Tara Hotchkis’ filmmaking experience dates back to her teenage years, with a mentorship under Emmy Award-winning director/producer Walter C. Miller. She has worked on numerous award shows, such as the Grammy Awards and the People’s Choice Awards, and worked for Sony Pictures on marketing campaigns for such releases as Men in Black and Spider-man. Tara executive produced Chasers, which made its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and its Los Angeles premiere at Slamdance Film Festival on February 21, 2025, alongside her other works Tacocunr (development producer) and Muted (writer/producer). Chasers is also an official selection of the Oscar-qualifying Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, with its Bay Area premiere scheduled for March 23, 2025.
Jenna Reilly is an LA-based actor and writer with a background in drama and comedy. She’s appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden and wrote and performed for a house sketch team for two years at The Second City Hollywood. She’s also a founding member of the all-female sketch group, Bad Sass. Jenna wrote, directed, and starred in Mars 2060: The Colony Files, a fictional podcast series with over 40,000 downloads. Together, alongside producer Erin Brown Thomas, Tara Hotchkis and Jenna Reilly have created Muted, a short film about Rebecca (Kelsey Gunn) and Alex (Jon Snow), a disconnected couple in crisis discovering the bizarre new powers of their television remote.
Tara Hotchkis & Jenna Reilly: How did you two first begin working together?
In a Zoom brainstorming session, the 60-second short film Muted was born. Tara Hotchkis (writer/producer) pitched the initial idea for the film, and Erin Brown Thomas (producer) and I were immediately excited about the idea and all its potential. I gravitated toward the concept of a fight that escalates to silence caused by the supernatural force of a TV remote. As a sci-fi lover, that little piece of magic hit fast forward in my mind to all the different places this story could go.
Jenna Reilly: What are creators or filmmakers who have inspired you throughout the years?
Projects by J.J. Abrams, Eric Kripke, and Amy Sherman-Palladino inspire me with their pairing of compelling situations and deep, meaningful relationships. I love that their stories are filled with heart and humor. I’ve also recently become obsessed with Smile and Smile 2 by Parker Finn. Those films have changed the game as far as what’s possible with horror – a genre I already loved!
Tara Hotchkis: Filmmaking is all about collaboration, and the two of you have praised each other’s work ethic and vision. What’s your dynamic like with each other on set? How do you combine your creative intuitions when pitching and filming?
Jenna Reilly (director/writer) and I have a really natural and fluid creative dynamic. From the very beginning, we’ve shared a mutual respect for each other’s instincts and storytelling sensibilities, which makes collaboration feel effortless. We’re both deeply passionate about exploring human connection and emotional nuance, so we approach every project with the same goal—to tell an honest, compelling story in the most visually and emotionally impactful way. On set, that trust translates into a seamless workflow. Jenna, as a director, has such a sharp eye for detail and a gift for pulling the best performances out of our actors, while I love shaping the layers of the story and making sure every moment feels authentic. We both stay open to each other’s ideas, and because we know each other’s strengths, we can lean into them to make the best creative choices. When pitching and filming, we approach everything with a sense of curiosity and play. We bounce ideas off each other constantly, refining them until we land on something that excites us both. It’s all about pushing each other to dig deeper while staying flexible and letting the story guide us. That balance of trust, structure, and spontaneity is what makes working together so rewarding.
Tara Hotchkis: Tara, you are no stranger to the major festival circuit. Tacocunr and Chasers are both set to make appearances at Slamdance, with Chasers having already premiered at Sundance. Your latest work, Muted, is also set for a Slamdance debut. What does it feel like being included in such events? What are your aspirations beyond Sundance and Slamdance with your productions?
Being included in major film festivals like Sundance and Slamdance is such an incredible honor. These festivals champion bold, independent voices, and it’s beyond rewarding to have Muted, Chasers, and Tacocunr recognized on this stage. When I found out that three of my projects would screen at Slamdance—right on the heels of Chasers premiering at Sundance—it felt surreal, definitely a dream come true! None of this would be possible without the incredible teams behind each of these projects. Filmmaking is such a collaborative art, and I’m deeply grateful for the talented actors who brought these characters to life with such depth and nuance, the directors who shaped the vision, and the writers who built these stories from the ground up. Our cinematographers and camera operators played a huge role in crafting the visual language that makes each film so impactful, and our producers, editors, sound designers, and the entire cast and crew poured their hearts and souls into every detail. Their dedication, creativity, and hard work are what make these films resonate with audiences, and I’m so proud to share this moment with them. Beyond Sundance and Slamdance, my aspirations are to continue pushing the boundaries of storytelling as both a writer and producer through the festival circuits, streaming platforms, and television. I want to create work that sparks conversation and leaves a lasting impact—whether by developing Muted into a feature film, joining Erin Brown Thomas’ new feature project The Body of Chris as a producer, or championing new voices in filmmaking. My goal is to build a body of work that stays with people long after the credits roll.
Tara Hotchkis: What can you tell us about Chasers, an aptly named “traumedy” that you served as executive producer on?
Chasers has been one of my favorite projects! It’s a 31-minute single-continuous-shot pilot, directed & created by Erin Brown Thomas. We had our world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2025 and our Los Angeles premiere at Slamdance in February. In the pilot “Oner,” we follow the lead, Sophia, played by the extremely talented Ciarra Krohne (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Erin Brown Thomas), as she plays a starry-eyed musician navigating her way through a Hollywood house party filled with hopeful dreamers chasing empty promises. As Sophia chases her crush, played by the brilliant Louie Chapman, she is desperately dodging a heartbreaking secret that could shatter her pursuit. As a continuing series, Chasers will follow a diverse group of aspiring artists in Los Angeles as they navigate the relentless compromises of pursuing success, belonging, and authenticity. Through the little white lies they tell themselves the series explores the sacrifices and self-deception that give their struggles—and exploitation—purpose. Erin Brown Thomas is a creative genius, and I am so grateful to her for bringing me on. The entire cast and crew of Chasers are incredible. Fifty-four of us made the journey to Sundance to celebrate the Chasers premiere together- it was an amazing experience! We all have a WhatsApp text group where we still chat daily- we’ve become a family!
