Apr. 15, 2009 - ~The 36 hour contest
Christianfilmmakers.org sponsored a 36 hour contest this past weekend. Our eldest wanted to take part in the contest and had an idea for the story. There were to be 7 elements listed and each film maker or team of film makers had to incorporate atleast 3 elements from the list in to their film. They couldn't be thrown in either....they had to be a part of the film so that they knew you created the film within the 36 hour time frame and didn't cheat. What would the elements be? How would he be able to work those elements in to the story idea he already had AND finish within 36 hours? Fun.....
Then finally it was time! We headed over to the site to view the top secret elements.... Each video needed to include three of seven possible security elements:
1. Sunrise
2. $100 bill
3. Binoculars (or spyglass)
4. Disguise (could include fake mustache, monster mask, etc.)
5. Dutch angle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_angle)
6. Line: "You're holding it in your hand."
7. Line: "I forgive you."
Jamice's goal was to incorporate all, if possible, but he soon realized he had to give up that goal and move forward. He was able to incorporate 6 though. Amazing!
So we had the list of elements. Problem was he did not have ONE element here at the house. He had to figure out which elements would work best and (this is where I came in) drive and purchase the items. So off I went. Thirty-six hours has now turned in to 35. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
I made a mad dash for Wally world only 20 minutes away. On the way there I noticed a rather large yard sale and quickly turned in. I hollar to the nice lady up front "Excuse me, do you have any binoculars?" A "No" is returned and I'm off to Wally World praying that they have the binoculars. Not wanting to even entertain the idea that they might not be there.
I pull in, park, walking briskly (picture me walking briskly....funny), found the binoculars (Thank you Lord!) then by the grace of God, a disguise too and off I go again...... nearly running through the store (still walking briskly) and hopping in to my van for my 'quick' return home. I rang the house letting them know I was on my way and I'd be there in about 20 minutes. But oh.....wait! What's this? A police car? In the middle of the road? Oh...... it's a funeral. Yes, I'm the first person at the light. I could have made it had I been 20 seconds earlier. So I wait....... and wait..... and yes wait some more. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. And then.....I had to laugh a little.
So that is the beginning and for lack of time I have to jump right to the end. I am hoping he will have time to put some bloopers together. We've got some doozies that I would like to keep for my grandchildren. Especially the audio bloopers. Bubba ranked 14 out of 66 and we're so proud of him. And I almost forgot....that is Jamice playing his guitar to a little ditty he made up in the first minute of his short film. Now here's the entry:
Comments
Apr. 17, 2009 - Very good!!
Posted by Curious
I am very impressed with the video and his amazing skills. He obviously has potential for filmography as a career or even just a really awesome hobby. However, I have one question...I didn't quite understand the ending....why would he chop down the tree and why so violently? Was it symbolism for his mother's death?
Apr. 17, 2009 - ...or...
Posted by Curious
or maybe was it that his "problem" was hidden anger issues? Or that his problem was hidden inside and finally, 20 years later, it began to creep out and cause major problems?
Apr. 17, 2009 - ...or...
Posted by Curious
or maybe was it that his "problem" was hidden anger issues? Or that his problem was hidden inside and finally, 20 years later, it began to creep out and cause major problems?
Apr. 18, 2009 - Hello Curious....
Posted by Eunice
Thanks for writing in. Your questions tell us that the story line didn't come across very clear and that is VERY helpful.
In the beginning of the film when the boy is looking through his binoculars the narrator says: 'He was a good boy, but he has a little problem....think of it as a seed....A SEED INSIDE A BOX'. This is where the narrator laid down the ground work of the story line.
Then while young Nick is speaking to his mother she mentions that he has not been himself lately to which she gives him counsel (under the big tree) 'Nick little things grow...this big tree came from a little seed, etc...'. In other words...his mother knew there was something Nick was dealing with and was offering her help, but the choice is ultimately Nicks. She continues the ground work of the story line by reiterating that this little problem could grow, like this big tree did.
Then you see Nick disguising himself and burying his 'BOX'. By doing this Nick is saying he is not going to deal with his 'issue'. He's going to hide/bury it. But guess what......'just as his mother said, little things have a tendency to grow', we now see Nick in his red striped shirt (a short time after he's buried the box) surprised by a little tree growing out of the ground where he 'buried' his 'box' aka 'issue'. and hear the narratoe: 'Just as His mom had said". Look at Nicks face....he's surprised, sad, confused......isn't that what sin does?
Then we fast forward....until one day (twenty years later) you see Nick driving in the car (if you notice, Nick is always wearing a red shirt....at whatever age). So now Nick is a man, he's driving, listening to the preacher on the radio and the preacher says, in talking about sin, : 'Chop it down'! Nick is tired. He's been having to deal with his buried issue (or issues) for twenty years now. He gets out of the car, grabs the ax, and runs to this now enormous tree, and proceeds to chop it down.
Thanx Curious!
Apr. 26, 2009 - Thanks!
Posted by Curious
Oh okay, your explanation makes the video make SO much more sense now. I love that idea!!! That is so creative, powerful, and true. Amazing. Thanks again for breaking it down for me.
God Bless :)
