48 Hour Film Project Huge Success!

The Providenec 48-hour Film Project, sponsored by the RIFC, is exhausting and exhilirating, frustrating and fulfilling, but definitely terrific fun and was a great success!

Now an international event, the success of the Providence Event was due in large part to the incredibly hard work of our Producer, Mike Ryan. Perpetually smiling, no matter how many repetitive and idiotic questions he was asked, Mike made it all happen as if he'd been doing this for years.

At the start of the contest, Friday night at 7pm at the Tazza Cafe, Mike announced the prop (boots), the character (Constance or Connor Sutton-a publisher), and the line of dialog ("Do you know anything about it"). The team leaders stepped up to the Mexican Hat to pull out the genre for their 4-7 minute film. When all the teams had their items, Mike yelled "Go" and it was on.

For the next 48 hours the teams had blanket permission to shoot at any public venue -thanks to Steve Feinberg and the RI Film & TV Office. A release was needed if private property or buildings were used. Our friends at The Artists Exchange and the Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House were among the very good sports that allowed use of their property.

Water hazards and iffy weather were endured. Some people slept, most did not, all worked very hard, and nearly all of the 40+ teams that signed up made it in Sunday evening with a finished film in hand. Some were late, but they made it. We just can't predict what fate and the challenge of HD transfers will do to us.

The event had excellent local media coverage. NBC Channel 10 followed three of the teams during their feverish 48 hours. Those stories can be viewed on turntoten.com. We also made the evening news that Sunday. They showed contestants running into the TAZZA CAFE from all directions trying to beat the 7:30pm deadline. Those waiting both inside and out chanted and cheered as each filmmaker breathlessly arrived.

Somehow, three days later, Mike and his tech crew had the films transferred and set up at the Columbus Theater for four sessions of screenings. The theater was filled with enthusiastic patrons. They laughed, they cried, they cheered, they applauded.

Then, only a few more days later, The Best of the 48 Hours Film Project screened as part of the ending ceremonies of the RI International Film Festival. Miss Rhode Island appeared to help give out the Awards. Many happy filmmakers, friends, family, supporters of every kind were celebrating and chattering about the event well into the evening. Thank goodness the next day was a holiday for most of RI since the "private" partying went on well into the next morning.

If you did not participate in the event this year. It's something you should do at least once simply for the experience. It is certainly a chapter you will add to your memoirs.