Furious filmmaking

31/03/2010 10:32:00 a.m.

V48HOURS film festival founder and organiser Ant Timpson.

THE stress of the V48HOURS film festival can destroy a marriage.
The founder and organiser of the weekend-long event, Ant Timpson, says one year a couple who entered the competition together broke up during the course of the weekend, and went on to enter separate films in the competition.
“The stress was the catalyst [to the breakup],” says Timpson.
V48HOURS is New Zealand’s largest filmmaking contest, where people from around the country have just 48HOURS to make a short film.
“It’s a cinematic bootcamp but instead of drill sergeant screaming obscenities at you, it’s the constant tick-tock of the countdown clock drilling into your mushy brain. V48HOURS is a serious challenge for first time filmmakers through to experienced directors.”
But things almost always go wrong.
Timpson remembers a guy who received the genre “road trip”. He’d just finished writing his script set in his car, and when he got home the car had been stolen.
“We also had a film, which was based around a pregnant actress’ trip to the hospital. Ironically, the weekend really did eventuate there and a baby was born.”
The festival started in Auckland in 2003 and came to Wellington the year following, and is based on what Timpson and his brother used to get up to every weekend.
“We’d get a team together, go shoot whatever crazy idea we’d come up with and that Sunday, show it to family and friends. What I like about this approach is that it’s instantaneous, inexpensive and a lot of fun to produce.”
Since then the festival has attracted the attention of Peter Jackson, who is an official judge, and Boy director and writer Taika Waititi, who won the competition (Heinous Crime, 2004) alongside Eagle v Shark actress Loren Horsley.
The Ministry of Education has also taken an interest in the event.
“They approached us last year saying they thought it would be a cool thing to get into the curriculum.”
This year 15 school teams have entered from Upper Hutt alone.
Timpson says the key to getting your film noticed by judges is to do something ‘off the wall’.
“Your first idea is never going to be your best. My advice is take time on the Friday night and nut things out.”
V48HOURS Furious Filmmaking 2010, v48hours.co.nz, registration closes April 9, shoot weekend April 16-18.
Lucy von Sturmer

Email This Print

0 Comments

No comments.

Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Fringe Festival

Briefs

From police to employers chamber
JOHN Wills has been appointed as interim chief executive of the Employers Chamber of Commerce (ECCC), effective immediately.
Save the Rhino
A concert this weekend features local performers including Jomba, Skapiti, and Siggy. It is part of an international awareness day to support the petition to the South African government to stop rhino poaching. The Waterfront, Marine Parade, Raumati Beach, 11 February.
Jazzy clouds
The first performance of jazz musician Mike Nock’s choral work Land of the Long White Cloud will be sung by the Orpheus Choir at Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, 18 February. It’s a free concert and only expected to last about 10minutes.
On board
CONRAD Smith, the new Hurricanes captain has rejoined the team after an extended RWC break, in time for the sellout pre-season game at Managatainoka this Saturday.
Share the vision, free
SIR Paul Callaghan a trustee of Zealandia, formerly the Karori bird sanctuary will give a talk about the vision and importance of the sanctuary for New Zealand. Rutherford House lecture theatre1, 5.40pm, February 13.
Indian art money
MORE than a dozen locals are showing and selling their art, at that well known art space, Betty’s Bar on Blair St, to fundraise for the Karunai Dhan primary school in India. From 5pm, February 10.
Star signs
INTERNATIONAL astrologer Faye Cossar, a former Wellingtonian is visiting the city to conduct workshops and a public talk. Cossar is unusual in that she holds a Masters degree in astrology. February 14.
The Great Outdoors
GREATER Wellington’s Great Outdoors summer events programme continues this week with a daughter, mother, grandmother mountain bike ride at Belmont Regional Park on February 12 and an evening guided walk from East Harbour Regional Park on February 8.
Swimming challenge
SWIMMERS looking for a challenge can take up the long-distance summer swim challenge at Wellington City Council pools.
Participants have until April 30 to swim or aquajog 53 kilometres, the distance equivalent to doing a circuit of Lake Mead in Nevada.
The distance covered is recorded by pool staff and there are spot prizes along the way.
On your skates
SOME of the world’s best skaters are in town for Bowl-a-Rama 2012, a week long celebration of skateboard culture.
The competition is at Waitangi Skate Park on February 11, but there are additional events throughout from February 8 to 12, including an art exhibition by local and international skateboarders at 15 Courtenay Place.
Safer outdoors
A new website has been created to make planning for safe outdoor activities easier.
AdventureSmart,org.nz provides safety information and support for those planning land, snow, water, boating and air activities.
Sommerfest
SOMMERFEST, Wellington’s family-friendly food and beer festival, takes place in the Worser Bay Boating Club on February 26.
The annual festival offers a range of boutique beers matched with great food tastes.
Breaking with tradition this year there will also be margaritas from 5pm.

Reader's Poll

DO you see value in Wellington seeking closer links with China?