SPAM RISK
Synopsis
Set against the backdrop of Venice, CA during the Covid lockdown, a young widow finds herself disconnected from the world, both physically and emotionally. As she retreats further into her isolation, she receives an unexpected phone call from an unknown number.
Despite the strange circumstances, the two form an unlikely connection that challenges Petula’s solitude and offers her a lifeline back to the world.
Spam Risk is a story about loneliness and despair, but ultimately, it’s a film about resilience, connection, and the extraordinary capacity of the human spirit to overcome adversity.
Cast
Amy Rutledge
Death of April (2022)
Rent-A-Pal (2020)
Downstream (2016)
Jermain Hollman
Star Trek: Picard (2023)
The Contrast (2022)
Colony (2016)
Filmmakers
Alessa Carlino
Writer / Director
Award-winning director and multi-hyphenate creative, Alessa got her start producing underground concerts at just 15 years old, and from there her career has spanned several decades, encompassing work in both production and post-production.
She has worked in editorial on over 25 feature films, including Straw Dogs, Think Like A Man, Elf, Around The World in 80 Days, Jimmy Neutron, Godzilla, Volcano, Rocky V, and Broken Arrow. In addition, she has been involved in the production of music videos with artists such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Isaac Hayes, as well as commercial campaigns for Cherry Coke and Burger King.
Moved by the severe homelessness problem in Los Angeles, Alessa produced, directed and edited the award- winning documentary short, Going Home. It was her directorial debut.
She is currently in post-production on the narrative short, Spam Risk, starring Amy Rutledge and Jermain Hollman, and has several projects in development.
JESSICA GALLANT
Director of Photography
Jessica Gallant is an award winning cinematographer and member of the ICFC (international collective of female cinematographers). She has shot over 60 feature films and countless live punk shows over her 25 years in Los Angeles, including one feature length punk rock documentary. Jessica taught cinematography at her alma mater Columbia College for two years, has been an administrator on the CML
(www.cinematography.net) for over 20 years.
HEIDI SCHARFE, ACE
Editor
Heidi Scharfe began her editing career in low budget feature films after completing her studies at California State University Northridge. She moved into television with the Showtime Pilot (and foreign feature) Red Shoe Diaries, garnering her first nomination, and from there went on to edit the popular television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. She is known for the unscripted shows, The Amazing Race, America’s Next Top Model, and Starting Over, as well as scripted series’ Alias, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Bobby Brown Story.
In 2017 Heidi returned to feature films with The Black Prince, followed by The Trap, and the Grammy-winning documentary, Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice, for which Heidi received an American Cinema Editor (Eddie) nomination.
daphne teng
Production Manager
Born and raised in Taiwan, Daphne worked on some of the most popular TV dramas in Taiwan before moving to Los Angeles to continue growing her career in Hollywood. With nearly 20 years of film production experience on projects in Asia and the States, she has participated in various award-winning projects, including features, short films, documentaries, and more. Besides physical productions, Daphne has also been associated with the Entertainment Education institution and operated many successful international filmmaking programs.