DISCOUNT DOUG | Omeleto

A voice actor works. Douglas Buckles lives in central California, working as a voice actor for radio ads. He's best known as "Discount Doug," the loud, energetic and tough-guy voice of the ads for a local car dealership. Doug's biggest job of the year for the dealership is the ad for the "super sale" event on New Year's Eve. But when Doug goes into the recording studio while dealing with a personal crisis, he falters on the job, calling his entire career -- and more -- into question. Directed and written by Joshua Nathan, this empathetic short dramedy captures a man at a moment when it all falls apart, and the tidy compartments of work and personal life can no longer remain separate. Doug has staked his career and livelihood as the distinctive, highly animated voice for the ads of a local car dealership, and his delivery is more "monster truck" than "compact SUV." That high energy has made him something of a local celebrity and earned him a living. But as Doug deals with a personal crisis, his reputation and career are challenged when he can't perform as expected. Filmed with a straightforward naturalism, the narrative is essentially one of personal disintegration, handled with both heart and low-key humor, found in the over-the-top silliness of the ad itself and the quirky characters that Doug interacts with. With terrific economy and storytelling clarity, the writing lays out the growing tension of the situation, as Doug just can't summon the animation and energy that the car dealership owner, Todd, is used to. As Doug is upbraided for his lack of energy, he slowly falls apart, irritating Todd, who threatens to call another voice actor in. The film rests on a stellar performance by actor Don DiPetta, whose portrayal of Doug is emotionally grounded, immediate and raw when it matters most. He's a salt-of-the-earth character, a hard-working father trying to do right by all the people in his life, but when he faces a heartwrenching event, he pushes it aside to get through the day. But as he learns, he can't avoid his heartache anymore -- it bleeds into everything he does. But in finally talking about it and facing it -- with the help of an unexpected source of support -- he also finds a reason to keep going. Compelling, low-key quirky and poignant, DISCOUNT DOUG is relatable to anyone who's had to keep going, even when all you want to do is fall apart. We can't escape difficult emotion; try as we might to avoid it through busyness escapism, it catches up to us, eventually. With some openness of heart and honesty, Doug discovers his way to get through the day, integrating his inner and outer lives, working his way through his pain and sorrow and finding a way to achieve catharsis and meaning. DISCOUNT DOUG. Courtesy of Joshua Nathan at https://joshuazevnathan.com.