Screening Tickets Available

Hi team

If you want to get your tickets for the screening now, they are available online. Sean & Erin have 2 comp tickets, everyone else needs to purchase them. We did this last year at Sean's house but they appear to be available early this year.

Reminder, South County United (that's us) is in Group H which screens Friday, May 7th at 9:30pm. Tickets are $10 each.

** BEST OF DC ANNOUNCEMENT ** The AFI Theater has tickets for the "Best of DC" available already, and that appears to be the Thursday and Friday before Memorial Day (May 27 and 28). Just be careful you buy tickets for THIS Friday May 7th, I almost bought the wrong ones.

For those of you who are participating the first time this year, the 48HFP committee chooses the top 24 films and screens them again in the "Best of DC" screening. The top 12 films make it onto a "Best of DC" DVD that goes on sale on the 48HFP website. Last year, South County United placed 18th overall so we really want to break into that Top 12 this year and get onto that DVD!

TO BUY TICKETS: www.afisilver.com

(Last year, our screening was pretty packed, not sure if it sold out completely or not, but it has sold out in years past, so we suggest you get your tickets now if you want to attend the screening).

Weather Report

Hey SCU - it's gonna be 80s and SUNNY on Saturday. There's a good chance, just like last year, that we'll be filming outside so pack your sunscreen and a hat if you need one. We had some sunburns last year so just wanted to remind everyone.

Food, Food and more food

Hi team, I wanted to give everyone a head's up on the menu this weekend. If anyone has any special dietary needs or restrictions, please plan on bringing "safe" food for yourself. Due to tight timeframes and no budget, we can't accommodate all needs and requests, as I'm sure you can all understand! Thanks!

• Breakfast (7-8am at Healey's house or on set): Munchkins, bagels, fresh fruit, breakfast bars, yogurt, OJ, coffee
• Lunch (on set by noon): Assorted Croissant Sandwich Tray (turkey, ham, roast beef), chips
• Dinner (at Healey's house around 6pm or after filming is done): Homemade casserole with chicken/vegetables/pasta/cheese with rolls
• Beverages (all day): Water, water everywhere - we need to stay hydrated (bring your own soda or sports/energy drinks if you need them)
• Snacks (all day): Cheese sticks, Peanut Butter Crackers, Apples, Bananas, Raisins, Granola Bars, Chips, Candy/Cookies

Only 36 hours until 48 hour!

Hello South County United! Start your engines! We're down to the wire here, final organization is being done today and tomorrow. Paperwork is printed and ready for your signatures. Food is being purchased tonight to feed you mongrels. The rough timeline for the weekend is outlined below, but...

***** KEEP IN MIND ***** This timeline is extremely rough in nature, loosely based on how things worked for South County United LAST year. We have no way of knowing if 2010 will prove to run on the same schedule.

For example, if we pull the "Film Noir" genre, we almost have to film Friday night (all night) since the genre requires black & white with dark & shadowy mystery. Or, we may end up requiring a sunrise shot in our film, in which case your butts will be on set by 4:00am to prep for the first scene. As the 48HFP slogan says...

Every minute counts when you only have 48 hours to make a film!

Friday Evening

• 5:30pm - 7:00pm - Jen Siler will attend kickoff event to get assignments (maybe with Chris Cochran depending on his schedule).
• 7:01pm - Jen will call Sean Healey with the 3 elements and genre. Sean will blast the info to the team.
• 7:30pm - Focused Brainstorming session begins at Healey's house for anyone interested in attending. (Short timeframe, very focused brainstorming, nothing but story ideas allowed to be discussed.)
• 9:00pm - Everyone leaves Healey's house except for core writing team (Sean, Chris, Jen) to refine script and dialog.
• 1:00am - Target deadline for final script*. Printout 15 copies.

* Please note the final script is 99% final. We did rewrite some things on set last year and will consider that again if it improves the film. But no character negotiations are allowed once final script is printed. (That's how Ed & Jeff ended up in SPEEDOS last year, hahaha!)

