{"id":1229,"date":"2015-12-17T19:18:52","date_gmt":"2015-12-17T13:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/?p=1229"},"modified":"2015-12-17T19:21:02","modified_gmt":"2015-12-17T13:21:02","slug":"48-hour-film-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/48-hour-film-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"48 Hour Film Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

A secret plot, a group of friends on a mission, days that never end, and sleep deprivation.<\/p>\n

Now that might be the oddest opening line I’ve written to a post… \u00a0Yet it is an accurate description of a yearly occurrence in my life.<\/p>\n

How It All Started<\/h2>\n

It all started back in college. \u00a0A friend brought to my attention a fun new competition\u00a0they heard of – the 48 Hour Film Project<\/a>. \u00a0The premise: you have 48 hours to produce a 4 to 7 minute film. \u00a0At the beginning of the 48 hours you will be provided with three things:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. A genre that the movie must fit into<\/li>\n
  2. A character name and description that must be a part of he movie<\/li>\n
  3. A prop that you must incorporate into the movie<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So my friends and I mulled over this idea for a few days… \u00a0Should we or shouldn’t we… \u00a0All of us had been apart of a 50 hour trivia competition for several years, so the aspect of an action packed sleepless weekend was nothing new to us. \u00a0And we were all just finishing our video production college degrees and were no strangers to cameras, acting, or editing. \u00a0So I’m not sure what our hesitation was, but in the back of my mind I knew this was something we had to do. \u00a0So as the registration deadline drew near, we made a pact that we would do this.<\/p>\n

    And so our registration form went in for what sounded like a fun competition. \u00a0What I didn’t know at the time is that this would turn into a 6 years of producing films for me. \u00a0This became a competition that kind of defined who I was for a while – people who hadn’t seen me in a while would ask about how the film went as soon as they greeted me.<\/p>\n

    My Role in the 48 Hour Film Project<\/h2>\n

    For the first year, and most of the subsequent years, I assumed the role of producer (among others – small crews and short deadlines lend to you wearing lots of hats). \u00a0For those of you not overly familiar with film production, the producer is the equivalent of a manager in a sense. \u00a0While most of the crew were working during the 48 hour production period, I started weeks prior preparing what I could. \u00a0It was my job to figure out where all of our equipment would come from. \u00a0It was my job to ensure we had enough crew and cast committed to show up that weekend. \u00a0We needed a musician(s) that can provide a custom soundtrack for the film. \u00a0We also needed locations that we had approval to shoot at, costumes available, food to feed everyone, places to catch some quick cat naps, etc. \u00a0It was my job to organize all of this while we have no idea what the story is that we are shooing! \u00a0So it becomes a classic game of prepare for anything.<\/p>\n

    During the film production time, I typically played the role of a stand in actor, crew member moving lights, props, etc. \u00a0I spent a lot of time on the phone keeping everything organized – finding the next location, props, people we didn’t think we’d need for stand in actors, etc. \u00a0At times we had filming happening at two locations at once, so staying in touch with what is happening where.\u00a0 Ensuring that we are moving at a\u00a0pace that ensures we finish the film in the allotted time was always one of my biggest roles.<\/p>\n

    \"Director<\/a>
    Director George Sirbasku and I discuss the film production during the 2006 Minneapolis 48 Hour Film Project<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    George filled the role as director year after year – it was his job to work with the crew and actors during the production. \u00a0He was so used to me barking at him about timelines that I’m quite certain he stopped listening to me. \u00a0He was too focused on ensuring everything was perfect – lights were falling where they should, the actor delivered their line perfectly, the movement in the frame was as it should be, etc. \u00a0George upholds a quality level that Hollywood should envy and he does not waver from his standards. \u00a0I have the utmost respect for George and he eye for detail – but we only have 48 hours!!!<\/p>\n

    \"The<\/a>
    Director George Sirbasku closely monitors the shot performed by camera man Scott Wittrock during the production of the 2008 48 Hour Film.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Lights, Camera, Action<\/h2>\n

