Can you make a movie in 36 hours? The Tallgrass Take 36 film race is this weekend
There might be some heavily caffeinated filmmakers in Wichita this weekend, as the Tallgrass Film Association again presents Take 36, a race where filmmaking teams have 36 hours to conceive, develop, write, shoot, edit and submit a short film. Whew! Who needs to sleep, anyway?
Teams will also have some required criteria they must include in their films.
Anyone is welcome to participate, and past races have included filmmakers from local middle schools and high schools as well as seasoned professionals.
Everything you need to know about the race and the Top 10 showcase can be found at https://tallgrassfilm.org/ (that’s also where you can register a team).
But here are some frequently asked questions:
WHEN DOES THE RACE START?
A mandatory meeting kicks things off at 6 p.m. Friday, March 24, at the Tallgrass Film Center in the Lux, 120 E. First St. Organizers will go over Take 36 rules and requirements. If registration slots are still available (check https://www.facebook.com/TallgrassFilm for updates), you can register in person at the kickoff meeting (just show up a little early).
One person from each team MUST be present Friday night for the Take 36 kickoff meeting.
WHAT ARE SOME RULES?
All content must be original and created during the 36-hour time period. All films must be six minutes or less in duration. All films must be turned in by the deadline (no exceptions) with all signed talent/actor, music and location releases (that are given out at the meeting).
Films must not contain anything pornographic, excessively vulgar, or be violent for the sake of violence.
All official rules are on the website.
MOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RACE?
Student teams: $100
Other teams: $125
https://tallgrassfilmcenter.eventive.org/
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN BE ON A TEAM?
As many as you like, as long as you are able to follow necessary CDC health and safety guidelines.
WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?
Grand prize (judges award), sponsored by Fireworx: $1,000 cash, all-access TALLPasses to the 21st annual Tallgrass Film Festival (to be held Oct. 5-8 and online), and an official selection screening at the 21st Annual Tallgrass Film Festival.
Second place (judges award): $500 cash, all-access TALLPasses to the film festival.
Third place (judges award): $500 cash and individual film tickets to the film festival.
Student filmmaker award: $500 cash, all-access TALLPasses to the film festival.
Female filmmaker award: $500 cash, all-access TALLPasses to the film festival.
Audience award, sponsored by The Kansas African American Museum: $100 cash, all-access TALLPasses to the film festival and an official selection screening at the film festival.
WHAT IS THE TOP 10 SHOWCASE?
All films will be judged and the top 10 will be chosen by Tallgrass programmers.
The top 10 will then be critiqued live by a panel of guest judges at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at the Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway. Tickets for the showcase are $10, available at https://tallgrassfilmcenter.eventive.org/. All ages are welcome but be warned that films are unrated and may not be suitable for all audiences.
WHAT KIND OF FILM SHOULD I MAKE?
The genre is wide open and up to you: Comedy, drama, horror, musical, animation, stop motion, thriller, whatever.
DO I NEED MY OWN GEAR?
Yes, but use what you have at your disposal. Several teams in the past have shot their films on iPhones. (They are 4K resolution, after all.) You’ll also have to pay attention to getting good audio. Very important.
WHAT CAN WE DO AHEAD OF TIME?
Not much. The whole point of the competition is to create your entire film in 36 hours. You can, however, put your team together, scout possible locations, and test equipment and cameras, just don’t try to write or work on your final film.
WHAT’S WITH THE REQUIRED ELEMENTS?
As if making a short film in just 36 hours isn’t hard enough, each team will also be provided with some criteria or elements that must be incorporated into their films. These elements will be very clearly stated on Friday night to avoid any confusion.
Reach Rod Pocowatchit at rodrick@rawdzilla.com.
