48 Hour Film Project -
7:00 PM to 11:30 PM Friday

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Well, tonight began the 48 Hour Film Project. We have a script, we have a warehouse that looks like the Diego Garcia of film production, and we have a cast.

For those of you not in the know, the 48 Hour Film Project is a challenge laid to filmmakers across the country to write, shoot, edit, score and deliver a finished film in 48 hours (hence the name). Our fair city has twenty-eight teams participating, nearly 700 folks are running around the city like mad trying to get a script together, get locations, find talent and get a cut movie into a can.

A major wrinkle is that you don't know your genre until 7:00 pm Friday night. You might draw a western, or a comedy, or a sci-fi. Your film has to fit within this genre, so it's difficult (and against the spirit of the game) to have a pre-written script. Furthermore, you are given a character, a line of dialogue and a prop that has to be included.

So, we have until 7:00 pm Sunday to deliver a finished fantasy film, with an Ice Cream Man by the name of Mr. Batalocci. I'm not sure what the line is or the prop.

Our leader is Jay Kelly, a lifelong friend, and Kyle, a sharp young man who I only met recently. Both are veteran film dudes. Jay has attracted a large number of smart, talented people, including Jim the Carpenter guy. Jim remodeled Jay's kitchen, and has been helping Jay on productions ever since.

My nephew GJ and I walked into the main location, DreamWelder (our team name) central this early evening. We were among the first to get there. Soon, other team members showed up, and we began the tough work of blacking out the warehouse, setting up lights and getting our scripts worked out.

Things moved along very well. With a quicky draft script, Jay was able to move into auditions on a comfortable schedule. I think by tomorrow morning hew should have it cast, and a number of scenes blocked out. Jay runs a tight ship, and gives straightforward, solid direction. He lets his strong actors work the part, and gives plenty of guidance to those who are floundering, which is probably why his films always look good. His robust direction makes even lame scripts work.

I am struck by how happy his crew is. Folks cooperate, and although nobody is getting paid (except for stale candy and chicken) everyone conducts themselves like professionals.

I even have a speaking role, and hopefully won't screw things up. Initially, Jay wanted me to be the ice-cream man for whom he had written a very funny, racy joke. Unfortunately it violated my "would-you-like-to-see -this-looped-on-the-internet-while-running-for-President" rule. I'm not so much a prude, but the line was rather gratuitous. He was very gracious to let me try out for something else, and I got a part.

Shooting starts sometime tomorrow, and I'll report on progress next time.

Tim McNabb

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