As I was researching topics for this week’s blog entry, I came across an ad in Philadelphia Weekly, (an alternative newspaper serving the Philadelphia area) for a contest sponsored by the 2011 Wilmington (Del) Fringe Festival. The object of this contest is to make a 5-minute film from first scene to last edit in 48 hours or less. I had to learn more. So, like the inquiring mind that I am, I went to the website and here are the details:
Participants must shoot their film in Downtown Wilmington on September 9, 2011. The film can be in the genre of filmmaker’s choice. The film must incorporate what the website calls “three randomly chosen mystery elements” and they are: a line of dialogue, a prop, and a Wilmington location. The contest clock starts on 8:00 PM on Friday, September 9, and the film must be completed, meaning that both shooting and editing must done and submitted to contest judges by 8:00 PM on Sunday, September 11. There are $4,000 in prizes for the filmmakers and the top prize is $1,000. Registration deadline is September 2, 2011.
Now this is one contest that if I was a filmmaker I would enter. Here is a chance for all the budding Scorceses and Spielbergs of the world to shine. It is contests like this that re-affirms my faith that there are both creative minds in filmmaking and those willing to encourage and promote these creative filmmakers (albeit on a small scale and at a Fringe Festival).
Now to the powers that be in Hollywood: What’s wrong with you? You keep greenlighting redos, remakes and reboots (the latest greenlighted project is the remake of the 1980’s gem of a movie Dirty Dancing) yet you ignore all the original minds out there who are coming up with great stuff. The people at Wilmington’s Fringe Festival aren’t ignoring these people and for all we know a future Oscar winning director could be among one of the participants. Also, the contest is being held in Wilmington, Delaware, you know, the home of Vice President Joseph Biden. Wilmington isn’t actually considered a filmmaking center, yet this contest is taking place in this humble town. That should tell you something about being open to new ideas.
So, to the participants of the 48-Hour Filmmaking Competition, I say good luck. May you make films that make people laugh, cry, think, wonder and feel awestruck. I hope, win, lose or draw, that the experience is a positive one for you and that this contest helps you to grow as a filmmaker. Now, stop reading this blog and start storyboarding your 5-minute gem.
As for everyone else, carry on to what you were doing before you surfed over to my blog.
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