COMMUNITY

Chandler filmmaker debuts new movie

BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Just like many others, Chandler filmmaker Mitesh Patel is ready to move on from COVID-19. He made three films during the pandemic that were all related in some way to the coronavirus.

Now, he’s ready to have some fun. Patel debuted his newest film to a packed house June 29 at the LOOK Dinein Cinemas in Chandler. “Instant Karma” tells the story of a young couple learning about both the good, and bad sides of karma. He’s also close to releasing his next film, “Woman in the Maze,” which is about getting lost inside a cursed house.

That’s quite a change from his three previous films, the documentary “COVID-19 vs. Arizona: Our Stories;” and Chandler filmmaker Mitesh Patel greeted guests at the premiere of his new film “Instant Karfeature films “Anti Corona Virus” and ma” at LOOK Dine-in Cinema in Chandler last month. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer) “House of Quarantine.”

“We did it because I think it was a big topic ... and people were scared, so that’s why I created “Anti Corona Virus,” just to keep people away from all this stuff going on,” said Patel, who is the president and director of Chandler’s International Film Festival. “But then, you know, we realized that it’s not going to be forever ... we needed to go to the different direction.”

Patel calls “Instant Karma” a fantasy film and was pleased with the reaction he received from its debut. The film will be available to rent and stream on multiple platforms, including Amazon Prime and Apple’s iTunes store.

Patel is the producer, writer and director of the film. That’s a role that he prefers.

“The reason I do it, is because I want to make sure everything is good,” he said. “When I’m depending on somebody, then it’s kind of like I’m not sure that I’m going to get what I want. So I make sure … they’re doing the right job.”

Patel says he likes the freedom he gets as an independent filmmaker. He can seeKARMA page 29

East Valley foundation aids another ‘Armer Kid’

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA

Arizonan Contributor

Brooks Pallan is only 3 1/2 and already the Chandler toddler has undergone multiple chemotherapy treatments.

The third child of Taylor and Kate Pallan faces treatment for Brooks’ B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia that could take three years or more.

Ahwatukee-based Armer Foundation for Kids has stepped in to help the Pallans, who began this tumultuous journey on March 12. Brooks is the newest “Armer Kid” for whom the foundation is raising funds.

The Armer Foundation’s mission is to be there when health insurance is not enough to help, assisting families with copays, premiums, deductibles, and out-ofpocket expenses.

To accomplish its mission, the foundation relies on donations through ArmerFoundation.org and by selling household goods, clothing and shoes at their charity thrift store at 9830 S. 51st St., Ahwatukee.

Their major fundraiser, its third annual gala, will be held 5-10 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Ashley Castle, 1300 Price Road, Chandler. All fundraising by the nonprofit is done to ease parents’ financial burden so as they care for their children with chronic or life-altering diseases.

Taylor Pallan said he and his wife – the former 2004 Desert Vista High School alumna Kate Rook – are “shattered and oftentimes overwhelmed by the journey ahead.” They have two other children, Ellie, 7, and Jack, 5.

They not only can use the donations made to their family through The Armer Foundation for Kids but also look for help from a higher power.

“We would appreciate prayers for Brooks’ treatment and that God would continue to provide our family with His strength,” Taylor posted on the Armer Foundation’s website.

Kate, who was a special education elementary school teacher in California and Chandler before transitioning to a stay-athome mom two years ago, said the nearly 4-month-old journey has been “a steep learning curve.”

But like her husband, she is thankful for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital – their “home away from home.” She also feels blessed to have the availability of the Phoenix Children’s East Valley Specialty Care Center on E. Southern Avenue in Mesa.

It is here that Brooks can receive chemo infusion and spinal taps while receiving physical therapy at the PCU outpatient location at Mercy Gilbert hospital.

“It’s a much easier drive for us than driving 40 to 50 minutes into Phoenix,” said Kate, a south Chandler resident who grew up in Ahwatukee.

