentary series. Eric’s strength as a director is a unique synthesis of his experience working with actors and his keen understanding of the technical elements of filmmaking.


Jason Mandl – Producer

Jason has worked as a Producer and/or Production Manager on several independent feature films, short films, commercials, and music videos. He worked as an associate producer on an independent feature entitled, “Guiana 1838,” a film that opened last September in New York with the highest per screen average in the country. He is currently in post-production for, “Tee Time” a short film that he produced. Most recently, Jason has been working as a co-producer on, “Noah’s Arc,” a new series that just signed a distribution deal with MTV. Prior to his work in entertainment industry, Jason worked as a business consultant for Deloitte Consulting after receiving his Bachelors in Business Administration from Goizueta Business School at Emory University.


Johnny Moreno – Co-Producer/Actor

Johnny became involved in the film/theatre scene over 12 years ago. As a producer, actor, assistant director and fight captain, he has worked with such companies as A.C.T, The Magic Theatre, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Four years ago Johnny came to Los Angeles to help establish Jaffle Productions. In addition to his work with Jaffle, Johnny has been employed by the award winning Encore Hollywood post-production house for the last three years. As a Vault Supervisor, Tape Assist, and a Dubber, he has gained extensive knowledge in many areas of post-production. His theatrical credits include “Mary Stuart” with the American Conservatory Theatre, “Romeo and Juliet” for the Napa Valley Shakespeare Festival, “Pentecost” with the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and Picasso in “Picasso At the Lapin Agile” for the San Jose Stage Company. In 1999, he was named one of the up and coming stage stars by the San Francisco Chronicle. He has also appeared in several short films, as well as in the upcoming feature “Eyes of the Woods.” Johnny is a graduate of the American Conservatory Theater’s Advanced Training Program.


Michael DeGood – Co-Writer/Actor

Michael DeGood has over ten years of experience in the entertainment industry. From 2001 to 2003, Michael ran 'Loose Cannons' a theatre company out of Santa Monica, where he produced directed and starred in many plays. Michael parlayed his theatrical experiences into film with his first project entitled 'Line' a documentary which he directed, shot and edited, about the performing of Israel Horovits' Pulitzer Prize winning play. Michael's next project was a short film entitled 'The Present' which he also wrote, produced and edited. In 2003 Michael conceived and produced 'Image Fest' an annual short film festival at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.


Megan Schoenbachler - Cinematographer

Megan received her Master’s degree from the American Film Institute where she received the Cort Swedlin Scholarship for outstanding work in cinematography. Megan has shot numerous projects, from music videos to feature films. Recent features include ‘Vault’ by Tritan Northstar Entertainment, ‘Unravelled’ by the Global Asylum and ‘Mind over Matter,’ a documentary about a young man’s struggle with mortality. In addition to three nationally televised EAS Nutritional Supplement Commercials for GNC, she has done extensive work for The Learning Channel, Discovery, and National Geographic Television.