The Cost of Duty

We were impressed with the ambition of the team that produced this film for the San Jose 48 Hour Film Project. They lined up a spectacular location, an amazing array of authentic military hardware, and wrote a beautiful score to back this tragic story of a woman faced with an imperative of her duty.

Vernichter was produced to compete as a Foreign Film and the team was fully prepared to do it.

This film achieved acclaim beyond the 48 Hour Film Project and could be the basis for a longer work based on the story.

What’s Really Important?

Most of the teams who participate in the 48 Hour Film Project come back with great stories to tell about snafus and adventures they have during filming or production. The team that made this film tells us that they had scheduled a location shoot in a bar that turned out to be open for business and filled with soccer fans during a major tournament.

They found another bar to get their scenes and it worked out for them in the end. We found this tale to be chilling, and one that demanded our consideration of the question: What’s really important to you right now?

We think that making the movies is important. What’s your answer?

When Good Containers Go Bag

Another audience favorite in the 2009 San Jose 48 Hour Film Project brought screams of laughter and groans of respect for the atrocious puns. The writing was over the top, and the stories that these filmmakers brought back from their weekend adventure are the stuff we’ve become accustomed to hearing at 48HFP.

Enjoy now, as this brother and sister team takes on the plague of disgruntled paper bags whose livelihood is threatened in this near future cautionary tale.

We thought this was an epic that couldn’t have been bagger!

Who’s the Quitter Now?

For Fans of Mr. Deity, it’s a great time because there’s a new episode. This is the final episode of Season 3 (awwwww), but also contains a message about what’s in store for Season 4 (yeah!).

If you haven’t seen Mr. Deity before, this is an excellent time to get caught up on the legend. Maybe you’d like to visit our earlier post here to learn about some of the pivotal early chapters in this saga.

I thirst — for more. Can’t wait to see how this turns out!

What we need is a new holiday!

Right in the middle of summer when sales slump, there’s a chance for a new holiday to honor one of America’s unsung heroes. Why didn’t we think of this before?

Well now you can say he’s unsung — even if he wasn’t really that tall!

By the way, if you want to see more from this troupe, check out their website at: http://www.easilydistracted.com We think you’ll enjoy visiting them there.

In the meantime, if you’re not sure what to do with yourself this summer (2010) between the well known major holidays, you should come to the screenings for the San Francisco 48 Hour Film Project. Over 70 teams will compete for top honors such as Audience Choice, an award this film nearly won for itself in 2007.

As Dumb as… A Day Manager

The new episode of Chad Vader is out and will delight long-time fans. If this is your first time to encounter the series, I recommend watching some of the back episodes to make this one funnier. Typically in mid-season, and after a decent run, there will be a number of inside jokes and references to back story.

Today Lloyd is chosen as the Day Manager for a Day.

Honk if you’re glad to see Baby Cookie’s return!

He’s having more fun than you

At first blush we find it easy to judge others, but if we look closely, they may be doing quite well without our pity/scorn/judgement. You certainly, cannot argue with the precious moments of love that we all crave. Watch Klaus and see where he find such moments.

I don’t think Klaus has seen his last glimpse of love yet.

Fly High – Win Top Honor

Filmapalooza is over and the awards are awarded. The producers and filmmakers sang their karaoke and wrecked the town with a pub crawl (okay, you can’t REALLY wreck Las Vegas with a pub crawl) and now it’s time to begin the coming year.

This film from Germany took home the top honor and is now the best 48 Hour Film for 2009. Congratulations to “NonSquare Pigs” for an award winning effort.

Remind me to book my next flight with Korean Air!

Playing With Fire? Sure!

Originated as a bonus competition for the 48 Hour Film Project, the Documentary Challenge is now a stand alone competition in its own right.

Bay Area competitive team It Donned On Me has participated in this challenge on several occasions now and they were extraordinarily proud (and for good reason) about this submission. At 9:36 run time, it’s longer than the typical 48HFP film, but well worth the screen time.

Are you inspired to go in the kitchen and play with matches? We were!