Check the Notes!

This film was created by the Smith Brothers for the 48 Go Green Challenge. Like many of the films submitted to this time-based filmmaking competition, there’s an excellent story behind the making of the movie.

Take a look at the story of this character and see if you can find a cautionary tale for any activist willing to stand behind (or bound to) his cause.

We would suggest reading the assignment very carefully, and maybe checking Google Maps before starting out.

Oh, and a spare battery is a great idea too!

Why Go Green?

Some embrace environmental practices out of concern for the planet. Some do it because it satisfies their sense of stewardship. Some exhibit “green” behaviors because they hope to leave something intact for future generations.

Some folks know that the best reason of all to adopt environmental responsibility has one ultimate goal — to get chicks!

Whatever reason works for you, it’s probably a good thing. And it will certainly work out better for you than for the young man in this new 48 Hour Film Project film from It Donned On Me.

We really think he should try again — maybe with better advice from different friends.

48 Hour Film Project Awards

Over the past year, we’ve shared glimpses of the 48 Hour Film Project with you here by showing you top films submitted to the worldwide filmmaking competition. This weekend, participants in the year-end celebration and awards event (Filmapalooza) will learn who gets to take home the coveted top prize.

Each if these teams (and roughly 1000 others in over 80 cities around the world) were given a prop, character, a line of dialog, and a randomly selected genre.  Then in the space of one weekend, they went out to create a short film, roughly 7 minutes in length.

City winners from San Francisco (Albatross) and San Jose (Love Technically) will be screened along with the 80+ other city winning films.

Watch the #48hfp tag on Twitter over the next couple of days to tap into the buzz on this amazing event.

Because they can!

We think you may have heard this, but Bay Area filmmaking favorites, Square Marden qualified for the final round in the 48 Go Green competition.  That means their film will screen at NAB and they will have a shot at the Cannes Short Film Corner. A lot of folks in the Bay Area independent film community have been rooting for these guys (as Barkada Inc) since they gave us A Keesh for Hershel, and Saving the Past from the Future.

This new short film made us laugh again — they’ve done it to us MANY times now.

These guys do know the ways of love!

Roommate! Can’t live with them…

…and it’s not nice to destroy them in a planetary cataclysm.

Over 300 short films were created for the 48 Go Green competition, and this one from Ovation Pictures brought home the Audience Choice Award in San Francisco.

Can the human race and the planet actually agree about who should take out the trash?

We’re told that a sequel is in the works — the audience demands to know what happens when Mother Nature arrives and gets a glimpse of the mess.

Need a Direction?

Perhaps you know where you’re going. Perhaps you don’t. Perhaps you think you know and have something to learn.

The protagonist in this stylized tale may or may not be clear about that, but there’s one thing he knows for sure.

Enjoy this award-winning entry from the San Jose 48 Hour Film Project, and find out for yourself.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/14198483]

The latest film from Tumult Productions will premiere Thursday, Feb 24th at the Lumiere Theater in San Francisco.

Get tickets now to enjoy more than a dozen new independent films with an eco theme.

Tastes Like The Real Thing

Can one meal change your life forever? Take a look at this winning entry in the San Francisco 48 Hour Film Project from 2010 and see for yourself.

Judges and audiences alike responded with enthusiasm to this tale of creativity and survival.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/13273419]

The creators of this film will premiere their latest — an entry in the 48 Go Green competition on Thursday. Don’t miss this opportunity to see more than a dozen independent films being shown to audiences for the first time ever.

Tickets for the show are available here.

(https://tickets.landmarktheatres.com/ticketing.aspx?theatreid=225)

Hero With a Past

How does a former world travelling adventurer spend his middle aged years? Jefferson Banks seems not to believe that cold calling with insurance deals is the right path.

So what will he do when his wife is kidnapped by the son of his arch-nemesis? Take a look at this entry in the San Jose 48 Hour Film Project to see the outcome.

The team that gave us this hilarious film will premiere their latest at the 48 Go Green screenings on Thursday.

See Ovation Pictures latest along with more than a dozen competing entries at San Francisco’s Lumiere theater. Tickets are available here.

(https://tickets.landmarktheatres.com/ticketing.aspx?theatreid=225)

Another Surprise

We don’t often find online clips as long as 11 minutes that we feel compelled to share.

We firmly believe that the sweet spots for online placement are 1 minute, 4 minutes, and 7 minutes for “long form” work. Differ if you wish, but in the coming times, we’ll stand behind this presumption. (We suspect that the marks are about to move toward lower numbers after a while.)

We also tend to shun clips that describe things; we much prefer to be shown.

So here we are with a long clip and it’s all talk. Well, is it?  Take a look and see for yourself — but we are certain of one thing. You are very likely to agree this was worth watching, and it’s safe for work.

Actually, your boss wants you to watch this clip at work! See if you don’t find yourself giving more value after you enjoy this!