Budding filmmakers get their ‘short’ shot at Green Light
When the green light clicked on, more than 40 aspiring filmmakers went to work with their video cameras.
It was Aug. 5, start date for Green Light Cinemas’ inaugural Short Film Challenge. St. Pete’s future Nolans, Camerons and Spielbergs were given exactly one week to write, cast, film and edit a film lasting anywhere between five and 10 minutes.
“We gave folks the first page of the script as a setup, with five or six lines of dialogue, and then … go,” said Green Light owner Michael Hazlett. “You had one week to make whatever you wanted to do in that context. I was stunned by the creativity – and some of the production values on these films are ridiculous.”
Just 30 final films were submitted – a couple of the gung-ho teams on Day One eventually dropped out – and they’re all being screened Saturday at the independent theater, 221 2nd Avenue N.
Although the contest was similar to the popular, national 48 Hour Film Challenge, this one was all dreamed up locally, “in-house.”
The reason for supplying that first page of the script? To prevent previously-created films from sneaking into the competition.
“With the setup, everybody started from the same place,” Hazlett said. “Everything we got was filmed in that one week. We pushed the creativity button on these guys.
“The creativity of it is, where do you go? We got comedies, and mockumentaries, and thrillers, science fiction and romantic stories. Everybody had their different vision of this stuff.”
Some films were made by professional local videographers; others were filmed with phone cameras. “We looked at the first film, there was a spaceship in it,” Hazlett added, “like some real CGI-type stuff. And then in another one, there was a hand puppet. So we had the broad range.”
Acting coach Eugenie Bondurant’s Station 12 Studio is based at Green Light; at that kickoff event, her students offered themselves as cast members, should the filmmakers need them.
“We had acting classes that week, and nobody showed up,” Hazlett laughed. “They were out making films.”
Hazlett and Bondurant were part of the five-judge panel that watched all 30 entries Aug. 19.
Said Hazlett: “We met and had a private screening, and yelled at each other to find out who won what.”
Films will be screened in three separate blocks Saturday, at 2, 4:30 and 7 p.m.
After all of the films have screened, following the 7 p.m. block, the awards ceremony will begin – with prizes given for Best Film, Best Directing, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. There will also be an audience award.
At press time, the 7 p.m. screening was sold out. Any last-minute tickets will be available through the Green Light Cinema website.
The winning finalists will be screened Sunday at 2 and 5 p.m.
The Best Picture winner receives $500 and entry into a national film festival.
Saturday 2 p.m.
“Bridges” by Team Jason
“AI-ME” by Dream Team
“Reasonable Discussion” by BICC
“Still in the Backseat Stirring” by Halide Films
“THE CHILD” by cat noise
“bridge of choices” by Untitled studios
“Stained” by NCT Films
“Handle with Care” by Twin Flames
Saturday 4:30 p.m.
“WHERE THE CAT LIES” by VESSTOP PRODUCTIONS
“Desperation calls” – Espadrilles Production
“Cessation” by Colin and Matt
SCRIPTED” by Esa de la see
“Codes and Keys” by Lunar Speedboat
“Vortex” by The Worst People in the World
“Short Film” by ANTBARproductions
“Second Take” by Walkcherson
Saturday 7 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
“A Trade Between Worlds” by CineView
“Ask Again Later” by FilmBakers
“Diversion” by Mile High Machu Queens
“Everyone Will Die” by Team Viscera
“Insufficient Funds” by Shoplifter Studios
“INTERDIMENSIONAL GRIFT” by The Thin Place
“LIKENESS” by Annie Wilkes
“Micro” by The 9
“Pandora’s Box” by Mount Up Media
“Reruns” by Canders Production
“Taking a Closer Look” by Infamous John
“This Movie Sucks” by TEAM GREENFAC
