Alrighty! The other day, Fletch mentioned a little somethin’ somethin’ that we’ve come up with over at the LAMB Forums (inspired by somebody else entirely). Now it’s time to announce it.

It’s summer time, so we thought the LAMBs should put on some shorts. Short films, that is. The LAMB is having a Short Films Contest! So let’s just get straight into the rules, shall we?

Rules & Restrictions:

1) Any current LAMB is eligible for this contest.

2) To make it easier and more flexible on everybody involved, everybody can write their own script so that everybody doesn’t have to go by the same exact thing (it’ll help see everybody’s vast imaginations, as well).

3) The named entrant does not have to write, direct, or even star in his/her own film, but will at least have to act as producer given the nature of the contest (though, really, which one of us doesn’t want to at least direct our own film?). You can get anybody to do any of it for you (including writing, for those *cough*Fletch*cough* who don’t want to write their own movie).

4) Important: At least part of the movie’s story must revolve around a divorcing or splitting couple fighting over what DVDs/BluRays go to whom. As long as that’s a part of what makes the plot go ’round, it’s all good.

5) The movie can be anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes, opening/closing credits excluded (so it can be 20 minutes… if you have 5 minutes of credits on top of a 15 minute movie. However, this does not include credits that are interjected with your opening/closing scene… so no being tricky there).

6) This is nothing professional, so don’t feel overwhelmed or obliged to go out and buy professional equipment or use non-protected things (specific music, brands, etc.). You can use copyrighted material. We don’t care. As long as the film itself is original.

7) If you do pay for anything, including cast or crew fees, the LAMB will not reimburse you. This is just for fun, so–again–don’t feel you must go out of your way.

8) The movie can be any genre–drama, romance, comedy, thriller, horror, etc. However you see the story–as long as it includes the aforementioned stipulation (get it? Because it was number 4?… fine then)–go for it.

9) For contest purposes, the completed film is due by August 31, 2009.

10) It would be lovely if you could email me (nicholasjobe@gmail.com) to let me know if you think you might participate. Though just because you tell me you’ll participate doesn’t mean you have to. It would just be nice to know how many to potentially expect come August 31. And when ready to turn in the film, you can upload it to YouTube (or some other free video sharing place) and send a link to me at said email address.

Prizes:

Once all entries are received, multiple polls will be set up. LAMBs will be able to view all entries via YouTube (or some other free video sharing place) and vote on their favorites in a few different categories (think of it like the Oscars… or LAMMYs, but not as detailed). The winner will receive some kind of prize… depending on the turnout for the contest. It could be anything from a special button (like for the LAMMYs) or, if there is a big enough turnout, there could be something bigger (at least for the “Best Short” winner). We’ll know as it gets closer to August 31.

Anywho… let’s start filmmaking! Can’t wait to see what we get.

A confluence of events led to not only a weekend spent with some LAMBs (virtually and in reality), but also to the usage of the word “confluence,” which isn’t one that I get to use very often. Let me explain.

To start off the weekend, I got an email from Mikey Filmmaker of Spaghetti Sauce and Sweet Peas. Mikey had seen that I was from Phoenix, and it just so happened that a film he produced, I Saved the World from Global Warming, was being played at the Phoenix Film Festival (which, like the formerly titled Phoenix Open, is actually held in Scottsdale, but whatever). As a bonus, Mikey was planning on road-tripping from the City of Angels with some of his fellow filmmaking buddies to catch the screening. Mrs. Fletch and I were planning on hitting the festival this weekend at some point (since we’re festival regulars these days), but this gave us a perfect reason not to miss it.

Global Warming was playing in one of two “Arizona Shorts” collections, so we headed out Saturday morning to see them. It tells the tale of a man that, some years past, came up with the solution/”cure” for global warming. The only problem is, he was barely recognized at the time for his contribution, and, all this time later, works as a forgotten high school teacher questioning what to do for an encore. It’s a well-written gonzo comedy, with crude (but effective) animation mixed in. The two leads are hilarious, and the production values are high. As an eventual wannabe filmmaker myself, I enjoy watching shorts, mostly for inspiration, but also to see the diversity in quality that can be done on a (relative to features) budget. I can gladly say with no bullsh*t that Global Warming was far and away the best of the seven shorts in the program we saw.

As a result, we were glad to meet up with Mikey (aka Mike) after the screening. The first ever LAMB-to-LAMB meeting (note: not as kinky as it sounds)! Luckily for Mike, the co-directors of the film held a short Q & A session immediately following the screening, so we didn’t have to interrogate him on the whats, whens and hows of his film. But we did get a little background and, more importantly, got to meet a fellow movie lover (and blogger), in what I can only hope will be the first of many meetings between LAMBs. I’d wish Mike much success in his future as a producer, but (seriously) judging by the quality of this one, he doesn’t need my assistance.

To cap off the night, we popped in a recent DVD purchase - the complete works of unHeralded Films, also known as the brainchild of fellow LAMB Shea Sizemore and Paul Metzger. The guys (and gals) of unHeralded have put up their collection of shorts for sale on the site linked above for a modest $10, and I highly recommend it. It features the work of Shea (who serves primarily as writer/director), Paul (actor/writer), another fellow LAMB Adam Frazier (writer/actor/producer), Tim Grant (cinematographer/writer) and Krystal Liner (producer), amongst others.

The feature presentation here is their latest, Occupato. I’ll let them describe it: “Occupato adds a twist on the horror genre. This is a tale of unexpected heroism and courage amidst the strangest of circumstances…and guarantees you will never look at a portable toilet the same way again.” It’s a beautifully shot, 15-minute (or so) film that features Frazier as its star (well, outside of the portable toilet). More importantly, with this being the latest and greatest, and with the rest of the collection on the disc, it gives the viewer an insider’s gaze at the growth of a filmmaking team. From Shea’s humble beginnings as a claymation director (Poo Hero) all the way through to efforts on a music video, documentary and a few 72-hour film contest entries, the progression is clear, as each film seems to add an element previously missing from the one before it, whether that be an original score, added camera angles, or access to greater props. My only complaint? I’d have liked the DVD menu to have presented the films in opposite order, guiding the viewer from oldest to newest, rather than vice-versa. Oh, and how dare they not put Poo Hero on the unHeralded filmography page. A travishamockery, I say!

Could there be a LAMB Film Festival in the future? Who knows, but with talent like this on hand, I’d certainly like to think so.