STEPHENVILLE, NL – It’s time to bring out your ghoulish side and think of chilling ways you can put together a short film in 48 hours for this year’s Halloween Film Festival challenge.
College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Digital Filmmaking program is issuing a provincial challenge, beginning Friday, October 25, for participants to create short Halloween films over a 48-hour period. This timed filmmaking competition dares individuals and teams to showcase their spooky story idea, shoot the film, and edit the footage into a short horror film.
“With no experience required, this challenge welcomes anybody who is interested in filmmaking and the process of filmmaking,” said Peter Buckle, an instructor of the program. “While every other major holiday involves reverence, reflection and good cheer, many see Halloween as an opportunity to let loose, telling spooky stories and being able to dress up and be someone else for a day. It really gets everyone in the spirit.”
Buckle says students in the program wanted to do something that would show Halloween spirit, so they conjured up the Halloween Film Festival as a way for people to express themselves creatively.
“Last year was a great success. The reason why we chose Halloween was it is a fun time of the year to make movies and we had some amazing entries. With this being the third year, we hope to encourage some more people to make films and go bigger and better.”
Once the spook-tacular competition gets under way, participants will be given mysterious clues – anything from lines of dialogue, props, costumes, themes, etc. – that must be used in the final version of the film.
The devil is in the details
On Friday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m., participants must tune in online via Facebook (www.facebook.com/CNAfilm), where the opening ceremony will be live-streamed. It is there that Buckle and fellow instructor, Keith Bonnell, will explain how film enthusiasts can tell their bone-chilling stories.
“We encourage people to use any equipment they have at their disposal to make their films,” said Buckle. “It’s not just about creating the most professional-looking film. There are many categories up for awards, and we want people to have fun with this.”
All films must be submitted via YouTube by Sunday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. They will then be reviewed by a third-party panel comprised of CNA staff. The screening of the final cuts, as well as the announcement of winners, will be shown during the 48-Hour Halloween Film Festival Facebook live-stream on Monday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
To register, simply fill out and submit the application form by Friday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. For the registration form, or for more information on the rules and prizes available to be won, visit www.cna.nl.ca/halloween.
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Media Contact:
Michelle Barry
Communications Manager
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
michelle.barry@cna.nl.ca