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| THE FILMS ARE IN! |
Record Numbers and New Technology 03/14/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: John Ware or Paul Luebbers March 14th, 2008 (818) 557-8507 or info@168project.com RECORD NUMBER OF SHORT FILM ENTRIES RECEIVED FOR "168-HOUR" SPEED-FILMMAKING CONTEST Filmmaking Teams from Africa, Central Asia, Russia, Philippines, Britain, Italy, Germany, Canada, and USA Jockey for $10K Prize to be Awarded at the Annual 168-Hour Film Festival April 11 & 12, 2008 BURBANK, Calif. – Nearly 80 filmmaking teams have finished the race. They have translated a Bible verse, based on the theme "Free the Captives," into a 10-minute film in only one week’s time. For this annual contest verses are given at random to each team, which then has exactly 168 hours (one week) to make a film. The deadline was 9:00 PM Wednesday, March 12th. The filmmakers are a diverse group: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation filmmaker Josephine Wareta-Otinga has teamed up with American producers Jorge Rivera Bernal, Elvira Figueroa, and Julie Cain-Schrader. Their film, "Color Blind Killer" is an expose on the African AIDS crisis, shot on location in Kenya. Schrader said, "With all the political unrest going on in Kenya, I was amazed that (Josephine) was able to get the film in the mail by the postmark deadline!" Producers Joshua Weigel, Aaron Moore and Jeff Bartsch shot in an underground cavern and in the Herald-Examiner Building with a crane and the Uber-HD, 4K "Red One" Camera. According to Bartsch, "We were blown away at how our 70-member crew worked together as a team. The generosity of everyone involved enabled us to use some of the most advanced equipment and shoot at one of the most amazing locations in L.A." Team 36 Photo: LO-RES: Director Joshua Weigel, Producer Aaron Moore and Actress Jenn Gotzon - L to R HI-RES: Director Joshua Weigel, Producer Aaron Moore and Actress Jenn Gotzon - L to R . "Team Gideon" is led by Mike Wech, who suffered a near fatal car crash just weeks before the contest. Mike led the team through the creation of a music video, for which he penned and recorded an original song. According to 168 helmer John David Ware, "Wech's resilience, despite his neck injuries and migraine headaches, is inspirational. Broken vertebrae would sideline most writer-directors." John Hanson, Belinda Benko, and Jay Gammill of "Team Steadfast" raised money for their film by hosting a New Year's Party on New York Street on the CBS lot in Studio City, CA. Veteran 168 Producer Frank Lozano returns to the contest for 2008. His documentary features Holocaust survivors, David and Sima Forberg, consultants for Spielberg’s "Schindler's List." Producer Vance Elliott tailored his script to fit his two teenage daughters and their passion for film. His 16-year-old daughter Corey has been asked to audition for Nickelodeon due to her work with the 168. At the glitzy red carpet affair, the 168 Film Fest will award 20+ categories such as Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Documentary etc. Winners will get $10,000 in cash and prizes awarded April 12th at the Awards Show at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. "168" Sponsor Sony will provide XDCAM HD decks for festival playback in Hi-Definition. Sponsor Involvement: Arri put on a lighting workshop for "168" contestants. Roland/Edirol provided R-4 4-Channel Field Recorders to selected teams for production. They will give an R-4 to the winning team. Out of Frame will give a $1000 in rental credit to the winning team. Jury members are Howard Kazanjian, Producer of "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" and Exec. Producer of "Raiders of the Lost Ark;" Mark Clayman, Exec. Producer of "The Pursuit of Happyness;" Bill Ewing, former Sr. VP for Columbia Pictures; Gary Hall, Sr. VP at Fox TV Post-Production; Luke Schelhaas, producer/writer, "Smallville;" and Paul Crouch, Jr., Chief of Staff at Trinity Broadcasting. The 168 Film Festival is in Glendale, CA on Friday, April 11th at the United Community Church Auditorium and Saturday, April 12th at the Alex Theatre. For tickets and more information, contact www.168project.com, 818-557-8507 or the Alex Theatre at www.AlexTheatre.org or call 818-243-ALEX. 2008 Sponsors are American Bible Society, Peter Glenville Foundation, Sony, Roland/Edirol, Millennia Media, Arri, Eiki, Out of Frame, Media City Church and Barbertech. -30- Other News: |
