KVIK’s sixth annual 48 Hour Film Festival in the books
By Julia Berkman
Most college students are good at cramming; we can finish a 6-page paper in five hours or less. But have you ever made a short film in only two days? The lights at the Pickford went down and upon its screen, participants of the sixth annual KVIK 48 Hour Film Festival showcased their work.
Unfortunately, this may be the festival’s last year. Due to the recent budget cuts in the AS, after 17 years KVIK is slated to be dissolved by the end of this year. While ATUS is still available for equipment rentals, KVIK will no longer be around to offer guidance on cinematic techniques.
That being said, this year’s 48 Hour Film Festival was one of their best yet. Seven production groups participated. All were required to fit a genre, use a given prop, and include the same line: “Nobody speak to me right now.”
Sophomore Steven Wright, veteran AS employee and film lover, had this to say about the event: “I came last year and it was buckets of fun. I got a free t-shirt and I’m trying again now!” (For those interested, Steven did indeed get another t-shirt.)
First up was production group Ponty Punter Productions with “Chopping Block.” The filmmakers had to use a woodblock and their assigned genre was slasher. What followed was a semi-comedic short horror flick about the murder of a bunch of teens in the basement of the PAC. Inexplicably, their assigned prop, a block of wood, was also one of their friends. All of the cast was murdered by another in the group, jealous of the wood block’s popularity. This film was in black and white, which added harsh contrast to every shot. The filmmakers also utilized dramatic lighting and angles.
Next up: “El Cielo.” This post-apocalyptic film centers on an alternate universe where JFK’s death lead to nuclear war. I won’t spoil the ending on this one, but it was certainly shocking. The producers, Doug Ness, utilized fantastic props throughout the film that really made it feel like a real period piece.
“The Spectators,” produced by Big Mound Key Bogges Ridge Archaeological District, was up next. This French new-wave-style film followed a vignette into the life of a man whose best friend is moving to New York City. By the end of the film, both of his friends have left him alone to contemplate his own personal shortcomings. The actors were fantastic and they made use of interesting wide and fixed shots.
Up next was “Big Brother,” produced by Lukes’ Bitches. The filmmakers were assigned a pink belt and a psychological thriller. “Big Brother” focused on a man who was obsessed with a woman who ended up being murdered. At the end of the film, audiences are left wondering if he only witnessed her death or was the one who killed her.
On after that, by Punky Brewsters, was the film “The Birthday.” This hilarious, dramatic short followed one guy on a ridiculous path to get his grandmother a birthday present. His long and winding road led him to working for a gang. In the end, he didn’t even get her the right present. This film was hilarious and made use of drone shots.
Next, from Picture This Productions, was “Triple Threat.” The Lemon sisters, along with another look-alike, played assassins-in-training seduced by another student. Blinded by her betrayal and the murder of her sister, the Lemons fight to the death in a scene filmed outside the art annex.
Finally, “Love is Tricky” by Bongo Bros graced the screen. This film used a series of vignettes to explore a romantic comedy theme. Basically, a bunch of people sitting outside the co-op discuss their recent trysts, using the people sitting next to them as actors. This short was funny, unique, and had the whole room laughing. Needless to say, “Love is Tricky” took home the gold.
Tristan Olson, the director, producer, and actor of Love Is Tricky, was very excited to win the award but unfortunately this accomplishment was tarnished by the imminent death of KVIK.
But don’t worry too much if KVIK’s dissolution has you bummed out; students are creating Film Production Club as a supplement to the KVIK defunding. It won’t have AS funding, but hopefully through the guidance of older students, new and old Western students will learn how to create their own short films (perhaps with fewer time constraints).