break a leg

SHORT FILM 2019 VF48HOURS NATIONAL FINALIST

Fresh into Wellington, what we all lacked in experience was more than made up for with excitement and passion.

Weir House provided us an amazing opportunity, and quickly through word-of-mouth and the Facebook page, dozens of people had come together.

Living in such close proximity also blessed us with the ability to, over the hectic 48 hours, sleep in our own beds, call regular meetings, and move gear quickly. We were given an entire conference room to host the production.

OLIVER BUILT THE TEAM, MANAGED THE EQUIPMENT, AND LEAD THE EDIT - BUT THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE ON THE TEAM THAT HE’D BARELY MET

In student films, there is a risk of creative differences and role-overlaps building to a breaking point, especially without clear hierarchies. In break a leg, everyone slotted into their area of expertise perfectly. Be it Will playing guitar, Ben composing piano melodies, Fin workshopping actors, Josh blocking, Maddy hounding the Uni for use of the backstage location, Becca seamlessly improvising, or Tanner and his Spiderman suit… the list goes on. We didn’t have time to get invested in each-other’s buisiness.

Yes, this is a one-take film.

When we received the required genre of a ‘real-time movie’, this was to us the only clear option. Luckily Oliver spent enough time in After Effects throughout high school to be able to make six invisible cuts throughout the film. Simplicity led to innovation - our sound was all recorded through the boom guy (Josh), who was a character in the mockumentary-esque film itself, and wirelessly synced by a RodeLink. This meant that in the edit we had only to choose a take, transition the cuts seamlessly, and not spend much time sound mixing or assembling.

Oliver thought the film was alright, BUT

WE KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK

The heats proved uneventful, save for an unsettlingly positive review from one well-known member of the short film community. Then when we were shortlisted for the Wellington finals, we began to realize what we had. At finals, we won best use of location, and were nominated for several categories.

It didn’t stop there, as we were then included in the Grand Finals, hosted in Auckland. Out of nearly a thousand films - many made by experienced crews and production agencies - we were one of the top 25. To see our film in the Opera House was an incredible experience.

“Holy-one shot baby! Incredibly well done backstage piece as a troupe of actors got ready for their play to begin, we swirled through curtains and dressing rooms, past affairs and meltdowns all the while somehow being able to let a few of the characters actually develop depth and personality, all with the most steadihanded camera I can remember for a one-take film (though I think I saw a cheeky edit). The lead actress, tree number 4 and the would be vampiress all had memorable moments. Impressive stuff, and I think this is a shoe-in for a cinematography nomination at least. Close to a 7/7. Might be on repeat viewings. Sometimes I hate star ratings but what I did not hate was this film. Probable finals.”

steelpotato (prolific 48hrs reviewer)