'Hollywood Just4Shorts Film and Screenplay Competition' 2017 Semi Finalist - March 2017 Best Short Film Embodiment (2016)
Although a Canadian production, the one and only theatrical run of the film in North America occurred in North Hollywood, California at the Laemmle NoHo 7 theatre from July 26 to August 1, 2019. In the prime 9:30 pm screening block.
Although the location of the entire story takes place in New York City, Writer / Director Mark Anthony Ramitt has never traveled to or visited NYC or the state of California.
While conceiving the film's overall story and three act structure with the character arc for Sterling, writer Mark Anthony Ramitt desired to pay homage to his favorite 1960s TV series, Twilight Zone (binge-watched during its TV broadcast syndication run during the 1980s). Whose famous creator and head writer, Rod Serling, inspired Mark to write in the drama-fantasy genre with unique perspectives involving strongly written protagonists and equally well-written dialogue.
For the role of the lead female character, Ashli, an actress was initially hired and signed on for after auditioning. Though the delay of the principal photography changed her involvement and commitment - not for scheduling conflicts but for a contractual reason as the actress became a full member of ACTRA (Canada's screen actors guild) which prohibited her from accepting roles and performing in non-union independent films (which this short film was classified and produced as from conception to completion).
That initial actress is a natural blonde (which the film's Producer felt provided a necessary visual aesthetic for the character and contrast with her male co-stars), and the actress who finally performed the role of Ashli is a natural brunette which Director - Mark Anthony Ramitt, visualized for that character while writing the script.