48 Hours of Philmmaking

Some of you may have noticed a bit of a stir in Philadelphia a few weeks ago. We're talking giant equipment cases blocking the sidewalk, your local pub taken hostage by a monkey masked man and a camera crew, or perhaps screaming in the woods. That's because 48 teams took to the streets of Philadelphia for a fun-filled weekend of guerilla filmmaking at its finest. There were teams from Philly, New Jersey, Delaware, and even New York. There was a one man team (who has notably completed 19 films in 9 different cities); a four man team; a team made up of 35+ current Rowan University students; a team led by a 15 year old high schooler who had to have his teacher turn in his film for lack of a drivers license; a team who made their film into the 18th episode of a their TV series; a team who managed to cast local alt porn actress Stoya; a team from local staple Sweetbread Studios; a team made up of the crew from Center City Film and Video; and a team competing for their 8th year in a row.

These sleep-deprived cinemaphiles braved their way through a hectic 2 days as part of the 48 Hour Film Project, now in its 8th year in Philadelphia. In a mere 48 hours, these teams completed 4-7 minute short films. Prior to the "Official 48 Hour Time Period" teams were allowed to organize cast and crew, and secure equipment and locations. That's it. Everything else: writing the script creating sets and costumes, rehearsing, shooting, editing, scoring, and effects had to take place after teams drew their designated genre out of a hat on at Silk City on Friday evening. To make the task more difficult still, teams were all required incorportate the same predesignated prop, character, and line of dialogue in their films. The prop de jour - a wallet - was an easy find. The character Dan or Dana Crocker, an Artist, spurred some common themes and the creation of a “Least Original Title” award. The line given to teams,"Do you even know what that means?" seemed exceedingly appropriate considering how often the genre was actually followed. Dramas, romances, and holiday films turned into comedies. Comedies turned into horror films, and tragedies became mockumentaries.
(P.S. Despite the explanation on the 48 hour film project website, nobody seems to be really clear on what film de femme means.)

According to festival producer Scott Johnston, when all was said and done, 44 films were completed—and 4 teams imploded. All of the completed films were showcased the past Sunday and Monday (May 10th and 11th) at the newly refurbished International House in West Philly. Some were good, some were bad, some were unfortunately late (we’re looking at you, Awkward Day Camp), but all were up for Audience Awards. Late films, however, were not in the running for any Judges’ Prizes. After a somewhat lengthy deliberation the awards were announced around 1am Tuesday morning at N.3rd in Northern Liberties.

This year’s judges pick for Best Film was from the dreaded musical or western category. The Nectar of the Gods, who also won the 2005 audience award at the National Film Challenge created a musical detective story with bad singing, great comedy, a slight nod to the karaoke popularity of “Stay” by Lisa Loeb, and a dramatic ensemble finale number called Get 'Em McGettigan. All because they couldn't find a horse. Because we all know a western just isn’t a western without a horse. Get ‘Em McGettigan was also the recipient of the Group B Audience Award and will be screened at Filmapalooza, the official 48HFP Awards Weekend. The top 10 films out of all 80 participating cities will be screened at Cannes, and the international winner will score a Panasonic HPX170 camera and $3000.

All of the 48 Hour shorts will be available online shortly. Some, like Kingpin of Pain, are already floating out there on in cyberspace.

2009 Philadelphia 48 Hour Film Project Awards:
Least Original Title - Portrait
Best Non-Use of Genre - Pick Pocket by UV Catastrophe
Best Use of Line - Iron Belly by The Ivy League
Best Acting - Get 'Em McGettigan by The Nectar of the Gods
Best Music - Made for Love by KC Collective
Best use of Stunt Boobs - The Eighteen Year Payback by Fun with a Pickle
Best Cinematography - We're All Gonna Die by No Right Return
Best Editing - Kingpin of Pain by Broken iPhone
Best Script - Unappreciated Holiday by Meatball Posse (*refused award, claimed to have no script)
Best Sound Design - Love is a Battlefield by The After School Specialists
Best Effects - Kingpin of Pain by Broken iPhone
Best Use of Character - Pro and Cons by 3 Heads Productions LLC
Best Use of Prop - Money Talks by Delaware Independent Filmmakers
Best Use of Genre - The Message by Khaotic Productions
Best Direction - 20 Fathoms Away by Philastoria
Group A Audience Award - Money Talks by Delaware Independent Filmmakers
Group B Audience Award - Get ‘Em McGettigan by The Nectar of the Gods
Group C Audience Award - Love is a Battlefield by The After School Specialists
Group D Audience Award - We're All Gonna Die by No Right Return
Best Film - Judges Choice - Get ‘Em McGettigan by The Nectar of the Gods

Image Credit: Kristopher Antonio Photography. All rights reserved, used with permission.