Tag Archives: competition

Sidewalk Scramble Screening this week

A grungy plumber dressed in a jumpsuit casually walks into the Upside-down Plaza bar in 5 Points South, downtown Birmingham.  He gives a nod to a customer sitting at the bar as he passes by. A few minutes later the customer follows the plumber into the back bathroom. A tool box opens and guns are distributed. They both know what to do. An epic orchestral soundtrack starts. (Think “Batman: The Dark Knight”). Every aspect of the plan has been thought out as they bust open the office door where the winnings of the illegal gambling front are kept…

The director yells “CUT!” as the camera dollies out on the homemade track system made of PVC pipe and plywood.  Actors double as grips, lighting techs and cinematographers. Grip trucks consist of a fleet of old Honda Civics and Ford Rangers that also double as fast moving dollies and get road shots. Props and wardrobe are found by digging through the bins at the local thrift stores. Catering and craft services are provided by dollar stores and Big Lots usually consisting of a 5-pound bag of almost expired pretzels and Werther’s candy in some very bendy paper bowls and questionable Mexican fruit drinks.

This is short film in Birmingham.

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A few changes to Sidewalk’s Scramble

The word came down this afternoon – there are some changes in store for the upcoming Sidewalk Scramble.

Sidewalk XToday the festival’s parent organization, the Alabama Moving Image Association, announced it’s plans for Scramble X, the first ever 10-day edition of the popular event.

Yeah, it’s just a little longer than the normal “caffeine-fueled 48 hour period, but that’s still not a lot of time. They’re promising a winner take all pot of $500 and a DVD of your creation included with your team’s entry fee.

It starts on July 11 with the films screened at WorkPlay on July 30. More details to come, but to get a better understanding of what this is all about, you may want to check out the competition’s info page on Sidewalk’s website (including a list of the winners of the Winter 2008 Scramble).