A young man befriends a condom company’s customer service rep as he awaits his HIV test results.

Interview with Writer/Director Jerell Rosales

Watch Please Hold on Prime Video

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

A directing mentor once told me: “Tell the story you’re most afraid to tell.” That’s what I did. I was most afraid to explore my intimate fears of sex, HIV, and loneliness. At the time I also wanted to explore what real and true connection meant today and how even something as simple as an unrelated customer service representative over the phone can have a more impactful connection with you than your own family. I made the film because I was scared to make something so intimate and personal – and I’m glad I did.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Watch it because you want to get to know someone and get a glimpse into their innermost thoughts, fears, hopes and wishes. Hopefully you see some aspect of yourself in the main character of this film, someone who you may have had nothing in common with, but you can truly feel empathy for.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The many themes in this film are portrayed through very specific actions, behavior, and inner thoughts that we’re privy to. Themes such as loneliness, fear of death, or feeling unlovable — to name a few — present itself throughout. Though they come about for a very specific person in a specific situation, these themes are feelings and emotions that all walks of life experience. We all go through heartbreak, we all feel lonely, at some point we all fear some aspect of death. They’re universal themes that everyone relates to in some way.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

There’s actually a cut alternate ending — that I won’t give away in respect to not giving away the current ending. Otherwise, the film was shot and edited exactly as written.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I’ve had many people — gay, straight, and everything in between — see some aspect of themselves in it. It’s always nice to know when audiences tell you that they’ve become emotionally invested.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

That more people see it… and are moved in some way.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Word of mouth is always the most powerful in my own humble opinion — especially for this kind of film.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

That they’re moved in some way.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

My directorial feature film debut, High School Lover — starring James Franco, François Arnaud, Paulina Singer, Lana Condor, Tyler Alvarez, and Julia Jones — premiered on the Lifetime Network and is available on-demand via iTunes and Amazon or on DVD through Lionsgate home video.

Interview: December 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Please Hold

A young man befriends a condom company’s customer service rep as he awaits his HIV test results.

Length: 15 minutes

Director: Jerell Rosales

Producer: Aaron Edmonds, Travis Marshall

Writer: Jerell Rosales

About the writer, director and producer: Jerell Rosales is an award-winning writer/director whose films have been officially selected at nearly 70 film festivals worldwide. His most recent work is the feature film High School Lover for Lifetime/A&E starring James Franco and François Arnaud. He has an MFA in directing from UCLA.

Key cast: Mike Ball, Ben Warner

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Social media handles:

Facebook: facebook.com/pleaseholdmovie

Watch it on Seed&Spark: https://www.seedandspark.com/watch/please-hold