301: Enter the Exit State
Callie Schuttera and Gabriela Ledesma are the married couple behind the award-winning production company Poison Pictures. Callie is an actress, writer, and producer, known for her breakthrough role in Zach Cregger’s, WEAPONS. Gabriela is a director, writer, and producer who has directed 3 feature films, as well as multiple short films and music videos. In this interview, we dive into their new co-written and produced feature film, THE EXIT STATE.
Set in a United States spiraling toward authoritarian collapse, The Exit State follows a group of Americans fleeing south toward Mexico as violence escalates and sweeping policies turn their own country against them. Hoping to disappear quietly, the group takes refuge in what they believe is a safe house. That sense of security doesn’t last long. The shelter quickly reveals itself to be anything but safe, forcing the group to confront the horrifying reality that escape will come at a devastating and terrifying cost. Rather than leaning into speculative sci-fi tropes, the film positions its horror in recognizably modern fears.
Poison Pictures is a queer-led indie production company created by Callie and Gabriela. Their first feature, BLUE, was acquired by Gravitas Ventures and received top indie prizes, including Best Feature and Best Actor at the Austin Revolution Film Festival. Their extensive resume as a production company also includes big-budget, visually striking music videos for major artists like Ava Max and Jason Mraz.
MENTIONS:
Poison Pictures: https://www.poison-pictures.com/
The Exit State IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38453653/reference/?ref_=fn_t_1
Callie Schuttera IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3620962/?ref_=mv_close
Gabriela Ledesma IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5860037/?ref_=fn_t_1
School of Sexuality Documentary: https://givebutter.com/school-of-sexuality-documentary
'Weapons' Cast Reunites for Political Horror Thriller 'The Exit State' (Collider): https://collider.com/weapons-stars-reunion-political-horror-the-exit-state-images/
Blades of the Guardians Review: https://youtu.be/NYmV2BXixK8?si=lhLL-5Rf1Qvvg5Ut
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PRODUCERS
Executive Producers:
Stephen Koepfer
Paul Varacchi
Produced by:
Press Record Studios
-Matthew Kaplowitz
-Richard Butler
-Andrea Levine
http://www.pressrecordstudios.com
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Matthew Kaplowitz
Original music by:
Ahrue Luster
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