Saturday Morning

• 7:00am-8:00am - Call time for cast and crew. Arrive at Healey's house no later than 8:00am. Donuts and coffee will be available. **Last year, we met at the beach, Sean Healey or Jen Siler will text or call you Saturday morning if an alternative meeting location is required.**
• 8:00am-9:30am - Arrive onset at first shoot location. Crew sets up gear and preps set. Director provides special instructions and reviews shooting schedule. Cast reads through the script.
• 9:30am - Target start time for filming.
• 5:30pm - Target completion of filming.
• 5:30pm-7:00pm - Return to Healey's House. Dinner and wrap party/debrief.
• 7:01pm-onward - Post-Production continues (ongoing through entire 48 hours).

Sunday

• Cast & Crew sign paperwork
• Cast & Crew confirm film title
• Cast & Crew write logline
• 5:00pm - Target deadline for final film on flash drive
• 6:00pm - Leave Edgewater to deliver film in DC

Get a GOOD night's rest tonight, cast & crew. You'll need to store up that energy for the next 3.5 days. Can't wait to see everyone!

A nod to last year's DC winner

This week's "Film of the Week" from the 48.tv website is last year's DC Winner. Filmed entirely in front of a green screen, and tremendous help from a CGI master, I don't think we stand a chance of competing with something like this but thought you all might want to see last year's winning film to see what we're up against in the very talented DC region. (Thankfully, the team who won last year is NOT competing this year, these are the guys who taught the workshop I attended 2 weeks ago).

This week's film is...

"Gwendolyn Dangerous and the Great Space Rescue"
by Integral Arts
a Film de Femme
Washington, DC 2010

In this campy ode to sci fi serials, Gwendolyn Dangerous boards the ship of Hassan the Heinous in an attempt to save her sister from being his slave.

This one goes out to DC, Boston, and Singapore filmmakers, who will make over 200 48HFP films this weekend. Good luck to them!

Check it out:

http://www.48.tv/bin/index.cfm/id/389fb23a-e2a2-6914-d3f1-9885e4e55a52

Screening, Kickoff, Dropoff

Hello DC 48 Hour Filmmakers—

Below is the listing of when to be where for the Project film weekend. Please read the Kickoff, Drop Off and Screening Information carefully so that you're in the right place at the right time!

KICKOFF EVENT

You must have someone present to draw the genre for your film in our random drawing. Please limit total attendees to 3 people.

Friday, April 30, 5-7p.m.

[All teams arrive by 5:30 pm--participate in check-in and drawings--Leave at 7pm sharp!]

WAREHOUSE THEATER

Enter through the parking lot on New York Avenue

645 New York Avenue NW--between 6^th and 7^th Streets

(for the past 3 years the weather has cooperated and we have held the drawing outdoors, so keep your fingers crossed)

DROP OFF EVENT

Your film must be received by 7:30 p.m. to be considered on-time and eligible for all awards.

[Late films will still be screened (but not judged), so be sure to get them in!]

Sunday, May 2 6:30-9:30 p.m.

"On-time" films by 7:30pm!

WAREHOUSE THEATER

645 New York Avenue

PLEASE NOTE: Do not enter through 7^th Street

SCREENING SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS

Below are the official screening times and groups for the DC Project.

Your team has been assigned to a group. The only way to change groups is to find a team willing to switch with you.

Before you get deep in the moment of filmmaking, just a note about the screenings:

- Don't forget to invite your family, colleagues and friends to the screenings.

The info is below.

-Forward this email to your team members so that they know which screening to attend to see their film.

-For each screening group, the audience will vote for their three favorite films and from these votes, one film will be awarded the audience award. There will be eight Audience Awards in DC.

-At the screening, feel free to celebrate your film (and to lobby the audience for votes). In the past, film teams have worn costumes, handed out candy and postcards to the audience in the lobby and brought posters and props along to the screening.

