Archive for May, 2013

May242013

Why is DepicT! so important to emerging filmmakers?

Still from Donut by Hazel GrianHazel Grian’s playful and hilarious short films Big Career and Donut were shortlisted by DepicT! in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Since then her career has taken incredible turns, and she has worked with some of the biggest names in the business. Creator of The Simpsons Matt Groening says that Hazel is a ‘funny filmmaking genius’. Does praise come much higher than that?

We interviewed Hazel via email to get her insight into why DepicT! was so valuable to her…

What drew you to the 90 second format?

It’s an achievable length to create a competition level story with no budget.

What was your level of experience before submitting to DepicT?

I’d been making shorts of around 10-15 minutes for around 10 years. I started making micro shorts in the late 90s when the internet made it possible to find an audience. The internet also encouraged the micro format because the technology at that time could best handle small files. I first heard that it was possible to make a micro short film from film-music composer friends who were working with richard kwietniowski who had made films just a minute or so in length.

What have you been up to since your DepicT! success? Where did the competition take you?

I used short video clips as part of larger online narratives called Alternate Reality Games – interactive drama. I was script writer for interactive online drama KateModern, I co-created the Star Trek ARG and spent a year with Aardman Animations.

Can you sum up for us why DepicT! is so important to emerging filmmakers?

It forces you to concentrate on communicating with the audience and not being vague or introspective. For me you must have a very strong emotional impact and absolute clarity.

May092013

Catching up with a 2012 winner

Image of Mole Hill with Dave Sproxton

Mole Hill receives the main DepicT! 2012 award from Dave Sproxton of Aardman Animations

Mole Hill won DepicT! 2012 with Fat Cat, his fantastic animated commentary on the desire to make excessive amounts of money.

We caught up with Mole Hill recently to gain some insight, for those of you who are thinking of applying…

What drew you to the 90 second format?

I really like the 90 second format, shorter than a short but longer than a commercial it gives enough time to tell a fairly complex story, whilst forcing the film-maker to be succinct.

What was your level of experience before submitting to DepicT?

I’ve been knocking around for ages, I started out making shorts for C4 back in the 80s and have worked on children’s series, commercials, stings – anything that comes along really.  Over the last few years I’ve started making shorts again, taking advantage of the new technologies that have made film-making so accessible lately.

What have you been up to since your DepicT! success? Where did the competition take you?

Winning at Depict was fantastic – It’s particularly good that the films get a bit of distribution after the event itself.  I used the prize money to buy a camera and have started on a new short – I’ve completed the first shot, so at this rate it should be finished sometime in 2020!

In 9 words can you sum up why DepicT! is so important to emerging filmmakers?

A great showcase, a firm deadline, a creative opportunity.

Watch Fat Cat now →

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