At Stake: Vampire Solutions

In the gritty, small-town streets of North Mississippi, local filmmaker Evan Shandling is on a mission to capture the human side of the economy's devastating impact on local businesses. As a senior film student, he has decided to tackle this complex issue head-on by documenting the lives of those who have been hit the hardest – the vampire removal professionals of At Stake: Vampire Solutions (AS:VS). Evan's journey takes him south, deeper into the heart of rural Mississippi, where he is met with a mix of curiosity and caution by the residents of the small towns he encounters. He arrives at the AS:VS compound, a rundown, weathered shack that serves as the makeshift headquarters for the vampire removal business. The team, led by the enigmatic and rough-riding Jake, is skeptical at first about Evan's intentions, but eventually warms up to the eager filmmaker. As Evan delves deeper into the world of vampire removal, he is struck by the raw danger that comes with the job. The team faces numerous risks, from feral vampires that have abandoned their natural aversion to sunlight to those that have been radicalized and are determined to spread terror and chaos. Despite the risks, the team at AS:VS remains committed to their work, driven by a sense of duty to protect their community. Through a series of grueling calls, Evan witnesses firsthand the team's bravery and quick thinking as they face off against vicious vampires. From the initial reconnaissance to the final showdown, each call is a high-stakes gamble that requires precision and skill. The team's camaraderie and communication are crucial to their success, and Evan is struck by the bond that has formed between Jake, Samantha (the resident 'science nerd'), and Mark (the company's ace 'vampire wrangler'). Throughout the documentary, Evan's presence is both a blessing and a curse for the AS:VS team. On the one hand, his presence allows them to share their story with a wider audience, highlighting the challenges they face in keeping their business afloat. On the other hand, his presence also raises questions about the legitimacy of their work and the risks they take on a daily basis. As the team navigates the complex web of vampire politics and local authorities, they often find themselves walking a thin line between being seen as heroes and being viewed with suspicion. As the days turn into weeks, Evan grows increasingly invested in the lives of the AS:VS team. He becomes a fly on the wall, observing their internal struggles and conflicts as they grapple with the pressures of their job. He witnesses Samantha's quiet strength as she pushes the team to adopt innovative methods to tackle the increasingly violent vampires. He sees Mark's cockiness and bravado hide a deep-seated vulnerability, and he begins to understand Jake's enigmatic persona as the team's quiet, unassuming leader. The documentary also raises questions about the economic motivations behind the vampire removal business. Why do people turn to AS:VS when local authorities are supposed to handle supernatural threats? The answer lies in the complexities of small-town economies, where local businesses are often forced to rely on themselves for resources and support. AS:VS serves as a crucial lifeline for these communities, providing services that the authorities cannot or will not. As the documentary reaches its climax, Evan and the AS:VS team face off against a particularly ferocious gang of radicalized vampires. In a heart-stopping, adrenaline-fueled sequence, the team puts everything on the line to take down the vampires and restore order to the city. The stakes are higher than ever before, and the outcome hangs precariously in the balance. In the aftermath of the confrontation, Evan reflects on the lessons he's learned from the AS:VS team. He realizes that the vampire removal business is more than just a job – it's a symbol of community and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. As he departs from North Mississippi, Evan carries with him a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes of the vampire removal business and the human stories that lie behind the supernatural threats they face. The documentary ends on a poignant note, as Evan returns to his Memphis film school, armed with a newfound sense of purpose and a compelling story that challenges the conventional wisdom about the economy's impact on local businesses.