We're looking forward to a series of fun and exciting screenings. Get some sleep!

DC 48 Hour Film Project Screening Info:
The screenings will be held on Tuesday – Friday, May 4-7 at the AFI Silver Theater in Silver Spring.

TICKET SALES

Tickets may be purchased online at www.afisilver.com (credit card required).

Tickets go on sale beginning Monday, April 26

Each team leader receives 2 comp tickets to his/her screening.

Or can be bought at the door of the AFI Silver Theatre that night!

Please contact me with any questions.

Mark

Mark Ruppert

DC Producer

48 Hour Film Project, Inc.

www.48hourfilm.com

Mark@48hourfilm.com

GROUP A Tues. May 4 7 pm

Dupont Circle Pictures

Empty Bench Productions

Epsilon Eridani Productions

peachu

Running Welshmen Productions

SiLvEr PaNtHeRs!

Spartan Films

The Big Honkin'

the Blue Rhino Productions

The Chenettes

The Quest

Unabandoned Works

WipPan Films

GROUP B Tues, May 4 9:30 pm

Apex Predator Productions

Bigger Boat Productions

Creative Liquid

Cyclopean Pictures

Drunks and Children

Frozen Penguin Productions

General Admission Films

Golden Films

Media Dacha

Musky Adventures

Peterwagon Films

Red Lift

Star Wipe Films

GROUP C –PG -13 Weds., May 5 7 pm

5212 FilmWorks

Astrocasters

CrazyLulu's Team

Farar Productions

Morning Coffee Productions

Red Pill Productions

Revolver Films

Rising Phoenix Productions

Team B.O.M.

The Lions

Tohubohu

Wytek Pictures

Xtreme Perception Video Production

GROUP D Weds., May 5 9:30 pm

Angels Production

Aquarian Entertainment

Dancing Pirate Scouts

citra Productions

DC Militia Productions

Dusky Manito

Hollywood Is A Man Productions

Holy Skit Productions

Jungle Rules Films

Loud Noises

Simple and Unsimplified

Tragedy Plus Time

Traxart Entertainment

GROUP E Thurs., May 6 7 pm

2Failures

3/4 Films

Actors with Strings

BiteBiteBite Productions

Cinema Murcielago

Flavor Babies

Fly By Night Films

Leaping Lizard Productions

Power Group Productions

Shoe Tree Films

SwimFast, LiveSlow

Ursus Lotor

Wake Up The Giant

GROUP F Thurs., May 6 9:30 pm

Krisp Productions

Leaning Tripod Productions

Nothing Sacred Productions/Mini Americans

onesixtyone (WIT Films)

Pick Me! Pick Me!

Pilot's Crew

Red Light District Attorneys

River Run

Sciatica Veer Films

Second Minute Films

solimage

Team Soul Story

Untied Artists

GROUP G Fri. May 7 7 pm

Baboy Productions

The Betamacks

Connectivity Group Productions

Crowded Elevator Pictures

DC Dogs

Dim The Lights

Eastern Avenue Films

Gatorot, Drink Of The People

Performance Initiative

Rolling Blunder Productions

Star Maker Machinery

Z M Movies

Zipper Productions

GROUP H Fri., May 7 9:30 pm

[sic] Productions

Badass Productions

Broken Reels

Cavegirl Productions

DC Film and Video Meetup

Flying Over Trout

JustinTime productions

Karma vs Mojo

Silver City Productions

South County United

Straight, No Chaser Productions

Team Bulala

Unfinished Productions

Untouchable Films

48HFP Screening: Friday 9:30 PM

South County United,

Start your engines and sound the horns. Our 2010 film will screen at AFI in Silver Spring on Friday Night, May 7th, at 9:30 PM. Maybe since it's a Friday night event, we can get alot of people in the seats! We need votes to get audience favorite award.

