Shoot a Film in Just 72 Hours

When most movies take months or years to create and edit, shorter films can take just a week or two.  But the challenge of 72 Film Fest is to bring together on the streets of Frederick, Maryland teams of local actors, directors, musicians, writers, and editors to write, shoot, edit and score a short film in just 72 hours.

The 5th annual 72 Film Fest provides each participating team with specific criteria and guidelines based around a central theme, and the film must use the criteria when making their short film.  However, the themes are kept secret until the Launch Party when all participants simultaneously learn the theme.

One year, the organizers provided Polaroid photos to influence filmmaker’s creativity.  Other years, first lines of novels, themes like “death and reproduction,” or classic proverbs were used as the theme.

Additionally, the Challenge adds a second level of complexity, including incorporating a specific location or making your film in just a single take.

But filmmakers have no idea until the launch party on Thursday, September 30th, when they get their instructions.  They then have just 3 days to create their film and  finalize a final product by the 9:00 p.m. deadline on Sunday, October 3rd.

The completed films are screened at the festival and judged by a panel judges in 3 categories – professional filmmakers, amateurs and students and can win prizes.

Upwards of 40 teams have participated in previous 72 Film Festivals.  Competing for awards such as the “Best of the Fest” and “Audience Choice” awards, the fest allows anyone with a video camera and a PC with editing software to create and submit a film.

To participate as a film making team, register your team of form one person to a small army online, but don’t forget you’ll need to assemble videographers, actors, script writers, editors, sound and music people, hair and make-up stylists, costumes, and of course a best boy (whatever he does – actually they are responsible for the daily running of the lighting or grip department.)  Or, you can get a big group of talented people together that don’t need a lot of sleep and just wing it.

And if you really want to mess with a few actor’s minds, ask them to audition for a role….that doesn’t yet exist!

72 Film Fest

• Launch Party – Cultural Arts Center, 15 West Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland (map)
• Film Festival – Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 West Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland (map)

Dates and Times – Registration – through 9:00 p.m. on September 30, 2010.  Launch and film creation kicks off  – Sept. 30 at the Launch Party.  Completed films are screened at the 72 Film Festival on October 8 and 9.

Tickets – $10.00 for each event or $17.00 for both events.  Tickets are available online, by phone at 301-600-2828 or at the box office.  Team fees (to create/submit a film):  Pros – $75.00 per team, Amateur teams – $65.00 and Student teams – $55.00.

Parking – Use the Court Street parking garage one block from the center for $1.00.

Image – courtesy of 72 Film Fest.