Tara Hotchkis & Jenna Reilly: Muted is the perfect example of short but sweet. What gave you two the idea to write the screenplay?
Last summer, my wife and I (Tara) were on a family vacation when I noticed two of our nieces sitting together on the sofa—not talking, just scrolling through their phones, occasionally glancing up at the TV. It struck me how, even in shared spaces, we can feel disconnected from the people right next to us. That moment sparked the idea to explore the loneliness that can exist within relationships, the feeling of not being heard or understood, and how technology, designed to bring us closer, can sometimes create even more distance. Once the idea took hold, I pitched it to Jenna. She immediately said, “I love it—let’s write it!” and started adding her own layers to the story. From there, Muted came to life.
Tara Hotchkis & Jenna Reilly: Not only is Muted well-conceptualized, but it’s incredibly well-acted and shot. How did you go about finding the right talent for the short?
Casting was such a crucial part of bringing Muted to life because the entire story hinges on the emotional depth and chemistry between Rebecca and Alex. We needed actors who could convey so much with just a look, a silent moment, or a shift in body language—since the film explores miscommunication and emotional distance in such a unique way. Kelsey Gunn and Jon Snow were the perfect fit. Not only are they both incredibly talented actors, but they also have a natural dynamic on screen that made their performances feel deeply authentic. Kelsey brings such a grounded vulnerability to Rebecca, while Jon has this amazing ability to balance intensity with restraint, which was key for Alex. From the moment they stepped into these roles, they fully understood the emotional undercurrents driving their characters, and their chemistry made every scene come alive. Beyond the actors, we were also incredibly lucky to have the talented Dominic López as our cinematographer. Dominic and Kelsey are engaged! Once we cast Kelsey, we found out that her fiancé was a DP and asked if he would consider shooting the project. We’re so fortunate he came onboard, because he brought so much experience and knowledge to set. He had great ideas for everything from the lighting, to set design, and shot composition. The way Muted is shot plays a huge role in its storytelling—framing the distance between the characters, using light and shadow to mirror their isolation, and making the silence feel just as loud as their words. Every person on set brought a level of artistry that elevated the film’s tone and visual impact. Finding the right talent—both in front of and behind the camera—was about more than just skill; it was about finding collaborators who truly understood the heart of the story. We couldn’t have asked for a better team to bring Muted to life!
Jenna Reilly: Jenna, Muted was your directorial debut. Did you feel any pressure going into the project? What was your state of mind on set and when you finally wrapped the project?
I feel very fortunate that the project came together so quickly because there wasn’t any spare time to worry! I definitely felt some pressure to do a good job, but that’s because every member of our team was so kind and talented, I wanted to make something we could all be proud of. Once we were on set, we all worked so well together – another element I’m grateful for. I immediately felt a sense of collaboration and support, and that took away any concerns I had. I felt so confident that with this group of people, we were going to make something great. That feeling carried through to the final shot.
Jenna Reilly: Jenna, having had this experience directing and now being part of major film festivals, what are your future dreams of directing?
I have big dreams – I always have! I’d love to write and direct feature films, particularly sci-fi and paranormal stories with badass female leads. Right now, I’m working on writing a couple different zombie projects (I’m a fan of the undead!). Tara has had such creative ideas about turning Muted into a feature or TV show, so I’m also excited for us to keep building those projects, and I’d love to eventually direct them, whichever route we choose.
Jenna Reilly: There are short films, and there are short shorts. Muted comes in at just under a minute, making every second essential to create an impact. What were the challenges you faced while editing or filming?
First, it took several bold attempts just to cut the script down enough! Even then, we had to be very conscious while filming of not sitting in any moment for too long. We got these beautiful takes of Kelsey and Jon really living in the big emotional moments. And then we’d have to do them again, but faster! We also had important conversations on set deciding which moments we could let breathe a little to benefit the story, and which moments had to be fast. Once we were in editing, we still had too much footage. Luckily, we had a great editor – Joe Siebert – who was able to cut out a third of the script and still maintain the integrity of the story and relationship between the characters.
Tara Hotchkis & Jenna Reilly: What can we expect in a potential feature-length and episodic version of Muted after its big Slamdance premiere?
The Slamdance premiere is just the beginning for Muted. Expanding it into a feature-length film or episodic series would allow us to dive even deeper into its thematic elements—exploring not just the couple at the center of the story but the broader implications of technology, communication, and human disconnection. In a feature-length version, we’d push the concept further, introducing new layers to the world where silence is both a weapon and a refuge. We’d explore how this couple’s relationship unravels under the weight of miscommunication and whether they can find their way back to each other—or if the silence consumes them entirely. For an episodic take, Muted blends the surreal intensity of Black Mirror with the relationship-driven storytelling of The Leftovers. We envision an anthology-style series where different characters experience the muting phenomenon in unique ways—some humorous, some unsettling, all thought-provoking. Each episode could tackle a different aspect of modern communication and isolation, from social media to artificial intelligence to the unintended consequences of tech dependence, weaving interpersonal drama with supernatural suspense. At its core, Muted is about what happens when we stop listening to each other and whether we can truly reconnect before it’s too late. We’re excited to see where this concept could go and how audiences respond to it!