    The 48 hour production time starts on a Friday at 7pm. \u00a0There is a registration location that we sent a team member to. \u00a0He pulls our teams genre out of a hat. He is also given a sealed envelope that has the character and prop that we need to work into the film. \u00a0In a crowded noisy room he makes a phone call to me to pass the information along – this registration location is about 1 1\/2 hours away from where we are producing the film. \u00a0With this information the action now begins.<\/p>\n

    \"48<\/a>
    The producer of the Minneapolis 48 Hour Film 2007, Ira Livingston, fills in the awaiting teams the critical information they need to ensure their films make it into the competition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The Script<\/h3>\n

    We start with a round of brainstorming. \u00a0What should the story be about? \u00a0How does the required\u00a0character fit into the story? \u00a0Where is the prop going to be used? \u00a0How critical to the story should these items be? \u00a0Since it is a competition the more integrated these elements are the better your chances at a prize, but working them in can prove to be a challenge at times. \u00a0For example, how does DJ Frank Mooney fit into a Western? \u00a0(You can see how we figured it out by watching Ace of Clubs<\/a> – 2006.)<\/p>\n

    With brainstorming done, we let the script writing team go to work. \u00a0We’ve tried various mixes for the script team from one writer to three writers, even including one that assisted via Skype. \u00a0The rest of the team is gets kind of bored during this time until the first draft comes out. \u00a0The writers bring a first draft, we mull it over and make changes where needed. \u00a0It doesn’t have to be perfect just yet – more or less an outline of the story. \u00a0This is a crucial point for two reasons – the writers can really go to work making this a well flushed out script now, and the rest of the team can start to organize the rest of the weekend. \u00a0At this point we know what locations are needed, what costumes should look like, what set pieces and\/or props need to be acquired or built, etc. \u00a0The production crew can start to look at camera angles, determine where lights will be, prep for sound recording, etc. \u00a0This now starts the “rush rush rush” time!<\/p>\n

    \"Hair<\/a>
    Actress Julia (Hemminger) Mehr is getting her hair and makeup done for the 48 Hour Film, 2008.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The Shoot<\/h3>\n

    Over the years we have tried multiple strategies. \u00a0We did shoots with a LOT of locations (bad idea) and we did some films that only used one studio location and we built a full set. \u00a0We have done multiple camera crews and only one camera crew. \u00a0Really the script set the tone for that, but also as time went on we tried to control that as much as possible. \u00a0Again, we only have 48 hours to produce the film and 4-7 minutes to tell the entire story. \u00a0Personally, I still am impressed by the entire team on the years that we built in-studio sets. \u00a0They were rather elaborate and made the scene perfect. \u00a0We were able to throw them together in hours – I’m still super impressed. \u00a0To be honest, from what I remember too I told some of the crew we needed a set built and what it should look like. \u00a0And they ran off. \u00a0A few hours later I go to see how it’s going and expect them to just be pulling pieces together, yet instead I find that it’s nearly done and being painted. \u00a0I’m still not sure how it all came together, but it did and it was awesome.<\/p>\n

    \"The<\/a>
    The crew starts to build the set for the 48 Hour Film in 2007. This set needed to be a scifi space ship. You can’t see it quite yet, but the pieces are there for a perfect set to shoot on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Once the script is complete, approved, and finalized we need to get in front of the camera’s as fast as possible. \u00a0By this time the actors\/actresses have had a chance to figure out wardrobe and props as necessary. \u00a0The final printing of the script invokes the next surge of go go go!!! \u00a0We need to get to our shooting locations, setup camera and lighting gear, get organized and get shooting. \u00a0As with any production, multiple takes per scene and shot are done, and done until the are perfect. \u00a0Our director wouldn’t have it any other way, which is a good thing. \u00a0Until we are half way through the shoot in terms of time and only a fourth of the way through the shoot in terms of the script. \u00a0Yes, it’s happened.<\/p>\n

