9point88: Ultra-Short Filmmaking Challenge
9point88 is a 10 second film competition that has challenged filmmakers to make an interesting and compelling story in the short space of 10 seconds. Luca Flailabrese a fellow course mate introduced me to the the website, where the competition streams entries from this years candidates. Watching entry after entry we came to the conclusion that we should put our minds together in order to come up with a concept for the competition.
Me and Luca had worked briefly together on his D&AD entry, producing an end product that looked visually stunning. There for I feel very positive about our collaboration and look forward to getting underway with the project.
Luca had a burst of inspiration from a short story known as 'Knock', also known as the shortest story ever told.
- "The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door..."
We decided that this could be a nice little concept that we could easily bring to life. Luca instantly had a location in mind, an old nuclear bunker in York. The first challenge was to establish in a matter of seconds, why this man in this room is the last man on earth. We decided that the only effective method of conveying this information to the audience was to add an audio bite of some sort of scanning mechanism. As it bleeps like a sonar device, scanning for lifeforms on the planet.
Together we storyboarded to the short 10 second sequence into a hand full of clips. Starting with temporal/spacial shots that exaggerate how empty the bunker is that this lonely human lives in. As the scanning mechanism bleeps the shots change to other spatial shots amplifying the empty space of the bunker. Metaphorically conveying a sense of emptiness both in the universe of the film and the bunker.
On approximately the 4th beep the camera will cut to a lonely figure, who is resting his eyes on a desk next to the scanning mechanism. It is at this point that the artificial intelligence computer that is running the scan announces that there are no life forms detected on planet earth.
As the lonely sole stares bewildered into the computer he hears a knock on the large metal dor of the bunker.
The lonely man, turn round instantaneously in shock and horror as the film ends on a mid-close up reaction shot of his face.
After coming up with the storyboard we pondered on where we could source an actor who looked like they had lived in a bunker for a year or so. Unfortunately we came to no conclusion but on the other hand I managed to convince Luca that he was right for the part. That all he needed was to apply a light amount of ageing makeup. A fellow course mate Sophie Linney agreed to apply the makeup on Luca.
Logistics
A 10 minute drive from Leeds college of Art up Otley road is Lawnswood, a secure site that holds an old nuclear bunker known as 'Leeds War Room Region'. The area houses departments for DWP and other government agencies, which would suggest that the area is not easy to access. Local urban exploring forums confirmed that the area is monitored by CCTV and patrolled by security guards. However, Nick Catford from the Yorkshire evening post managed to capture a glimpse of what the inside of the bunker looks like.
Although getting permission to film at this bunker may take weeks to be authorised by the military. As a last attempt we could turn up to the site on thursday and ask for permission to do the take there and then.
Me and Luca had worked briefly together on his D&AD entry, producing an end product that looked visually stunning. There for I feel very positive about our collaboration and look forward to getting underway with the project.
The Idea
- "The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door..."
Together we storyboarded to the short 10 second sequence into a hand full of clips. Starting with temporal/spacial shots that exaggerate how empty the bunker is that this lonely human lives in. As the scanning mechanism bleeps the shots change to other spatial shots amplifying the empty space of the bunker. Metaphorically conveying a sense of emptiness both in the universe of the film and the bunker.
On approximately the 4th beep the camera will cut to a lonely figure, who is resting his eyes on a desk next to the scanning mechanism. It is at this point that the artificial intelligence computer that is running the scan announces that there are no life forms detected on planet earth.
As the lonely sole stares bewildered into the computer he hears a knock on the large metal dor of the bunker.
The lonely man, turn round instantaneously in shock and horror as the film ends on a mid-close up reaction shot of his face.
After coming up with the storyboard we pondered on where we could source an actor who looked like they had lived in a bunker for a year or so. Unfortunately we came to no conclusion but on the other hand I managed to convince Luca that he was right for the part. That all he needed was to apply a light amount of ageing makeup. A fellow course mate Sophie Linney agreed to apply the makeup on Luca.
Logistics
The deadline for 9point88 is the 11th of April, which gives us a week or so to produce the video. Although the production only need to be 10 seconds long, a location, organisation and planning needs to be arranged.
I began by e-mailing the Nuclear Bunker in York to which I was redirected several times to different members of staff. Finally I made it through to the PR manager of English Heritage Lindsay Porter.
"Hellos LindseyMy name is Tom Stephens, a third year student at Leeds College of Art studying Digital Film, Games and Animation.I am currently looking to enter 9 point 88 film festival, showcasing 10 second films. I am looking to shoot a 10 second film at the Yorkshire bunker between the dates of the 7th -10th of April. I would like to enquire whether or not we can use the bunker to capture 10 seconds of film in the space of about half an hour? I am very excited to get underway with the project and look forward to your response.Yours Faithfully Tom Stephens"
To which I received no reply, even after calling up her office several time. I then sent out a second e-mail -
"Hello Lindsey, sorry to pester you again but would it be possible to film the 10 seconds on Tuesday the 8th of April? If not when would be a less busier time to film this short take?"
Lindsey replied stating that -
"Hello,Tom,
Really sorry, we are a very small press office and have been focusing on our season openings this week. Next week is too soon and also the site is nt one daily. What is your deadline to complete this? If can get some feedback for you early next week.
Many thanks
Lindsey"
Today I called Lindsey up to confirm if there is no possible timeframe that we could shoot our 10 second film. She informed me that there could be a possibility that the bunker will be open on thursday but could not guarantee it.
It seems to me that there are two options that I can take in order to meet the deadline on friday the 11th of April.
- wait till thursday and hope that we can film at the bunker in York
- find another location to shoot the sequence
Really sorry, we are a very small press office and have been focusing on our season openings this week. Next week is too soon and also the site is nt one daily. What is your deadline to complete this? If can get some feedback for you early next week.
Many thanks
Lindsey"
Today I called Lindsey up to confirm if there is no possible timeframe that we could shoot our 10 second film. She informed me that there could be a possibility that the bunker will be open on thursday but could not guarantee it.
- find another location to shoot the sequence
Lawnswood Government Buildings
Although getting permission to film at this bunker may take weeks to be authorised by the military. As a last attempt we could turn up to the site on thursday and ask for permission to do the take there and then.
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