Seattle, WA - Production on the SIFF 2009 Fly Filmmaking Challenge gets underway next week as four teams begin the sprint to script and shoot a short film that will premiere at the 35th Seattle International Film Festival later this spring. The SIFF Fly Filmmaking Challenge captures the essence of independent filmmaking by condensing the process into a breakneck production schedule with precise limits on resources. Each team plays by the same rules with little time and little money, relying on an abundance of passion to make their creative mark -- on the fly.
"The SIFF Fly Filmmaking Challenge provides a unique opportunity for local filmmakers to showcase their talent with specific time and resource restrictions to inspire ingenuity, creativity, and skill," says SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence. "The burgeoning Seattle filmmaking community plays a vital role in supporting this program by fostering a spirit of independent cinema that's as engaging for film lovers as it is for filmmakers. We're all looking forward to seeing what emerges on the big screen in May."
Fly Filmmakers must include an iconic Seattle location, and in a nod to Alfred Hitchcock, they are also tasked with stepping out from behind the camera to make a cameo appearance. From that inspiration they have just four days to shoot and five days to edit, with a documentary crew shadowing their movement to catch all the creativity. Set visits can be arranged for a first-hand look at the creative and technical challenges facing the SIFF 2009 Fly Filmmaking crews.
SIFF 2009 Fly Filmmaking Challenge: The Films
Arthur, a film by Laura Jean Cronin, written by Joshua Bourland
Fearing that his mother's accomplices plan to double-cross her following a recent heist, young Arthur Matthews must ensure her safety by any means necessary. The script by Joshua Bourland won the Great American Short Screenplay Competition held by TheFilmSchool at SIFF 2008.
About the filmmaker
Laura Jean Cronin, born in the Bronx and raised in the Northwest, is an award-winning filmmaker and accomplished artist and educator. Cronin recently wrapped her sixth short film, One Night, a thriller in thirteen minutes, as well as the first half of Season Two of the television show Biz Kids on which she is First AD. Other credits Free Parking (SIFF 2006). Cronin has served on the Board of Directors for Women in Film Seattle in the capacity of Membership Chair since 2006.
Black Coffee, A film by Bao Tran, written by Timothy Watkins and Charles Forsgren
Someone has found out about David's affair and is blackmailing him. David plans to make the payment to spare his political career, but he's about to find out he's been double-crossed. The script was chosen from the Fly Filmmaking Script Competition.
About the filmmaker
Bao Tran started making movies in Hi8 at an early age and developed his visual sense from Kung Fu movies, silents, musicals, and Hitchcock. His most recent film, Bookie (SIFF 2008) has been both nominated and awarded Best Short at several film festivals. He is currently developing feature-length projects, including an action fantasy to be shot in Asia.
Safe Passage, a film by Shawn Telford, written by Michael Raymond
Two arguing friends catch a late-night ride on the Seattle monorail, but the ride isn't quite what they expected-nor is the destination. The script was chosen from the Fly Filmmaking Script Competition.
About the filmmaker
Shawn has written and produced his own solo work for audiences in Seattle and New York. He has also appeared in the Seattle Fringe Festival and was a member of the Acting Apprentice Company at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Directing credits include A Night in the Sunlight and Gimme Music, Gimme Shelter.
Fly Filmmaking Documentary, a film by Shannon Hart-Reed
An imaginative, behind-the-scenes look into the Fly Filmmaking process.
About the filmmaker
Shannon Hart-Reed has a background in feature film Art Departments. (In the Bedroom and Pirates of the Caribbean). Since moving to Seattle over 3 years ago, Shannon has turned her attention to creating stylized documentaries on a variety of short and feature-length subject matter. Credits include Ladies Who Lunch and My My Hey Hey: A Let's Talk-u-mentary (SIFF 2008)
SIFF 2009 Fly Filmmaking Challenge Rules:
- All narrative films will be shot on 16mm film
- Documentary will be digital
- An iconic Seattle location must appear in each film
- Filmmaker must make a cameo appearance in their film
- Five days for pre-production
- Four days to shoot
- Five days to edit
- Two days for post-production
The SIFF 2009 Fly Filmmaking Challenge is produced by Virginia Bogert, an award-winning producer/director whose diverse film career spans more than 20 years. "My passion is film, and films continue to be a part of my life and career -- I make them and I help others make them," says Bogert. "What drew me to producing the Fly Filmmaking Challenge was the prospect of encouraging and supporting filmmakers. Creativity always needs nurturing, and if I can do that for another filmmaker and help provide an incredible opportunity like this, life's good."
Bogert's filmography includes documentaries and narrative films, including directed The Delivery, a SIFF 2006 Fly Film, which later won an Accolade Award, and was named Best Short at the 2008 Port Townsend Film Festival. Her documentary Pike Place Market: Soul of a City garnered four Emmys; Fields of Plenty, a profile of a sustainable farmer, screened at multiple environmental festivals, was nominated for an Emmy and is a First prize Telly Award winner. She owns Laughing Dog Pictures, is producer/director of Film&Video for Experience Music Project Museum, and teaches Indie Filmmaking at the University of Washington Extension. She is also president of Women in Film/Seattle and curates the Post Alley Film Festival.
For more information on the Fly Filmmaking Challenge and the Seattle International Film Festival, or to schedule a set visit with Fly filmmakers or interview with SIFF, please contact Cal Ledbetter at cal.ledbetter@siff.net.
The SIFF Fly Filmmaking Challenge is made possible with support from Kodak; Oppenheimer Cine Rental, LLC; Seattle Grip & Lighting; Pacific Grip & Lighting; Bexel NW; Dena Beatty (Screen Actors Guild); Stephen Salamunovich (Complete Casting); Northwest Locations Professionals; Seattle Composers Alliance; Alpha Cine Labs; Bad Animals; Modern Digital; Rocket Pictures; The Mac Store; IrisInk; Chipotle; Pagliacci; Cupcake Royale/Café Verite.
About the Seattle International Film Festival
Now in its 35th year, the Seattle International Film Festival is the largest and most highly-attended film festival in the United States, showcasing more than 400 films from over 60 countries to an audience of 150,000 attendees annually. Listed by Variety as one of the world's "50 unmissable film festivals," SIFF continues to be recognized as one of the top festivals in North America. SIFF combines the best aspects of a casual film marketplace with our well-established reputation as a great audience festival filmmakers love to attend.
SIFF's mission is to create experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world. In addition to the Festival, SIFF operates SIFF Cinema, its year-round flagship theater at McCaw Hall. In 2010, SIFF will open the SIFF Film Center at Seattle Center's Alki Room, thereby fulfilling its long-standing vision of creating a permanent home where SIFF's successful film, education, and community outreach programs can thrive.
