In Hello Out There, relatives attempt to establish a connection with UFOs – or at the very least, with one another.

      In "Hello Out There," director Otis Blum explores the quest for connection with extraterrestrial life and the feelings of alienation that we experience on Earth.

      “I saw parallels between reaching out to other species and those moments in life when our own families can seem completely foreign to us,” he shares with MovieMaker. “I believe that every individual holds a universe of emotions, thoughts, and experiences, and sometimes finding someone who truly understands us can feel akin to discovering life on other planets.”

      The comedy features Chloe Bennet (from "Interior Chinatown") portraying Minnie, a journalist trying to gain access to Area 51, and Phil Dunster (from "Ted Lasso") as Rex, her cousin and a punk-rock guitarist recently out of rehab. Jennifer Beals is also part of the cast.

      "Hello Out There" takes advantage of a diverse array of locations in New Mexico, making its screening this Friday at the Santa Fe International Film Festival feel like a homecoming.

      We spoke with Blum, who has experience in Broadway, film, television, and video games, about the prevalence of alien themes in contemporary culture and the importance of the actors in his story.

      Otis Blum on "Hello Out There"

      MovieMaker: What message did you aim to convey through the film? Why include the alien element?

      Otis Blum: I wanted to delve into the concept of connection. Is it feasible to connect with other beings, and if it is, how can we accomplish that? During the peak of the pandemic, I noticed a surge in alien-related stories in reputable publications like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Economist. It struck me as logical—during a time when we were, and still are, yearning for connection, we naturally started to look up and ponder if something might be looking back.

      MovieMaker: Based in Los Angeles, what was your experience filming in New Mexico? What drew you to that location, and where exactly did you shoot?

      Otis Blum: I have a deep affection for New Mexico. I've been visiting since childhood, and I have family there. I wrote this script intending to tell a story set in New Mexico, showcasing the beauty and fascinating uniqueness of this magical state. Filming there was a wonderful experience.

      Given the extensive production activities in the area, we were fortunate to have many skilled and experienced crew members who were crucial to the film's creation. We filmed in locations like Roswell, White Sands National Park, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe, with the distinctive essence of each site enhancing the movie's visual aesthetic.

      MovieMaker: At a certain point, your characters find themselves at the gates of Area 51—are those the actual gates? I thought it was impossible to get that close, which piqued my curiosity.

      Otis Blum: I'm glad you found it intriguing! Those are not the actual gates of Area 51. We examined numerous photos and had a producer visit the site to get as close as legally permissible, so we made a concerted effort to recreate it authentically. That particular scene was filmed at a private airport just outside Albuquerque. The real Area 51 is in Nevada, and I am proud to say that we filmed every scene in New Mexico!

      MovieMaker: How did you recruit your talented cast?

      Otis Blum: I sent them the script, and they expressed interest in being a part of it! When approaching them, I stressed that the film relies entirely on the actors' performances. I admire each of them as naturalistic performers—Chloe, Phil, and Jennifer don’t portray characters; they create genuine people. We began with casting Minnie, then sought the right Rex to establish the right chemistry.

      From the start, Chloe and Phil had an incredible rapport. We engaged in extensive character development and rehearsal before shooting commenced. Throughout this process, we discussed the story's themes, and each actor found some personal connection to both their character and the overarching narrative.

      We struggled to find the right Judith for a while, but Jennifer Beals joined the project just a week or two before shooting commenced, and I’m so thankful for that. I felt fortunate to have such experienced talent for my first feature.

      MovieMaker: What was the biggest challenge you faced while making this film, and how did you overcome it?

      Otis Blum: There were two significant challenges. The first was the logistical difficulties of filming across various locations in the state. I owe my production team a great deal of gratitude for adeptly juggling schedules and transportation to ensure we captured all the necessary filming sites.

      The second challenge was the unpredictable weather in New Mexico. A significant portion of the movie was shot outdoors, and the summer weather in New Mexico can be quite unpredictable. … I often found myself waking up in the middle of the night to check the weather app on my phone. Luckily, we were fortunate that the weather did not hinder our progress; we experienced only one thunderstorm delay. Although there were some extremely hot days