Brooks’ parents agree the chemo treatments especially take their toll on their toddler.

“Some of the drugs cause him to lose his gross motor skills and suffer through nerve pain,” said Taylor. “Brooks’ treatment will be about three years with numerous hospital stays and clinic visits.”

Seeing the changes the disease and his treatments have wreaked on their youngest son have been heart-wrenching.

“Before Brooks’ diagnosis, he was super active, yet at one point he couldn’t walk across the house; he had to be carried. He seeARMER page 29

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JULY 10, 2022 KARMA from page 28 break the rules whenever he wants and doesn’t have to answer to some big studio. That does make it harder to get his films before the public. “We are not under pressure with some big studio, we just do what we love to do,” he said. “We’re not spending too much money, so we’re playing a safe game here, and we are still able to show what we want to show. That’s the beauty we have as an independent filmmaker, we can show anything we want, we don’t have restrictions. So I love that.” With “Instant Karma” now available to stream, Patel can focus on his next film, “Woman in the Maze.” He said the setting in Jerome, Arizona was perfect to build the suspense he wanted in this film. Patel said he’s hoping to debut it on Halloween, and release it in early 2023. “I’m gonna wait a little bit longer,” Patel said. “It's definitely the next level of filmmaking for me.” Patel said he delayed the release dates for both of his new films because he wanted to get the right deals in place for the distribution of the movies. “I kept it for a while because I was looking for better distribution deal on this,” Patel said. “I pitched it to so many companies and finally I found the best one for this one.” Guests took red carpet photos at the premiere of Mitesh Patel’s new fi lm, “Instant Karma.”

(David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

ARMER���� page 28

has access to a walker should he choose to use it,” Kate said. “Even with the chemo, he’s pretty amazing. Brooks’ siblings also earn the adjective from their parents. “Our other two kiddos have been amazing during this time. Although their lives changed in a blink of an eye, they seem to be doing well and learning true empathy by watching their little brother tackle this mountain,” said Taylor, a project manager for a general contractor. As with other families who are blindsided by unexpected hospitalizations or children suddenly diagnosed with diseases, The Armer Foundation has been there to help in any way possible. “It’s more than just helping us with bills, though that’s been so wonderful especially in the first months when there were a lot of expensive tests and procedures. Jennifer is always contacting us asking what they can do for us. So it’s that emotional support, too,” said Kate, referring to Jennifer, who founded the foundation with her husband Matt, and runs Armer Air with him as well.

For more information on Brooks and other Armer Kids and how to help, visit armerfoundation.org.

Chandler woman receives AC company’s first award

ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

PriceMyAC.com, a technology-driven HVAC company has named a Chandler woman one of its “Making the World a Cooler Place” awards program honoring “ordinary citizens who humbly and quietly make impact through community service, volunteering and philanthropy.” Machel Considine, a longtime Rotary Club member, won the award, which PriceMyAC CEO said is “meant to be meaningful and demonstrate our company’s culture and ongoing dedication to community support, as well as a deep and personal pride in recognizing citizens who make an impact through their efforts. “There is more to running a company than making a profit. We care deeply about our community and the people who make it great,” he said. Custom designed by artist Debra Lee Murrow, founder COLORME Art Spa, the award reflects values that Considine values, the company said. “Social justice and education are at the core of my being,” said Considine. In its first year, “Making the World a Cooler Place” award program will recognize two citizens for their contributions and community service. In 2023, the program will grow to honor four citizens and present the awards on a quarterly basis. Eventually, the company plans to honor a recipient each month. PriceMyAC.com boasts that it is the only AC company in Arizona with a 100% transparent pricing on new system installations.

Chandler resident Machel Considine, second from left, is fl anked by PriceMyAC.com CEO John Lamont, left, and Vice President Jodi Zimmerman with COLORME spa founder Debra Lee Morrow on the far right. (Special to the Arizonan)

Got News? Got News? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.comContact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com