HYDERABAD: How much does 48 hours over a weekend mean to you? For a few, it could probably be a long road trip with friends or just a routine family outing. But, for over 500 film enthusiasts, it is a roller-coaster ride of living up to the challenge of creating a complete film!
About 60 teams are on the run in the city with their scripts, equipment, sound, crew and lights to come up with a film that is purely run on their instincts. Without pre-planning or prior thoughts. This journey started off at the Annapurna International School of Film and Media on Friday at 7 pm, when the teams were given their genre of movies which will form the base of their blueprint.
Organised by the 48 Hour Film Project, one representative of every team had to draw a chit for a genre, on which their movie will be based. About 14 genres were enlisted including, Comedy, Dark Comedy, Detective/Cop, Drama, Fantasy, Film de Femme, Horror, Mockumentary, Musical or Western, Romance, Sci-Fi, Silent Film, Thriller/Suspense, Vacation or Holiday Film. Every film must stick to the genre and cannot trade with other teams. After the genres were selected, the filmmakers were given the option to trade in their genre for a Wild Card Genre that includes, Adventure Serial, Buddy Film, Coming of Age, Family Film, Period Piece, Road Movie, Time Travel Movie and Film de Femme.
However, here is a catch. Three compulsory elements in the movie were announced as keys, as the prop: Adiba or Adil Ravinder, a writer, a character in the movie and as essential dialogue which goes like, “And, that’s how it all started”. The jury consisting of Deva Katta of Prasthanam fame, P Suneel Reddy, national award winning director, Charurvedi Nivas, popularly known as editor Nivas and Madhu Mahankali, director of photography, will be adjudging the teams. Consultations, discussions, arguments and conversations peaked once the topics were announced by the jury. Teams gathered to put to work the different crafts of movie-making.
Commenting on the event, director Deva Katta said, “I am glad to be part of such a fabulous event in Hyderabad. 48HFP is a great platform where aspiring directors can showcase their potential."
NEW-ton’s 3 Law, a five-member team, participating in the competition, headed by Chaitanya Reddy picked up a genre called, “Coming of age”. One of the team members Vivek Kapate said, “It is basically a movie based on breaking stereotypes or how things and people change with time. We are very excited. Let’s see how it goes.” Another team called 10101101, produced by Kaushik have chosen to make a buddy film. “We got drama initially, but were not too sure of it. But, we later chose a wild card genre and now we have to make a buddy film.” Of the 60 teams, there are also about three out-station teams, from Bengaluru, Delhi and Chennai who are participating in this project. The teams will however shoot a movie back in their hometown and upload it through mail. One of their representatives in the city will have to download it and submit it on their behalf. The team from Bengaluru headed by Suresh Kerketta called the Dotslashers Productions have to now base their movie on dark comedy.
The deadline for all the teams to submit their films is 7 pm on Sunday, April 8 at the Taj Banjara, the hospitality partner of the event. The teams will have a grace time of 30 minutes. Films that come in late will not be in-time movies, but will however be considered if the jury insists. Organisers Preeti Gopalakrishnan and Yogi Chopra were on a tip-giving spree. “It is such a tough task and there are a lot of disasters that keep occurring. Computers crash, shots do not come out well, many things have to be re-done, team and time management, everything is crazy. But, one thing can be assured, it is going to be one helluva experience!”