A while back I wrote about a 48 hour documentary project, now along comes a 48-hour PSA project that is the brainchild of Asian Arts Initiative Executive Director Gayle Isa and Sara Zia Ebrahimi, who shared some thoughts on this site about film co-ops. Because of the meetings, the event is largely Philadelphia-based, but if you're interested in participating you might send them an email (info below) to inquire if you can play along. (They're planning on uploading to BlipTV, after all.)
One of the more interesting aspects of this 48-hour project is that, as far as I can tell, it's non-competitive. While I'm sure the collective nature of the project will push everyone to do their best work (wanting to "top" each other, etc.) the emphasis, in the end, is on the making work and the collective spirit that comes from participation in such a thing. A small change, but a big difference that is entirely appropriate for a project dealing with this subject matter.
No Time to Waste The 48-hour PSA Project Confronting War
This is a call out to local artists, activists, filmmakers, musicians, poets, carpenters, office workers, janitors—anyone! who is frustrated with any of the wars this country is engaged in, at home or abroad, and wants to send a message to the world about it—a digital message. The 48-hour PSA Project will bring together people in the Philadelphia area to create 30-60 second public service announcements against war within a 48-hour period. At the end of the 48 hours the videos will be posted on the Internet and available for viewing by millions of people worldwide. Join us for a digital mobilization where instead of posters and signs our digital media conveys our message!
How it works:
Individuals will group together in "pods" of 4-8 people. Each pod should have at least one person who fits each of these specifications:
access to a video camera
access to editing software such as Final Cut Pro or iMovie and working knowledge of editing.
We also recommend selecting roles for each person in your group based on your needs (camera operator, script writer, narrator, researcher, etc.) before the 48-hour period begins.
All pods will meet up on Saturday September 9th in the morning for a brief introduction to the project. They will each have 48 hours to come up with a concept, shoot it, edit it, and compress it for web uploading. A public event and screening of all the PSAs will occur on Monday evening, September 11th. The PSAs will also eventually be compiled onto a DVD that will be available for distribution.
How to enter: Please email the "Group Application" form below to psas_against_war@hotmail.com. You will receive a confirmation email as well as more detailed information on the project and the 48-hour weekend.
If you are interested in participating but don't have enough other people to group with, please email the "Request to Join a Group" form below to psas_against_war@hotmail.com. We will put you in contact with others so that you can all participate!
**Group applications are due by Monday September 3rd.**
How much does it cost? $5 per individual, and two days of your time. Money goes toward breakfast Saturday morning, a miniDV tape, and administrative expenses.
When and where? Participants will meet up on Saturday, September 9th at 9:30am at the Asian Arts Initiative, 1315 Cherry Street, 2nd floor. The project ends at 9:30am on September 11th. More details will be given once your group has registered.