48hfp Workshop

The first 48hfp Workshop in DC was offered this year. Kevin Good and Barry Gribble from Integral Arts were the instructors. They were the city winners in 2007 and 2009, and they have a laundry list of other awards and accomplishments, just check their website.

The workshop offered loads of tips and tricks for making a better film for the 48hfp. Topics included Script Writing, Camera Work, Audio, and Lighting. For me, it was an interesting learning experience, but there were no takeaways for me to bring back to my team, South County United. Our team is lucky enough to have a fantastic professional crew and resultant equipment.

I think this workshop would be perfect for the team who has participated in 48hfp once or twice, using a $300 camera and no other equipment. Barry and Kevin are extremely talented and they have the awards to prove it. Their advice and lessons were spot-on to the amateur filmmakers who want to raise the bar for their 48hfp team.

One interesting tidbit of info that I found really interesting was around Environmental Portaiture (addressing camera work and setting up a shot). Barry and Kevin used the example of people sitting on a sofa (on film). So many 48 Hour Films submitted have a scene with people sitting on a sofa. And 99% of the time, the sofa is up against a boring white wall.

Now, think about every sitcom you've ever seen on TV. The sofa is never placed against a wall, it's almost always in the middle of the room. (Friends, Seinfeld, Everyone Loves Raymond, Happy Days, Cosby Show, you get the point....).

So there were definitely some fun and interesting things that I learned, since I'm not a camera operator or a photographer. But it will make me more aware of most of the things I see on TV or movies from now on.

Thanks to Kevin and Barry for a great day. And I think I speak on behalf of the 100+ teams entered this year -- thanks for not entering the project this year!

Brainstorming Bonanza

Thanks to the SCU teammates who participated in our brainstorming session last night. Glad we were able to find time to do one this year, with everyone's busy schedule. Sean & Erin Healey, Jeff Cook, Ed & Jen Siler, and Chris Cochran and Whitney all participated and we got a lot done!

As notes for 2011, we started by brainstorming each genre, trying to list a few good ideas with very basic story outlines.

Then we hand-picked our Top 5 strongest and most realistic story ideas (based on # of actors required, # of locations required, special props or extras required, etc.). We had to throw out a few really good ideas for sheer time restrictions. If we ever enter a 20-minute short film contest, we have some great ideas!

After we picked our Top 5 story ideas, we went through each genre again to see if one of our 5 stories fit into each genre category, and tried to get 2 story ideas for each genre. We were short on a few of the genre, but were able to come up with at least something (but hoping we just don't pick those)! Two that really have us stumped this year are the Silent Film and the renewed genre for 2010, Film Noir.

We're fortunate this year to have two females willing to act, so the Film de Femme category no longer scares us. Last year, we had zero females so we were at a loss for that genre but we should be OK this year.

I'm attending the newly offered 48hfp workshop tomorrow, looking forward to learning some of the tips & tricks that former winning teams have to offer.

South County United is feeling prepared and ready this year, I hope that isn't a false sense of security!

Two weeks from this moment, the cameras will be a-rollin! Cheers to a great 2010 48hfp!

T minus 3 weeks!

Salutations, South County United. Just three weeks from this Friday we'll start racing to get our 2010 film completed! Can't wait!

Not sure what is going on with the 48hfp committee but according to the DC page on their website, there are now 104 teams registered? So much for that 100-team limit they had talked about!

I decided to register for the new workshop the 48hfp committee has organized this year. It's Sunday, April 18th from 12:30 until 5:00pm in downtown DC. The "teachers" are from Integral Arts team who has won this contest twice, been named a Top 5 US 48HFP team twice, won the Panasonic HD Showdown in 2007, and won the LA Television Festival in 2009. So their credentials speak for themselves, I am going to attend the workshop to see what our team can learn and apply to this year's film.

If anyone else has an interest in joining me, you can register by CLICKING THIS LINK.