First Short Out of College

Finally! Last week I helped to make my first short film since leaving college. It's not "my" short film, but I did help throughout a lot of the process. As a member of Fellowship of Christian Filmmakers, I took part in the 168project, a short film festival. The idea is to take a verse given to you and in one week write and cast a short, then in one more week shoot and edit that short in to a piece that is under 11 minuets. The verse given to us was Luke 18:13-14.
After several scripts the FCF team decided on one about an ex-con Sunday school teacher. That meant finding and working with a little child actress. Usually something that you want to avoid because it takes more time to shoot and get scenes right, but it also adds value in that children are so fun to watch.

At first I wanted to Direct a short for the festival but I then decided that because I had to work full time and because I would have to create a separate team it would be better to focus on just one short and help out the team. Good decision on my part! Geoff, our director, must have spent 60 hours or more that week. In all I spent about 40hours myself. Thank God that congress was out of session and work was slow... it enabled me to take more time off work and to borrow some equipment. My boss Julia graciously allowed me to take a mixer, some cables, and gels for my lights. All of which came in very handy for the four days of shooting.

I met a lot of great people, learned a lot about how to light in those situations and what I do and don't want to do as a Director. It was a great experience. I have yet to see the finished piece but when I get it I'll post it for all to see. Let you all know! God Bless.