Film creators invited to 'Digital Shootout'
What kind of story could you tell in a five-minute film?
And how good could you be if you only had 12 hours to complete the project - including writing, casting, shooting and editing?
The Geneva Film Festival's "Digital Shootout" Saturday, Oct. 11, is your chance to find out.
The contest is a precursor to the second annual festival Nov. 8. The winning "Digital Shootout" video will be announced and shown at the festival's awards ceremony.
The shootout is designed to give people a taste of the production side of the movie business.
"We want to educate the community about what independent filmmakers and independent filmmaking are all about," said Cheryl Klein, the festival's events coordinator.
Contests such as these are sometimes called "film racing." Klein's television production students at Geneva High School have participated in "Sweet 16" film races, where they have 16 hours to complete a film.
Geneva's is a little shorter, giving participants 12 hours. Assignments will be handed out at 10 a.m. and must be turned in by 10 p.m. at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St. The entry fee is $50.
The contest is also designed to involve the town's business community.
"It's a way of creating curiosity for people walking by," Klein said.
So far, 10 businesses have signed up to participate. Most are downtown between First and Fourth streets, but businesses from other parts of town are welcome to participate.
Each video team will be assigned a merchant and must make the majority of the film at that business.
Other parameters:
• You must provide your own equipment.
• You can shoot on film if you like, but the finished project must be in digital format.
• Films must be at least two minutes, but not more than five minutes, long.
• State Street must appear in the film.
• A person from the business must appear in the film (background is OK); as must the business' name.
To enter or to sign up your business for participation, e-mail Cheryl Klein at cklein@genevafilmfestival.org or just show up on Saturday.
The Geneva Film Festival is sponsored by the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission.