FilmSchoolSF alumni (and one current student) came together once again to take part in the National Film Challenge. Skipping sleep and living on caffeine and creative adrenaline, these intrepid filmmakers got a chance to put to practice all the things that they’ve learned at SFSDF.

What is the National Film Challenge?
The National Film Challenge is an exhilarating worldwide filmmaking competition from the creators of the 48 Hour Film Project and KDHX Community Media. The Premise: Participating teams have just one weekend to write, shoot and edit a short film or video. Regardless of where you live, this is your opportunity to experience the 48 Hour Film Project phenomenon!

Filmmaking is hard enough under even the best of circumstances. Trying to create something in a mere 48 hours is downright nuts.

“The best part of these film challenges is spending time with your best friends, not sleeping and doing what you and they both love…filmmaking. It’s a great reminder of why I chose to go to FilmSchoolSF and why I chose to get in this business in the first place. I am grateful for the people I get to work with on these because their passion and dedication throughout the process always reinspires me.” – Staci DeGagne, Editor/Sound/Color Grading

Results have yet to arrive but Team BBQ Dreadlock feels confident that they will do well. More importantly, they understand how a filmmaking experience like this is part the “big picture” – another important part of maturing into strong filmmakers.

“Every project we work on we learn so much from. Yes, these challenges are fast and short, but that doesn’t detract from how much we gain from them. The only way to become a better filmmaker is by doing, something which we all learned from our time at school.” – Chris Mosson, Director

Last year, a team made up of many of the same players won in three categories in the same competition. Known then as Team Chaka Khan, their film KEYED took home “Best Film”, “Best Screenplay” and “Best Editing”.

But, wait there’s more! A few of these folks collaborated on two other “film contests” these being the 48 Hour Film Competition (put on by National Film Challenge people). These films, THE PERFECT CHORD and SERVO featured the work of Staci DeGagne, Maria Bernal-Silva, Chris Mosson, Matt Alhona and a few others. Honestly, these folks work together in so many incarnations and on so many films that it is difficult to keep them in order. Spend a few minutes with THE SLEEP MONITOR.

THE SLEEP MONITOR

CAST/CREW

Chris Mosson (Class 8) – Director
Alexander Fletcher (Class 7) – Director of Photography
Keren Hantman (Class 7) – Assistant Director
Staci DeGagne (Class 3) – Editor/Sound/Color Grading
Harmony Nichol (Class 7) – Production Design
Sydonie Kopels (Class 10) – Assistant Editor
Sean Paul Sullivan (Class 6) – Assistant Camera/Actor
Maria Bernal-Silva (Class 3) – Art Direction
Ryan Anderson (Class 7) – Gaffer
Aaron Castro (Class 9) – Sound
Dorian Young – Actor
Jessica Sapick – Actress
Jonathan Danh – Composer