As Jae
Staats, Director of the Almost Famous Film Festival, puts
together last minute touches the night before the screening,
he reveals the Top 20 films will premier in the largest
auditorium at AMC Arizona Center 24 Theaters.
In
anticipation of a full house, our team arrives early to grab
the best seats. As we are entering the theatre, the big
silver screen is showing clips from various team leaders from
the night of the drop-off. They are re-telling their 48
hour experiences and adventures during their filming
challenge.
Being
one of those team leaders who entered this year’s challenge,
I would love to share the many variables that can take place
during those precious few 48 hours.
I have
been a team leader and entrant since 2006 and as a result, I
have experienced many 'ups and downs.' We have been in
the coveted Top 20 and we have won a few awards. We have also
been in the bottom 20 and had our films screened and of course
made the Honorable Mentions section of the A3F. I can say that
being in that "Top 20 Award Winning Category" is the
greatest feeling of all!
What
our team would like to share is that we have done it all ways
and there is no 'secret formula.’ We have started writing
and putting the ideas on paper on the first night of the
challenge and we have done four months of pre-production and
rehearsing, however, you can never prepare for the last minute
obstacles that can derail any film challenge project.
You
may encounter casting issues, i.e. last minute cancellations,
inexperienced cast or crew, equipment malfunctions, encoding
problems, overall fatigue or any other unforeseen issues that
will possibly bring an end to that dream of conquering the 48
hour deadline. If any of these problems occur, keep filming
and keep going until the clock ticks to the last possible
minute. You may end up with a film that is greater than what
you intended if you keep on going. You may even end up making
a film longer than the suggested time requirement (which I
have also experienced), that may end up being a gift in
disguise. You can always go back after the challenge is over
and re-edit, re-think and re-shoot to make it the movie YOU
want it to be.
With
all of this knowledge, if you are lucky to have a smooth shoot
and turn your film in on-time, there are other small
accomplishments that take place inside the 'larger
picture.' It is called the, 'Roller Coaster Ride.' It is the
week long process of waiting for the judges decision of the
'Top Twenty' and ‘Honorable Mentions' or the sad realization
that your film will not be seen before an audience all.
Once
these obstacles are all overcome and you know where your team
places, you have the pleasure of sharing this news with family
and friends and peers in the business and get your tickets for
the big show. The A3F gives each team 2 complimentary tickets
which no other festival does...then it is off to game day.
If you
do make the Top 20, you still have another long twist and turn
to take. That happens once inside of the theatre. Will
you film show well? Will you place in the Top 5? Will you
place in the Top 3? Or will you win the Audience Choice?
Inside
the theatre more than half in attendance were first time
spectators of this festival, which was amazing to see. Once
the films started screening, the entertainment value improved
with each film. We watched everything from 'Silent Films'
to 'Cartoons.' Based on the quality of the films that I
watched at this festival, the entertainment value was the
best I had seen in all my prior years being in the
audience.
This
8th Annual Screening had a Fairytale ending for one particular
team, 'N Ragged Pictures’ and their film "READY AN
ACTION." They won, 'Best Director,’ 'Best Outstanding
Performance by an Actor' (first time performance, aged 10)
'Brock H. Brown Script Award’ and ‘Audience Choice.'
This team had entered many years in the past but had never
took home first place. But they did not give up and eventually
took home the GOLD. They are to be recognized for their
tenacity and their ability to create a film that will be
remembered by all who attended that night.
In
attendance that night was, Jay Lee, who won first place for
the A3F one-shot challenge in 2010. He did not enter
this year due to scheduling issues but I asked him what
brought him to the festival, his response was this, "The
A3F is a great venue for filmmakers to work their craft and
also have an ability to showcase their work before a large
audience."
Many
successful filmmakers get their start with the A3F... after
tonight's showing, Lee said, "expect more great local
films."
As the
evening ended and all were headed to the 'Official After
Party' at, 11:30 The Restaurant, I thought about my own
journey with the A3F and what came to mind was this, I
witnessed the A3F grow up from its adolescents and into
adulthood that entertains the masses with wonderful films for
all ages, overnight! I am proud to have grown up also in
this film family. We may not always make the 'Top
Twenty', but we have the opportunity to grow as an writers,
actors, producers and directors because this venue exists.
Below
are some 'Fun Facts' about the A3F Almost Famous Film
Festival. They have done just that for our state, made
Arizona...... ALMOST FAMOUS!
Fun
Facts about this years A3F Challenge
-66
teams entered
-49
teams turned in on time
-Best
Actor went to a first time actor age 11 - Watch this
movie HERE
-Teams
from Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Maricopa, Nevada and So
California entered
-Received
News/write-ups in the AZ Republic, Phoenix New Times, ASU
Downtown Devil, Phoenix Channel 11
-A3F
is the largest film challenge in the Southwest and one of the
largest in the country
-Over
1000 films have been made for the A3F during the past 8 years
-For
this challenge alone, there were over 500 filmmakers and crew
making films in one weekend
-Filmmakers
use this a a launch pad to success in the film industry or
living out their dream!
-Sold
out event this year
Kimber
Leigh
Actress,
Producer, Director Since 2006 A3F Almost Famous Film Festival
