First phase of SATO 48 underway

The film-making portion, or phase one of the sixth edition Springfield And The Ozarks 48 is in progress. Registered teams have two days to write, shoot, edit, render, edit, render …….. complete and deliver a 5-minute film. No part of the film could be produced before the clock started Friday night, and scripts were yet to be created. Event organizers Jeff Clinkenbeard and Kyaw Tha Hla hand out “inspiration packages” which could be anything — a prop, a storyline, a dialogue requirement, or even a prohibition. One year teams weren’t allowed to use guns, even by reference.

Phase two is next weekend (April 23, 24) when the finished projects are screened at the Moxie. It is designed so the public can get involved and see the films. Meanwhile, scattered throughout the audience are members of a local selection committee. As with the big-time movie awards, each judge will focus on one aspect of each film (art direction, cinematography, etc.). The top ten films in each category are shipped to professionals around the world to decide the winners.

May 5 marks the final phase — the party. Hosted by Gillioz Theatre, it’s the Ozarks’ Oscars, if you will, the award ceremony. “When you look at the audience at the Academy Awards, 99% have no stake in what’s going on,” Clinkenbeard said. “They’re there, because that’s the place to be in Hollywood. We want to bring the same feel to (the awards ceremony) in Springfield.”

The success of SATO 48 reaches beyond what’s on film — it’s advancing careers. According to Clinkenbeard, former SATO competitor Shawn Matthews “can’t do (the event this year) because he got ‘real work.” Clinkenbeard said Matthews sold an original reality TV show to a major network with details coming soon.

Clinkenbeard said there wasn’t a favorite in the crop, because it all depends on how the inspiration package resonates with each crew. “Every year is different, teams can be different,” Clinkenbeard said. “Last year, a film that took home three or four major awards was a SATO 48 newcomers.”

Check out some 2010 SATO 48 Entries