    \"Director<\/a>
    Director George Sirbasku gives direction to the actors on where he’d like them to be and what emotions he expects from them during a scene for our teams 2007 submission to the 48 Hour Film Project.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
    \"The<\/a>
    The camera crew prepares the equipment to be mounted on a car hauling trailer that will be towed around during the shoot in the 2011 production of our teams 48 Hour Film.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
    \"Preparing<\/a>
    This very unique looking setup allows for us to get highly controlled moving camera shots. With the car and camera on a trailer, bumps and vibrations are drastically reduced while allowing for great moving car shots. The black cloth draped over the car allows for control of light, reflections and shadows. The end result is perfect moving car shots! Props to my crew for coming up with this concept, and Joe’s Auto Wrecking of St. Joseph MN for the use of the trailer.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

    The Edit<\/h3>\n

    The next step is to turn all of the footage shot and turn it into something that looks like a completed film. \u00a0That means it’s time to wake up our video editor. \u00a0Or in the case of the years where I produced and edited, it’s time for me to figure out how I’m going to stay up for yet another 20 hours when I’ve been up just as long by this point.<\/p>\n

    \"The<\/a>
    I’m reviewing a scene during the editing of our 48 Hour Film for 2011. Ensuring we have the proper take is just as critical as having the proper timing in relation to the shots before and after it. Likewise, it’s critical to ensure the color through out an entire scene matches perfectly.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The sooner we get the editor started in the process the better. \u00a0This allows for extended shooting time, less stress on the editor, and more time to put in some of the finer touches and any special effects or animations that may be required. \u00a0So as soon as a few scenes have been shot we run the footage back to the editor. \u00a0This process really worked great. \u00a0It’s something we sadly didn’t implement in our first year and we can only account that to being a “rookie mistake”.<\/p>\n

    Review<\/h3>\n

    Once the shoot has been done the director gets a chance to take a break and a much deserved nap. \u00a0For a few hours only though… \u00a0This gives the editor time to finish up his work and put the last few scenes\/shots into place, apply any final color correction\u00a0or effects, tweak the timing of shots till they are just right, etc. \u00a0Once it’s done and polished up, the director and producer and any others that are still awake join the editor to review the film. \u00a0For most people this is the first time seeing it all come together – their first opportunity to see if the vision and all of the hard work came together as expected. \u00a0There will typically be some tweaks here and there, change a few shots out to others, maybe adjust the sequence a bit, etc.<\/p>\n

    If you’ve ever been a perfectionist working on a piece of art, you’ll know that this process could effectively go on forever. \u00a0Or so it feels at least. \u00a0But as you’re aware, this weekend is on a deadline. \u00a0And one other piece to it is that after you call a video complete, there is time needed to do a final render, export the video to a self contained video file, burn it to a DVD and deliver it to judges. \u00a0So there are several steps and after 10+\u00a0years of being a video\/film editor I can assure you judging the amount of time needed for this process is very tricky. \u00a0The render stage is the toughest to gauge. \u00a0Rendering is the process of the computer piecing together all of the effects and changes you’ve applied to a video into a high resolution output that is ready for displaying on a big screen. \u00a0The computer will give you an estimated time of how long it will take for this process, but it’s NEVER accurate. \u00a0I’m pretty sure that over the years of doing this, I’m able to provide a\u00a0more accurate\u00a0guess as to how long this will take than the computer does. \u00a0All that said, the point I’m trying to get across is that we need to set a hard stop time to any tweaks that are made in the review process. \u00a0Some tweaks are simple and others are more complex and\/or will incur longer render times.<\/p>\n

    Submit The Final Film<\/h3>\n

    Once that review time comes to an end, it’s time to get this film off to the judges as quick as possible. \u00a0As mentioned above, we still need to go through the process of making this a DVD to deliver to the judges. \u00a0The drop-off location for this is at the same location as the kickoff where we picked our genre, character, and prop – about 1 1\/2 hours away. \u00a0So NO LATER than\u00a06pm on Sunday night we need to be on the road into the “big city” where traffic can get crazy at times. \u00a0The drop-off deadline is 7:30 – the provide a 1\/2 hour for delivery time.<\/p>\n

    Now when they say 7:30 is the deadline, they mean it. \u00a0I kid you not, the first year we did this our film was submitted at 7:31, and thus it was late and disqualified. \u00a0This time was according to the judges watch. \u00a0According to our drivers watch, it was 7:29. \u00a0No sympathy was given to our team or our efforts through the weekend, it was disqualified and we were out of the competition. \u00a0We made a vow at that moment to NEVER be late on the drop-off again. \u00a0And we weren’t.<\/p>\n

    Screening<\/h2>\n

    About 1 week after the productions are done, all of the films are screened on a big screen in a movie theater. \u00a0Because there are so many films competing, this process takes several days. \u00a0But this, in my mind, is the best part of the entire 48 Hour Film Project – being able to see your work on a big screen in front of hundreds of people.<\/p>\n

    The theater is the Riverview Theater<\/a> in Minneapolis. \u00a0It’s an older theater that has that perfect nostalgia to it. \u00a0Quite honestly, I can’t think of a more perfect location to see my work shown. \u00a0It just has that artsy and historic feel and really brings the whole experience to a close.<\/p>\n

    \"Screening<\/a>
    The Riverview Theater in Minneapolis MN hosts the 48 Hour Film screenings each year. I LOVE seeing the marquee with the 48 Hour Film on it every year!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    As a team we have made it a point to sit near the back of the theater each year. \u00a0The seating ramps up nicely so it’s actually a perfect view with great acoustics. \u00a0But the primary reason for claiming this back row is that during our films screening you have a great view of the entire audience and can see how people react. \u00a0After-all, the purpose of making a film is to\u00a0touch the emotions of your audience. \u00a0If they don’t react to a certain joke\u00a0or\u00a0sentiment we built into a scene\u00a0as we had anticipated they would, then we did something wrong. \u00a0And as a film maker my goal is to strive to always\u00a0one-up my previous work. \u00a0If you aren’t improving then you are just standing still – that’s not how I like to live my life.<\/p>\n

    \"Watching<\/a>
    A view of the inside of the Riverview Theater just before the screening of the 48 Hour Films starts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    I still\u00a0find it interesting how much this screening means to me. \u00a0In my career I have worked on videos that have been made into thousands of DVD’s, broadcast to a viewing population of 50,000+, published videos on YouTube that have received thousands of views, yet I get SOOO excited about my film being screened in a theater of a few hundred. \u00a0I’ve tried to analyze why I have such a different emotional connection and have realized it is quite simple really – in the aforementioned distribution channels, I’m not there to see the audience see my work. \u00a0But in the theater I’m part of the viewing process and can accept their gratitude for my work via hearing them laugh or sigh or groan as expected. \u00a0They don’t know who I am during my film, but yet they are all patting me on the back without knowing it. \u00a0And that is a feeling that I’ll never receive when someone watches a DVD in their house without me knowing.<\/p>\n

    Watch The Films<\/h2>\n

    Reading about films isn’t nearly as exciting as watching them, that’s for sure! \u00a0All of the films I have produced for the 48 Hour Film Project are on a website at the link below, as well as a few other films that were created for other similar film competitions.<\/p>\n

    So without further ado, grab your self a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the films!<\/p>\n

    Watch 48 Hour Films \u2192<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    A secret plot, a group of friends on a mission, days that never end, and sleep deprivation. Now […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4,142,144,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-photo-video","category-projects","category-video-film-productions","category-video-production"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_0458.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4BbcR-jP","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1229"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1284,"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1229\/revisions\/1284"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/promincproductions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}