Film geeks and gurus are preparing their preferred forms of uppers and checking their gear twice as the 48 Hour Film Project descends on Honolulu this weekend. The contest, for which some 30,000 filmmakers made films in 55 cities around the world in 2007, is returning for its second annual stop in Hawai’i.

The 48 Hour Film Project’s mission is to promote filmmaking and filmmakers through a festival-like competition. The tight deadline of 48 hours emphasizes creativity and teamwork skills– “doing” instead of “talking.” This Friday night, August 15, participating filmmakers will convene at the Cupola Theater at the Honolulu Design Center and pull from a hat to get a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre that must be included in their movie. Forty-eight hours later, the movie must be shot, edited and scored for a panel of judges and two nights of audiences to view.

“The winning film will go up against films from around the world for the title, ‘Best 48 Hour Film of 2008′,” Honolulu producer Judy Lowenthal explains. “This year’s Best Film of Honolulu will receive a $500 cash prize, a slot in the International ‘Best of 48 Hour Film’ and a chance to attend the Filmapalooza, our annual filmmakers’ festival with workshops, networking, filmmaking and fun.” Local contestants will also be awarded various prizes, awards and honors provided by sponsors Hawai’i Media Inc., The Fixxx Hair Salon, Amuse Restaurant LLC, Honolulu Design Center and Alii Medical Inc.

Last year’s winner, Ruben Carrillo of Liquid Planet Studios, loved the opportunity to take a break from his day-to-day video production duties as a DP and exercise his creative side. “Because of the time constraints you have to be completely organized and prepared for whatever is thrown your way,” Carrillo recalls. “I would say the most important thing for first time contestants is pre-production. Have all of your locations, paperwork, crew, and production workflow figured out before the event starts–preparing yourself as much as possible ahead of time will be your greatest asset. Also, try to get crew that [have] worked together before. There’s no time for mistakes or attitude problems. Everything has to run smoothly.”

Carrillo says that this contest is a great way to promote and encourage independent filmmakers. “Participating in the competition ignited my desire to do more projects that are more creative and less commercial. Short films, documentaries, things like that. What I want to do as a filmmaker is continue to learn and grow in the type and quality of productions that I am doing. My emphasis has always been images: lighting and composition. I think people have a tendency to march through life missing the details, shadows; the nuances that make up the bigger picture.”

Twenty-four local film crews have entered this year’s project. Professionals and amateurs are in the mix, some who have been honing their skills at a similar contest, the monthly Showdown In Chinatown held every second Saturday at Next Door. Showdown is an outlet for underground, established and aspiring filmmakers who usually compete under a similar format.

Showdown veterans Throw Down the Keys Productions are among the entrants. Throw Down the Keys is a radical filmmaking collective that promotes thoughtful yet irreverent feminist filmmaking. “I think filmmakers are going to bring their best game to this competition because it’s a flashy annual event, costs a lot more money [SIC has been free to enter since the start of 2008] and holds the promise of national exposure for filmmakers,” says Christen Vidanovic, Throw Down the Keys co-conspirator and supporting actress.

Angela Breene is the driving force of Throw Down the Keys and is the formally trained filmmaker of the group. The Loyola Marymount University film production grad has been a part of a number of ultra-low-budget indie projects in her hometown of L.A. and in her five years in Hawai’i, has created a varied body of work including short films, experimental videos in collaboration with local musicians and programs for ‘Olelo Community Television where she works.

“Hawai’i’s film scene may be a small pond, but it’s a beautiful, complicated and incredibly inspiring small pond,” Breene says. “We have fewer options and opportunities for production resources, screenings, funding, promotion and exposure, but I think those so-called ‘disadvantages’ can shape a more passionate and adaptable breed of filmmaker. Overall I feel much more balanced and interconnected with other creative people and the world around me living and working here than I would in Los Angeles.”

In an event where procrastination is prohibited and professionalism is put to the ultimate test, the resulting films will be a unique and entertaining treat for local fans of the arts. It will be interesting to discover what tricks the filmmakers must have up their sleeve to survive such a potentially sleepless project. Throw Down the Keys’ strategy?

“We are going straight for the groin,” Breene exclaims facetiously. “And then maybe the eyes.”

The 48 Hour Film Project

Aug 15, 6-7pm, Cupola Theater at the Honolulu Design Center, Ice Room, 1250 Kapi’olani Blvd.,

Aug 17, 6-10pm, Ong King Art Center, 184 South King St., Honolulu

Aug 21 & 22, 7-, Cupola Theater at the Honolulu Design Center, Ice Room, 1250 Kapi’olani Blvd., $20, m

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