GL: Where does the entry fee go?
SB: The entry fees, and money from ticket sales, are used to help cover our basic costs, which includes things like website maintenance and construction, posters, postcards, equipment rental, trophies, and the numerous other expenses required to keep this project running both here in Louisville and on the national level.
GL: What are the basic rules for 48? What rules does Louisville have to adhere to, as a 'first-year' city? Does Louisville have any 'house rules'?
SB: There are no house rules – the “Best of Louisville” winner will compete against the other “best of” city films for Best of 2006 prize. In order to keep a level playing field all teams play by the same rules. However, the first time 48HFP visits a city the teams are required to include a landmark (building, monument, etc.) or identifying characteristic (e.g., bus, city office) of that city. In Louisville that could mean anything from a shot of the Belle of Louisville or Churchill Downs to a Tarc bus or a branch of the public library.
The best source for all the filmmaking and competition rules is on the website, http://www.48hourfilm.com/filmmakers/rules.php
Here is a brief overview of some (but not all) of the rules:
The film must be from 4-7 minutes long and only two cameras can be used.
All the cast and crew have to volunteer. Professionals can participate, but they must do so for love of the craft and bragging rights – not a paycheck.
All creative work must take place during the 48 hours, including:
- Writing the script
- Rehearsing
- Costume/Set Design
- Shooting
- Editing
- Sound Design
The only things that can be done before the official start of the competition are organizing cast and crew, securing equipment and scouting/securing shooting locations.
Teams cannot use any stock footage or footage shot or created at another time. Animation and special effects are permitted, but must be created during the 48 hour time period.
Each group will be assigned required elements that must appear in its film, such as a specific character, prop and/or line of dialogue. The required Character and Prop must be seen on-screen. The required Line of Dialogue may be spoken, sung and/or written. It may be in any language, though if it is unclear that it is the Line, there must be a translation.
GL: Louisville also serves as a host city in the Kino international film 'kabarets'. Does the 48HR consider the Kino as competition?
SB: This town is definitely big enough for the both of us. 48HFP and Kino are somewhat different, but we share one primary goal – to encourage people to make movies. People on several of our teams have participated in Kino ‘kabarets’ in the past. The Louisville Kino organizers have been extremely generous in helping me get the word out about the 48HFP. I recently went to one of Kino’s screening and I will support their activities in the future. Overall, I think the more filmmaking happening in a town the better.
GL: What does the 48HR weekend offer to experienced microfilmmaker? (Besides prizes, of course...)
SB: What sets the 48HFP apart from other festivals is that we guarantee a screening to every team—so this is an opportunity for a filmmaker to see his or her work on the big screen – and show off the film to friends and family. Another aspect of the Project that the filmmakers love is the time limit—48 hours to do everything. The filmmaker cannot agonize/debate/ponder every line in a script or every camera angle. The 48 Hour Film Project calls for teamwork and creativity—and making a decision and moving on.
