[ Written before this actually happened, except for the unknown information ]

We just got the call from our Producer, Denise, who went to Ecotrust to turn in our paperwork by the official starting time of 7pm. She also pulled our film’s theme, instead of a genre like you do in the normal 48 Hour Film Project .

We pulled SAVE THE WATER, and our film must have that and environmentalism as its central story.

Everyone was assigned:

Prop: BOWL

Line of dialog: “CAN I HELP YOU?”

Character: G. VERDE – MALE/FEMALE, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE

Time to do some serious brainstorming, plot creation, and writing so that our amazing team can whip out this film over the next 48 hours.

Hopefully it will be as conceptually brilliant as that business man on the track.

Over and out!

As I walked out of my house this morning, this was there on the curb. Potential?

TBD tonight, but it now lives in my studio.

Last night we had another meeting, this time to focus on the actors who are up for the challenge. Besides introductions, we had a spur of the moment reading of scenes from “The Big Lebowski” and “Pulp Fiction.” This was a great idea, as it helped us get to know the capabilities and delivery of each person. I’m quite excited about our potential cast, and am looking forward to what kind of roles Sam, John and I will be devising for them tomorrow night.

We also went over more logistics, reviewed the tentative schedule for the weekend, and Sam and Ed gather their toys together. I must say, I’m rather excited about the gallon of fake blood that is sitting near me right now.

The team is shaping up very nicely – we’re up to about 10 people. Sam and I met with Denise Ransome (Producer)  of 52 Ltd. and Peach Cheesecake, and Ed Flynn (Technical Director, Camera Operator) of Ugly Mug Advertising to go over some logistics and more planning at Mississippi Pub Pizza.

We then popped over to Second Story to get some inspiration from their viewing of “Moving Targets,” short films from the design world.

One of my favorites was a simple and lovely stop-motion animation called  “Hints for Better Living” by Mike Afsa.

Hints For Better Living from Mike Afsa on Vimeo.

Sam and I met at the good ol’ Side Door in SE Portland to plan – binder in tow, in attempt to organize our in-the-making team and resources.

I also found out that Sam’s dad has an amazing bird blog.

I signed Sam and I up for 48 Hour Film Project’s GoGreen, happening the weekend of February 18-20th. I’ve participated in a “normal” 48 Hour Film Project in 2008 (which was fantastic, thank you Jodi Sweetman and team), but this year’s will be a bit different: international eco-style. From the site:

Just like the 48HFP, the 48 Go Green challenges you to make a narrative short film in only 48 hours, writing, shooting, and editing it. But, to mix things up, this challenge has some slightly different rules than the 48HFP.

• Environmental Themes. You will be randomly assigned a theme for your film which has to do with the environment. The themes are: animals, energy, the environment in general, forests, the next generation, the planet, the sea, and water.
• No genre assignment. You get to pick your own genre–just notify us which one you picked when you turn in your film.
• Elements. We will still provide you with a character, prop, and a line of dialogue which must appear in your film.

I’m very much looking forward to it, and if you have any interest in participating on the Portland team I’m devising, please drop me a note. No sissies allowed though.

“Sam, want to do the 48 Hour Film Project with me?”

“Yes.”