How To Do The 48 Hour Film Project

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Spencer: How can I participate in the Hong Kong 48 Hour Film Project?

Ivy: Simple!  You can either, as a team leader, register your team at www.48hourfilm.com/hongkong.  Just click on the link: “Register for Hong Kong now!”  Fill in your details and submit, then wait for a confirmation email from me.  OR scroll down on the home page and click on the “Join a Hong Kong team” link and submit your individual details there.  Already-registered team leaders will be able to see your details, and can contact you directly to bring you on board.

Spencer: Do I need to have my entire team confirmed before I register?

Ivy: You don’t have to have a fully-stocked team to register as a team – in fact, that’s what we’re here for.  Just drop me a line ( hongkong@48hourfilm.com) and I will suggest some people to fill any missing roles on your team.

Spencer: Is there a limit to the number of people I can have on my team?

Ivy: No.  Its unlimited, and you can even have people come and go during the filmmaking weekend, to fulfill different roles, carry lights, act etc.  You just need a very organized team leader!

Spencer: Awesome, more people for the wrap party then.  

Ivy: Yup, and the W Hong Kong is taking good care of us there.  After our screening on October 23, we’re all heading down to the W for a kick-ass wrap party.

Spencer: That’s an amazing venue!

Ivy: You know it.

Spencer: So when exactly does this all go down?

Ivy: The filmmaking weekend is October 15-17.  Someone from the team needs to show up to our Kick Off at Yumla on Friday by 7PM to pick their genre out of a hat, and get the elements (prop, character, line of dialogue), and then they’re off and running.  All completed films need to be handed in to us at Yumla by 7PM sharp on Sunday, or else they’re disqualified.

Spencer: That sounds bad.

Ivy: It can be disappointing, but we will still show their film at the screening.  It just means they wont be eligible for awards.  The important thing is to start rendering early!

Spencer: What is the length of time for a film?

Ivy: 4 to 7 minutes.

Spencer: And what’s the format?

Ivy: DV.  And all these details will be clarified with the team leaders before the Kick Off.

Spencer: Where is the screening?

Ivy: We are screening on October 23, at the Grand Cinema at Elements Mall.  We’ll have a Q&A with some of our filmmakers following each screening.  You’ll want to get your tickets early this year as we completely sold out and then some last year!

Spencer: How do I get tickets?

Ivy: That info is coming soon.

Spencer: Am I asking too many questions?

Ivy: No you’re fine!

Spencer: Ok so what do I have to prepare before the Kick Off?

Ivy: We recommend minimal preparation in terms of writing your story, as we have a wide range of genres you could end up with.  However, we know some people come in with loose outlines and some actors already on board.  Either way, you will be at your most creative in those 48 hours, with limited time and resources to tell a story.  You will have to prepare your filmmaking equipment beforehand of course.  And we have arranged for a discount with a local rental house, which we will be passing on to the team leaders.  And the team leaders will have to do some paperwork before Kick Off.

Spencer: How exactly am I going to make an entire film in 48 hours?

Ivy: Lots of coffee, for starters.  One of our sponsors can help you out there.  The Flying Pan is open 24 hours and you can bring your team there for writing, breaks, and to get your caffeine fix.  The more anal your team leader, the better.  Teams that have someone keeping them on track fare better overall.  It’s doable, this is the biggest filmmaking competition in the world after all.

Ivy: So does that cover everything for you?

Spencer: For now, I cant think of anything else.  But if I do…

Ivy: …just drop me a line:  hongkong@48hourfilm.com.

Spencer: Cool!  Im looking forward to another crazy weekend of filmmaking this year.

Ivy: Yeah its going to be crazy, intense and one of the most fun things you can do in 48 hours!  I just hope you don’t end up in another tiger suit.

Spencer: You mean the one I’m wearing now?