Downtown Los Angeles, CA — The Regal LA Live Theater buzzed with excitement as Simmer N’Serve, a romantic comedy with a dance twist, lit up the screen for its official premiere. Created under the intense deadline of the 2024 48 Hour Film Project, the short film drew cheers, laughter, and plenty of applause — especially for newcomer Pearly Mitnasala, whose breakout performance left audiences talking.
With a now-viral voiceover moment and a scene-stealing presence, Pearly emerged as one of the most memorable faces of this year’s festival. Her performance, both on-screen and behind the mic, helped elevate Simmer N’Serve beyond its 48-hour constraints.
“It’s chaos. Beautiful, productive chaos,” Pearly said with a laugh during the post-screening Q&A. “You show up, learn your lines, build chemistry, film all day, and somewhere in between… you become a character.”
The 48-Hour Challenge
The rules of the 48 Hour Film Project are notoriously strict. Filmmakers receive their genre, prop, character, and line of dialogue at the start of the weekend. From there, they must write, cast, shoot, edit, and submit a complete short film within two days.
Pearly received her invitation to join the team Film Hero late on a Friday night — 9:00 PM to be exact. For her, a newer face in the industry, the opportunity came as a surprise.
“I almost didn’t believe it,” she recalled. “I thought no one would take a chance on a beginner. Then I got that email. They said I was perfect because I could dance — and suddenly I was Gladiolus again, just in a different rom-com universe.”
The next morning, Pearly was already on set, diving into choreography, wardrobe, and rehearsals. The cast included Milan Anderson, Darius Marquis Johnson, and Nick McCarthy, with direction by Scott McKinney. The script came from writers Phae Amara and Andrew Burks, while Sarah Reddy handled cinematography.
A Studio Twist
Just when the whirlwind weekend seemed to be over, Pearly was called into a professional voiceover studio. The team needed last-minute ADR (automated dialogue replacement), and asked her to improvise an internal monologue for her character — a dancer grappling with defeat.
“They handed me the mic, and I said, ‘What do you want me to say?’ They said, ‘Make us laugh.’ So I did.”
She delivered one unforgettable line:
“Why did you break your leg today? Tomorrow would’ve been fine.”
The line landed perfectly at the premiere, drawing loud laughter and sealing her comic timing with the audience.
A Premiere to Remember
For Pearly, the night wasn’t just a screening — it was a personal milestone. The Simmer N’Serve premiere coincided with her birthday.
“I celebrated my birthday at the Regal Theatre… watching myself on a giant screen. It doesn’t get better than that.”
Thanks to strong cast support and a wave of online votes, the film advanced to its official screening night. While it didn’t crack the Top 5 finalists, the project gained attention — and a listing on IMDb — marking a major step forward for everyone involved.
Final Take: More Than a Win
Reflecting on the experience, Pearly summed it up with sincerity: “This was my first time in a big studio, my first film festival premiere, my first voiceover role, and the first time people clapped for a joke I made up on the spot. That’s what these projects are for — not just for the win, but for the wild ride.”
Follow Actress Pearly Mitnasala on Official Sites:
https://instagram.com/readyin5mins
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15853079
