.: “Best Of” Wrapup and a Special Request

Well, last night was the “Best of the 48 Hour Film Project” screening, and I have to say it was a blast. Seeing “All Roads Lead Away” up on the big screen in high definition was an awe-inspiring experience. Once again, we were shut out of the major awards, but regardless, I’m immensely proud of our movie and extremely grateful for all of the hard work everyone put into making it.

I’m sure they’ll post the award-winners on the official site soon, but I thought I’d go ahead and let you all know directly. They should all be viewable on 48.tv sometime in the not-too-distant future, but I’ll post links to the ones that are already viewable online (as near as I can tell, anyway).

• Audience Favorite, Group A: “The End” (Flat Feet Films)
  
• Audience Favorite, Group B: “The Bad News Bearer” (Sprezzatura)
  
• Audience Favorite, Group C: “Fairy Bust” (3mm Films)
  
• Audience Favorite, Group D: “Skip to the End” (JSC Productions)
  
• Audience Favorite, Group E: “I’ll See You in Hell” (Everyday Astronaut)
  
• Audience Favorite, Group F: “Get Closer” (Dead City Films)
  
• Audience Favorite, Group G: “iLoveU2” (WIT Films)
  
• Audience Favorite, Group H: “Mementos” (Integral Arts)
  
• Best Use of Character: “The End of the Rainbow” (Musky Adventures)
  
• Best Use of Prop: “Spy, Gina, Spy!” (The Quest)
  
• Best Use of Line: “The Loins of America” (Has Been Productions)
  
• Best Sound Design: “I’ll See You in Hell” (Everyday Astronaut)
  
• Best Graphics: “The Mark” (oops! Productions)
  
• Best Editing: “May Day” (Oozing Sarcasm)
  
• Best Acting: “Mementos” (Integral Arts)
  
• Best Directing: “The Mark” (oops! Productions)
  
• Best Script: “The Bad News Bearer” (Sprezzatura)
  
• Best Cinematography (tie): “American Revolution” (Roanoke) and “Get Closer” (Dead City Films)
  
• Second Runner-Up, Best Picture: “The Mark” (oops! Productions)
  
• First Runner-Up, Best Picture: “I’ll See You in Hell” (Everyday Astronaut)
  
• Best Picture: “The Bad News Bearer” (Sprezzatura)
  

Now for a request: As many of you are aware, we had to cut a lot of material (more than two minutes’ worth) from “All Roads Lead Away” in order to keep our running time under the seven-minute limit. And while normally I’m a big fan of that forced editing — it almost always makes for a tighter, better-paced film — in this case I fear we may have trimmed a bit too much. With that in mind, I’ve posted both the original 48 Hour Film Project cut and a somewhat longer cut that reincorporates some (but not all) of the lost material on the official site.

And I figured what better “test audience” to provide honest feedback than this group?

So if you get a chance, take a look at both versions with a critical eye. Do the new and extended scenes add to your understanding and appreciation of the story, or do they drag the pacing down? Do they add genuine character moments or are they mere directorial self-indulgence? Consider this a “director’s-cut-in-progress,” and one in which your reactions may have an impact.

For our final “archival” cut (i.e., the version we’ll be submitting to festivals) we may go with the full extended edit. Or we may keep to the original shorter cut. Or something in between. So go ahead and let your opinion be heard — at the very least you’ll be getting a glimpse into the filmmaking process.

.: Screening Wrap-Up

Well, beyond the selection as part of the “Best Of” screening, “You Pay Your Dues” didn’t take home any additional honors. A disappointment, to be sure, but not one we can really begrudge anyone — particularly given the representation of Tohubohu alumni among some of the winning entries. Veteran contributor Bjorn Munson’s Team Jabberwocky took home Best Cinematography honors for “DeLeon Crossing,” and Ryan “Machinations” Mulkay worked with Integral Arts’ “The Kumbio Takedown,” which won not only the Best Acting award, but also Best in City for Washington, DC. Congratulations!

Other notable winners were Best Directing for WIT’s “Seasonal Disorder” (which also won the Audience Award for our screening), Best Original Music for the musical “Leon!” and Best Special Effects for “Urine Cake.”

Thanks to everyone for your help and support — and I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted about upcoming opportunities!

.: Best of the 48 Hour Film Project

Better late than never, right?

We just received word that “You Pay Your Dues” is one of 22 films (out of 93 completed films) selected as the “Best of the 48 Hour Film Project” for Washington, D.C. — and as a result, we will be screening this Thursday evening at the AFI Silver Theatre. Because of the number of films selected in this round, the films will be shown in two separate screenings, one at 7:00 and another at 9:30. Our film will be showing as part of the first screening — that is, 7:00 p.m. (as will Tohubohu veteran Bjorn Munson’s directorial effort, “DeLeon Crossing”).

Right now, it looks like tickets are available for both the 7:00 and 9:30 screenings (I suspect they may have opened up a second screen), so if you’d like to come out, be sure to pick your tickets up right away. We’re waiting to hear more details about awards presentation and the after-party, but as soon as I know more, I’ll pass along the info.

Congratulations to everyone who helped make this film the success it has been. I’m immensely proud of you all! Hope to see you Thursday!

P.S.: Here is the full screening lineup — there are some duplicates in there (specifically “Inquisito Libellus,” “Seasonal Disorder,” and “The Kumbio Takedown”), presumably to fill out the schedule (though I don’t think it’s a stretch to assume that they’re the front-runners for the top awards).

Screening 1 — 7:00 p.m.

• 3mm Films: “Urine Cake” (Comedy)
• Team Diamond: “Cult of the Groove” (Comedy)
• Integral Arts: “The Kumbio Takedown” (Detective/Cop)
• Tohubohu: “You Pay Your Dues” (Detective/Cop)
• FAYM Productions: “When You Wish Upon a Fish” (Fantasy)
• Roadside Productions: “Inquisito Libellus” (Fantasy)
• Team Jabberwocky: “DeLeon Crossing” (Fantasy)
• The Quest: “Holy Saturday” (Holiday Film)
• WIT Films: “Seasonal Disorder” (Holiday Film)
• Everyday Astronaut: “Leon!” (Musical/Western)
• Burning Toast Productions: “While You Still Can” (Romance)
• Oozing Sarcasm: “3027” (Sci Fi)

Screening 2 — 9:30 p.m.

• The Beta-Macks: “A.P.E.” (Animal Film)
• Cardiff Giant: “Wing Woman” (Buddy Film)
• ReelLight Films: “Semi Sweet” (Buddy Film)
• Integral Arts: “The Kumbio Takedown” (Detective/Cop)
• Agile H Productions: “C.O.P. 2000” (Detective/Cop)
• Ningen Manga Productions: “Posi+ive” (Drama)
• Gaucho Pictures: “Rooster.com” (Fantasy)
• Roadside Productions: “Inquisito Libellus” (Fantasy)
• Unknown Penguin Pictures: “Rochambeau Kid” (Ghost Movie)
• WIT Films: “Seasonal Disorder” (Holiday Film)
• Two Jews, a Goy and an Asian: “Helpful Cowboys” (Musical/Western)
• Kiss Productions: “A Bus Story” (Romance)
• Elbow Production: “E.T.R.I.P.” (Sci Fi)

.: “Machinations” Takes Best Sci-Fi Award

At the Filmapalooza event this past weekend, “Machinations” was just awarded Best Use of Genre (Science Fiction) for this year’s National Film Challenge. Thanks and congratulations to everyone involved!