Busy Weekend: Another 48, Casting Call for Steel Town, and Preparing for Potter

The 48-Hour Film Project.

This weekend, Beirut and Pittsburgh have something in common: both cities are taking their turn participating in the 48-Hour Film Project, a global exercise in filmmaking which will see 10 of the best films internationally showcased at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

This is a different festival than the one I participated in back in May, but they are similar in a few ways. First, the films must be 5 to 7 minutes long and be of a specifically-assigned genre and with a certain line of dialogue included. In this project, filmmakers must also use a specific prop. Up for grabs in the local contest are a trophy, the right to compete in the international finals, and awards in categories such as direction, cinematography, and score.

According to local producer Kahmeela Adams, the number of competitors is up this year from 31 to 35. Each team pre-registered and paid a fee for the right to participate in this project, which is in its 10th year of existence.

Those who are without a team can register on the site with their skill set, in the hope that a team who needs them will call. Because my team from the Guerrilla was not up to doing another 48 this soon, I'm currently in that boat, so hopefully I'll have the chance to help someone out this weekend.

Bottom line: It's intense, but it's a lot of fun!

Casting Call for "Steel Town."

"Steel Town," the feature starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Holly Hunter, Rosie Perez, and Ving Rhames, has an open casting call this weekend for some 800 NEW extras who have not yet worked on the production. I'd be all over this, but my 7-year-old and I have "already had too much screen time."

Here's what I'll tell you, if you go. Bring a large purse or a backpack, and fill it with your clothing options, a water bottle, snacks, a good book, and some wet wipes (in case you're very hot, can't leave the set, and need to cool off). Do NOT bring a laptop because you won't necessarily have time or opportunity to use it, and can't bring it on set with you. Be prepared to spend 12 - 14 hours there, but this is filled with a lot of down time. If you have problems standing or sitting for long periods of time (I have a back injury and was fine with ibuprofen), you should re-consider.

Bottom line: It's a great experience for one day, and you usually end up making around $85/day for mostly doing nothing.

Gearing Up for The Final Potter

Unless you're living under a rock, you have probably heard that the last film in the "Harry Potter" series is premiering at midnight, next Friday. I scored tickets to an advance screening, so may have an early (non-spoileriffic) review to share. Are you going to the midnight, dressing up, or otherwise observing the Potter Passage? Let me know!