Over twenty members of our Tampa production crew participated in this year’s 48 Hour Film Project and walked away with eight awards, including best film, best directing, best editing, best actress and the audience favorite for the their group.The 48 Hour Film Project is a filmmaking contest that takes place over a wild and sleepless weekend where teams write, shoot, edit and score a movie—in just 48 hours. Over 50,000 filmmakers are expected to participate this year, making around 4,000 films in 120 cities on six continents.
“F” [48 Hour Film Project Winner – Tampa 2012] from ChristianSchwier | LitewaveMedia on Vimeo.
On a Friday evening, teams received a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre, all of which had to be included in the short (4-7 minute) film. Finished films were due Sunday at 7 p.m.
Our film, a short called, “F,” was shot on the Red Scarlet, one of the leading 4k ultra high-resolution video cameras on the market. “The Scarlet gives video that Hollywood film look we’ve been striving to achieve. The workflow is a little more complex, but it was worth it,” says Christian Schwier, Director. “The footage looked better than anything we’ve ever shot.”
Stephen Maxwell working on the original score for “F”
The Litewave Media video crew included camera operators, editors, wardrobe professionals, a sound engineer, boom operator, production assistants, gaffer, and several grips. The cast included five main actors and about ten extras.
Although there were many challenges inherent in completing the project, our team faced one significant snag. A heavy rainstorm all weekend forced the team to re-write the original ending, which was to be shot on the roof of a four-story building. With safety concerns, they quickly brainstormed and created an alternate scene to finish the film.
Evan, Co-Director of Photography, films a scene with the Red Scarlet Camera
This is the tenth entry the Litewave Media team has submitted to a filmmaking contest. Six years ago, their western musical won first place at the Guerilla Film Challenge. And currently their feature film, Jules Dongu Saves the World, is making its rounds on the festival and convention circuit.
The team’s prizes included a Dolly/Slider and gift certificates from local businesses, but more importantly, the film “F” will automatically be entered into the screening line-up for Filmapalooza next March in Los Angeles, CA. If it wins there, the next stop is the Cannes Film Festival.
Cast and crew on the Red Carpet at the awards ceremony in Ybor City.
“I’m so proud of our team and how everyone came together and contributed their time to make a great film,” says Schwier, also the founder of the Tampa production company. “The collaboration and diverse talents are what makes it so interesting and fun. Everyone contributes a little piece to the puzzle.”
If you have a creative film project that would benefit from our experience and state-of-the-art equipment, contact us.
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