"Part of filmmaking is always a guessing game, and part of it is always a game of trust"
-Greg Kinnear
Filmmaking as a whole is drastically different from still photography. However, as you progress further into the realms of capturing motion, you quickly start to pick up on small similarities. It's all about framing, playing with the light, and figuring out how you want to tell the story. Just like when you take a photograph.
Floating Away -Frantic 48 Film Challenge
Floating Away from Ryan Kosa on Vimeo.
This was the first short-film project I ever played a part in. It was also one of the trickiest. The contest was presented with the Grande Prairie 'Reel Shorts' Film Festival and the rules were simple;
-All filming/planning/production/editing had to be done with 48 hours
-Each team was assigned a random genre as well as a sub-genre
-Every team had to use a red balloon somewhere in their film
-Every team had to use the line "Just because you feel it, doesn't mean it's there" at least once in their film
With those simple rules, my partner (Caden Nelson) and I begun. We received the genre/sub-genre of 'Religious Romance'. Not exactly the most inviting genre, but we made do. The first night was filled with planning and storyboarding. The following morning was slightly more frantic, as we came upon the realization that a few actors would be needed, and that we should probably try and get some actors. As the hours ticked away, a cast was located; two teachers from our local school. Sure it wasn't an A-roll cast, but it was more than enough for us. Shooting filled most of the day followed by editing and more editing. When Sunday rolled around, we were ready to pass in our film (after some last-minute edits in the car of course).
Weeks later the premiere rolled around. Though no awards were received for our efforts, it was a great time. So much was learned in those 48 hours. From what to do, and what not to do, as well as what to do next time! Needless to say, Caden and I were proud of the film that was produced. It was a great introduction into the world of filmmaking and a nice teaser of what it has to offer.
-All filming/planning/production/editing had to be done with 48 hours
-Each team was assigned a random genre as well as a sub-genre
-Every team had to use a red balloon somewhere in their film
-Every team had to use the line "Just because you feel it, doesn't mean it's there" at least once in their film
With those simple rules, my partner (Caden Nelson) and I begun. We received the genre/sub-genre of 'Religious Romance'. Not exactly the most inviting genre, but we made do. The first night was filled with planning and storyboarding. The following morning was slightly more frantic, as we came upon the realization that a few actors would be needed, and that we should probably try and get some actors. As the hours ticked away, a cast was located; two teachers from our local school. Sure it wasn't an A-roll cast, but it was more than enough for us. Shooting filled most of the day followed by editing and more editing. When Sunday rolled around, we were ready to pass in our film (after some last-minute edits in the car of course).
Weeks later the premiere rolled around. Though no awards were received for our efforts, it was a great time. So much was learned in those 48 hours. From what to do, and what not to do, as well as what to do next time! Needless to say, Caden and I were proud of the film that was produced. It was a great introduction into the world of filmmaking and a nice teaser of what it has to offer.