Everyone knows filmmaking is hard work. It takes tons of time and effort to make a good piece. And even under the best working environments and with weeks and weeks of planning, shooting a film is a maddening endeavor at best.

Now, take away the “time” and the flexibility and opportunity it affords and you have a new challenge altogether. Two months? Two weeks? How about 24 HOURS? We’re talkin’ ’bout film racing, folks!  Yeeeehaaawww!

Honestly, it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Why make something as complex and complicated as filmmaking that much more difficult? Because it’s fun. And fun doesn’t need to make sense.

We covered another batch of SFSDF student and alumni and their film competition a few months ago. SFSDF students have done well in these types of events in the past even winning three awards (Best Film, Best Editing, Best Screenplay) in the 2009 National Film Challenge.

Now it is Class 11’s turn to step into the craziness. We asked Richard Falzone, Producer/Director of Team Cranial Fortitude, a few questions before he and his team walked into film racing battle.

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Why would you do this to yourself?

Having done far worse in the name of commerce (places with no running water, Malaria, shootings and religious hymns). Film racing sounded like fun.

How did you choose your team?

Straws. Small straw loses and there you go. You direct. No, actually. It was easy. All of Class 11 day is involved, with an invitation to the night class, too. We are lucky enough to have a few ringers. Like Bill (Double Tap) Ulleseit and Fenny Kuo. Plus, after watching the screening last Saturday of our first projects, it just confirmed what I already knew; SFSDF has an incredible pool of talent here! We are still looking for actors!

Do we have a secret weapon?

Yes, but if I told you, I would then be forced to kill you and feed you to some type of zombie creature.

We’re going to check back with the filmmakers again over the weekend – and during their shoot – and also cover their screening at the Roxie on May 6th. Expect photos, video and deep insight into what it takes to win a 24hr Film Race.

Crew

Casting/Production Assistant: Adrea (“Dino”) Palladino
Editors: Keith (“Fabin Vanhooten Dersmoot”) Azoube, Fenny Kuo
Lighting/Sound: Bill (“Double Tap”) Ulleseit, Peter (“Ripone Pearl Two”) Rippon
Writer/Continuity: Sam (“Sam I Am”) Holmes
Director of Photography: (“Steven”) Tyler Johnson
First AD: Fenny Kuo
Second AD: Andrea (“Chile”) Kuncar
PA: Mysterious Cameroonian
Director/Producer: Richard (Fazi) Falzone