Double Agent Proves That Mission Impossible is Possible

LOS ANGELES, CA, May 28, 2013 (Press-News.org) Los Angeles based husband-wife and director-producer team, Jason and Lisa Sotolongo, had only one day to shoot the movie DOUBLE AGENT; an action suspense thriller about a superspy who spends his final few moments gagged and bound in the back of a truck trying to remember how he was captured and who he really is. Now the film has caught the eye of Hollywood. DOUBLE AGENT has been selected by the Dances with Films festival to open the short films competition on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 12:30PM at the Chinese Theaters in Hollywood, CA. This will be the film's world premiere, and it will be on one of the biggest stages in LA.

Jason and Lisa Sotolongo have been a director and producer team for over 12 years with their production company Affect Films. They have produced commercials for clients such as Samsung, Best Buy, DeWalt and many others. But when Jason approached Lisa about producing an action thriller short film over a weekend, Lisa said, "I thought he was kidding." In fact, most Hollywood producers would tell you that shooting an action thriller story like DOUBLE AGENT in one day is not only impossible, but foolish. "But we went in believing we could and we did," said Jason.

The movie was originally shot for the Producer's Guild weekend film competition. "We had 52 hours to develop, write, shoot and edit a film with barely a budget. Everyone on the production was a volunteer," said Lisa. The story was conceived then the screenplay written in seven hours, so Jason had no time to prepare. He would have to shoot the entire action movie all on instinct and experience.

With two cameras rolling on nearly every scene, their plan was to begin the editing process by early evening, which would be the only way to make their deadline. But then with no warning, their editor quit without ever cutting one frame. "Yeah, he threw us under a bus," said Lisa. "I tried to find a replacement editor, but it was just too late in the evening."

After an eighteen hour shoot, and with only two hours sleep, Jason was left with ten hours to cut and polish an entire movie. "Everyone worked so hard, and I didn't want to let them down," said Jason. I was going to do everything I could to finish," he continued. Cutting non-stop until the very last minute, Jason was only able to turn in a rough assembly of the film.

"I was disappointed we didn't make the deadline, but in the end, it was the best thing that could have happened," said Jason. "We decided right then and there to give it the attention and time it needed and deserved," added Lisa. With their original budget depleted, they would now have to find a way to finish the film.

"In LA, finding top notch people to work for free is nearly impossible," said Lisa. "But once again, the film seemed to have a life of its own. Everyone who saw it wanted to be a part of it. I attribute that to Jason." Within the following four months, they were able to assemble a team that helped finish the film, including color grading, graphics, effects, and sound. DOUBLE AGENT was even mixed in the Hitchcock Theater at Universal Studios. "Sound is everything in a movie, and now it sounds like we spent a fortune," said Jason.

Now, as the Dances with Films festival draws near, they can both look back at that day with fond memories. "If I had to do it all over again, I really wouldn't change a thing, even only having one day to shoot," said Jason. "It was one of those moments in life when you just go for it no matter what. I've always believed that anything is possible and after all of this, now we know it really is."

You can see the trailer and purchase tickets through the film's official website at www.doubleagentthemovie.com.

ABOUT AFFECT FILMS: Since 2001, Lisa Sotolongo, Producer and Jason Sotolongo, Director have owned and operated Affect Films, a digital and film production company based in Los Angeles, CA. The company has worked with clients such as Samsung, Best Buy, Dupont, DeWalt, ESPN, PBS, T-Mobile and many more. The award winning company specializes in television commercials, brand films, television docu-dramas and web content. They are currently in development for the feature length version of DOUBLE AGENT as well as other feature film projects. For more information, please contact us at 818-253-1247 and www.filmvideo.com.

ABOUT DANCES WITH FILMS: Since 1998 Dances With Films has grown from presenting a handful of films to nearly a hundred each year...from only narrative features and shorts to include the top documentaries and music videos on the circuit today. Dances With Films has been held each year in the heart of Los Angeles. Year 15 brought a dramatic change of venue, now held at the Chinese Theatres in the heart of Hollywood, arguably the most famous theatre in the world. DWF is one of the highest attended film fests in Southern California with more than 10,000 attendees each year. Additionally the festival is regularly tracked by industry in Los Angeles with deals made each year. More information can be found at the website www.danceswithfilms.com.