CHALLENGES
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 11:10PM There are no set themes at Kino - shoot whatever you like! Don't know where to start? These optional CHALLENGES might spur you into action! Hit the links for further inspiration!
AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM - FILMMAKER IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Score four hours of free reign in the Australian Museum to shoot whatever you like! How often do you get to shoot a film with dinosaur fossils, taxidermied lions or live snakes?
This challenge includes the opportunity to interview Museum experts, or film at Jurassic Lounge, the Museum's after hours arts and music event. Documentary, experimental, music video, comedy... it's up to you!
Please note - only one group per month can take up the Museum challenge. Contact kino@kinosydney.com to book in a slot.
Previous filmmakers-in-residence:
- Dominic Barlow: Floor Is Made Of Lava
FILM NOIR
Step back into the classic genre where suits are always sharp, cigarettes are omnipresent, Femme Fatales are always devious and the protagonist's inner monologue just won't shut up.
Film Noir involves a very distinct lighting style - you can suss out techniques here.
SILENT FILM
Creating a film with no dialogue soundtrack is not as easy as it sounds - but it does open up a whole range of possibilities.
Take inspiration from the likes of Charlie Chaplin and make use of title cards to get your story across.
Think you can create a film without any editing or cuts? With a bucket load of rehearsal under your belt, you can make jaw-dropping films in one take.
Make use of a home made camera dolly, like a skateboard, shopping trolley, or a bag with a hole for your lens, for super cheap, smooth tracking shots.
Haven't made a film before but have an eye for photography? Stop Motion might be an excellent place to start!
Use your stills camera to take a succession of shots that when placed in sequence create the impression of movement.
Seen too many David Attenborough documentaries and reckon you can create something better/funnier? Put your voice over skills to work as you capture the secret life of your neighbourhood cat, rat or hipster.
RESTRICTED COLOUR PALETTE
Think of 'Suspiria' or 'We Need To Talk About Kevin', where colours have been manipulated to stand out, and represent an important aesthetic element of the film.
Focus on different colours during the shooting process, or use colour manipulation in post-production, to create films with a unique, surreal look.
Got a wardrobe teeming with '70s flares or Victorian bonnets? Why not recreate another era on film, with a classic period piece?
Animation is a time consuming art form that requires hours sitting behind the computer, and may not be for the novice; but on the plus side, you don't have to cast actors, find locations or get a crew organised!
Beginning with a Haiku poem, create a poetic film that captures the meaning of each sentence.
Create a 30 second Kino ad that we can use to promote Kino Sydneyor Kino Kabaret on the night!
Have a film in mind that requires a series of mountains but don't have the cash to trek to the Himalayas? Luckily, you can create a green screen in your home! You'll need a large piece of green or blue fabric (or a wall to paint!), and the time to spend editing in the background image, but a home-made green screen really does allow you to create impressive effects on a minimal budget!
Everyone loves puppets!
Want to poke fun at the direness of most television? Making a mock TV program is the ultimate outlet. Think cooking programs, soap operas, crime shows...
Hook up with a local musician and create a music video with them! Song lyrics are a ready made mine of inspiration, and there are heaps of local musos dying to get film clips. Need to get hooked up with a band? Give us a yell - bands who've strutted their stuff on the Kino stage would love to be put in contact with you.
Known to cause a bit of a song and dance? Unleash your song writing abilities with a musical short film!
Got a large scale film idea in your head? Creating a trailer is a smart way to start pitching your idea to film networks and sponsors. And Kino's the perfect place to get feedback on your trailer and film idea from like-minded filmmakers, before heading out on your feature film making journey!
Got another challenge idea that we haven't come up with? Maybe you'd like to see a certain challenge at the next Kino? Shoot an email to kino@kinosydney.com. We're all about feedback and ideas!