This year the Seattle International Film Festival asked myself and two other Seattle-based narrative filmmakers to be a part of the Fly Filmmaking Challenge.
Also known as the Fly Films, the challenge supplies the filmmakers with in-kind donations of goods and services that also includes a script, a genre, 7 rolls of film and a promise to screen twice during the festival as well as a kick-ass, all-access pass for screenings, festival events, beer, wine, women and a shortcut to the front of the line!
In short, enough impetus and stimulus to make a movie. And so I did. Along with my many talented friends including Mark Price (producer), Jonathan Houser (director of photography), Amanda Bontecou (unit production manager), Darlene Sellers (craft services, script supervisor), Heath Ward (1st assistant director), Sarah MacAaron (production bad-ass), Amy Enser (sound recordist) and Tony Tibbetts (editor).
Not to mention all of the new friends I made along the way including Jeff Tolbert (composer), Michael Raymond (screenwriter), TJ Davis (visual effects), Brian Loso (special effects), Josh Stanton (1st assistant camera), Dave Moscicki (gaffer) and Dusty Edwards (sound recordist), to name a few.
This was also an excellent opportunity to work with a handful of the fine actors I know: Khanh Doan, Robert Manning Jr and, for my money, the finest living actress who never works enough–Francile Albright.
To make it a challenge, there had to be rules, here are some of them.
SIFF 2009 Fly Filmmaking Challenge Rules:
* All narrative films will be shot on 16mm film
* Documentary will be digital
* An iconic Seattle location must appear in each film
* Filmmaker must make a cameo appearance in their film
* Five days for pre-production
* Four days to shoot
* Five days to edit
* Two days for post-production
More on the challenge from the SIFF press release:
The SIFF Fly Filmmaking Challenge captures the essence of independent filmmaking by condensing the process into a breakneck production schedule with precise limits on resources. Each team plays by the same rules with little time and little money, relying on an abundance of passion to make their creative mark — on the fly.
“The SIFF Fly Filmmaking Challenge provides a unique opportunity for local filmmakers to showcase their talent with specific time and resource restrictions to inspire ingenuity, creativity, and skill,” says SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence. “The burgeoning Seattle filmmaking community plays a vital role in supporting this program by fostering a spirit of independent cinema that’s as engaging for film lovers as it is for filmmakers. We’re all looking forward to seeing what emerges on the big screen in May.”
Fly Filmmakers must include an iconic Seattle location, and in a nod to Alfred Hitchcock, they are also tasked with stepping out from behind the camera to make a cameo appearance. From that inspiration they have just four days to shoot and five days to edit, with a documentary crew shadowing their movement to catch all the creativity. Set visits can be arranged for a first-hand look at the creative and technical challenges facing the SIFF 2009 Fly Filmmaking crews.
The movie is now in the can. I’m extremely proud of it, in fact, I would say that this is the most satisfying creative adventure I’ve ever embarked on.
Two screenings during the 35th Annual Seattle International Film Festival. Both at the Egyptian Theater on Capitol Hill.
May 25th 4PM
June 10th 4PM
