| | Published February 15th, 2012
| Moraga Team Takes Second Place at Iron Filmmaker
| | By Cathy Tyson |
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 | | Campolindo Dream Team members from left: Jacquie Miller, Gail Wilson, Jeff Sawdon, Charlie Lowell, Hayden Hunt, Taylor Hunt, Sam Crossley.
Photo Kevin Nguyen
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Like chefs that battle it out in kitchen stadium with a secret ingredient and a limited amount of time, creative future Spielbergs have just twenty-four hours to create a three minute film based on a theme at the Iron Filmmaker contest that's one event at the California Independent Film Festival. Now in its ninth year, this competition is a highlight for many local teams, seven alone came from Campolindo High School. Exhausting but enjoyable, participating in the festivities surely looks fantastic on college applications.
On Sunday, February 12, the main auditorium was packed with filmmakers, friends and family to see the final product of all twenty-five teams' hard work and to find out who won. Sponsored by ITB designs, owner and master of ceremonies for the Iron filmmaker, Adam Reeves welcomed the crowd and announced, "The quality and the talent of filmmakers this year was outstanding - it was a very close competition."
This year's secret ingredient/theme was "There's no place like home." Teams came up with an amazing range of short films on the topic, from "There's no place like Clean," by Epsilon Studios about a fastidious young woman who is grossed out visiting the filthy home of friends, to a hilarious treatment in "Breadcrumbs" a Hansel and Gretel-esque production by Dirt Road Studios.
While the competition was fierce, not every team could win. Categories were expanded this year to include Best Cinematography - which joins First, Second and Third Place, Best Performance, the Audience Choice award, Most Creative Use of Theme and Honorable Mention.
"It's a totally fun process" said Taylor Hunt, who along with fellow Dream Team-mates Sam Crossley, Jeff Sadon, Charlie Lowell and little brother Hayden Hunt got very little sleep during the 24 hour marathon. Campolindo seniors Hunt and Crossley hope to go to film school after graduation. They credit Mr. Seligman and his video production class at Campolindo, specifically his philosophy of "learn by doing," for giving them the necessary tools and insight into filmmaking. They were inspired by real life - a homeless man who shared his books with other less fortunate fellows for their film, "Halfway."
Hunt says the process was non-stop, all the teams were briefed on the instructions and rules and got the theme on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. They had to turn in a completely finished three minute film by 11:00 a.m. the next day. Their first version came in way over the time budget at four minutes and twenty seconds. Hunt says he had to cut entire scenes to have the finished product meet the time requirement. Their hard work paid off, Dream Team won the Audience Choice Award and Second Place.
This was the first year that all teams completed the project, apparently in years past, some dropped out or didn't complete their films in time. The top six vote getters will be entered in the Sapporo International Short Film Festival later this year. Master of Ceremonies Reeves joked that while the films will be entered, filmmakers are on their own for airfare to Japan.
"CAIFF is very proud to support new and upcoming filmmakers, we want to foster creativity and growth" said Beau Behan, CAIFF Program Director. "Nothing can compare to seeing your film for the very first time on the big screen."
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| ... And the winners are:
First Place - Team No Pins - "Guilt"
Second Place - Dream Team - "Halfway"
Third Place - Ningnoggs Jr. - "Run, Beard, Run"
Audience Choice Award - Dream Team - "Halfway"
Best Cinematography - Ningnoggs Jr. - "Run Beard Run"
Most Creative Use of Theme - Paranoid Productions - "Man's Best Friend"
Honorable Mention - Team Rainbow - "The Fresh Start"
Best Performance - Teralyn Shields - Team No Pins - "Guilt"
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA