50 filmmakers had 48 hours to materialize their visions that could either make them or break them in an industry that is fueled by dreams.
The Quickies this year was a competition unlike the previous year. This year "The Quickies" had sponsors and more involvement by the industry which is certainly a sight that should be seen more often in South Africa's film industry.
While speaking with the producer of "The Quickies", Marguerite Albrecht, she was clear on what she wanted Quickies to achieve. By introducing the filmmakers of one minute movies in baby steps to the public with this platform, she wants to create a connection with the two and in doing so, have the SA public accept our countries filmmakers and change the belief of our film industries standard. Here's an example, imagine an SA movie starring Richard from Big Brother 2? You'd get an audience into the cinema wouldn't you? Of course.
To assist the Quickies in part of the film process was The Core Group, who provided cutting edge Apple technology (hardware and software) to the filmmakers and to edit they used the award winning software Final Cut Pro 3. According to RJ Van Spaandonk, the Director of the Core Group, funding for a setup is avaliable over a four year plan and for under R100,000 the budding filmmaker in you could have a professional setup you've always wanted.
When meeting with Athos and Lebone of the publicity team for the second press tour I could feel the creative buzz in the Vega School of Branding, which was the nerve centre for The Quickies. My visits to various movie sets throughout the dirty weekend included "Pasta" by Blessing Mbonambi, filmed in an Italian restaurant in Melville, Joburg. As a virgin contestant and 18 years of age, Blessing created a movie that displayed a character's vision of his life in one minute. Blessing was one of two filmmakers which I followed right through to the last minute (excuse the pun) of the process.
The second was of "Web Cam" done by professional contestant Helen Iskander which looks at the world of teens, pop culture and the internet. Both end results were fantastic with regards to final mixing courtesy of Audio Arts which did brilliant jobs and worked well with creating the sounds that the filmmakers wanted. Two of the others I visited were "Wound" by Jeana Theron, starring an Isidingo actress and then 13-year old Kwanele Makhoba's "Jesus Might Still Be Around" which had a short insert on SABC 3 news hour.
When speaking to certain contestants about the concepts and stories they created, it was great to hear and see the level of thinking and research that had gone into the short films. Just things like, where some chose to begin their story was a vision in itself into where some filmmakers were heading career wise.
Those contestants new to filmmaking also learnt that decision making is all part and parcel of the movie business and even more work goes on behind the camera. I observed a common scenorio where one had completed everything but their final mix, walking into the studio they had a song they loved since before the shooting of their movie but only to then find that it just might not be the most effective one for it as they were then introduced to a library full of other music that was just as good if not better. A decision had to be made and made fast. Once again, a decision that could make or break a quickie.
What I witnessed this weekend was something that South Africa needs to take on more often - not just over a weekend but perhaps as two high concept commercial (Hollywood style) South African feature films per month per city with publicity at its highest.
I also just want to say a very special thank you to all of those at The Quickies Company and the publicity team for standing to have me around probably longer than any other "observer" and especially to the filmmakers, sponsors, crews, actors/actresses and anyone else that had a finger in The Quickies... you guys made it possible. Keep it up and see you again soon.
With a dirty weekend full of passion, drama, sleepless nights and caffeine highs -- all will be revealed on the 2nd of December at Rosebank, Joburg and at the Cape Town Waterfront. May the passionate be recognised!
