48 Hour Film

We've moved!

2009-11-11T11:07:00.001-06:00

Hey guys, we've moved our base of operations to SBJ Films. Here, you'll find all the new happenings of team SBJ and their cohorts!

Give it a shot and let us know what you think!

The story of Eternal Peace - PreProduction: Part 1

2009-10-22T23:38:00.008-05:00

While you probably wouldn't know it from reading the blog, we've actually been hard at work for several months on SBJ Films' latest project, Eternal Peace. It's the story of a how far an abused mother would be willing to go in order to protect her daughter.

Eternal Peace
Written and Directed by Jason Clemons
Based upon an original story by Caroline Parker and Robyn Drake
Produced by Michael Darling
But the real work was done by the SBJ Crew, too numerous to count right now.

This project came about from a proposal that Caroline and Robyn submitted to SWAMP's Emerging Filmmakers Fellowship Program. We found out that their project was selected just before we began production on what would become Betman.

The requirements were pretty simple: They give us money, we give them a film that runs less than 10 minutes (this will be an important thing to remember later in the story), and deals with the topic of "Violence against Women". (The other topic that Caroline could have chosen was "Modern Day Slavery", but alas...). The films would have a Houston premiere on the big screen, then go on to possible play on "The Territory" on PBS, and maybe some festival play.

Once chosen, Caroline was flown to Mexico City to meet with the fellows and mentors from Mexico and Texas. She pitched her proposal and received feedback. Then began the long haul of pre-production:

THE SCREENPLAY

I'm not a writer by any kind of divine calling, but more out of necessity. I do it because it's a means to an end. I honestly admire the real writers who look forward to sitting down and crafting a story. So, with that said, I began the longer than needed task of crafting the story.

Caroline and I had talked through most of the plot. I knew what beats we wanted to hit, and where. I basically used the percentages that you can find in books like Blake Snyder's Save the Cat, or from workshops like Tom Vaughan's Story and Plot (both are excellent).

So the important thing is the rule of thumb for screenplays: 1 pg = 1 minute of screen time. Got it? Okay, let's move on.

So for our 10 minute film, I wrote an 18 page screenplay.

Yeah, and ya see, anytime someone asked about the screenplay being too long, I would always tell them that I planned on turning in a 10 minute cut to SWAMP, and we would still have the full movie that we could submit to festivals. That would quietly shut 'em up about it. I had a plan.

But if they had specifically asked me just WHAT I planned on cutting from the SWAMP cut, I would have literally had to tell them to shut up. Because, in truth, I had no plan as to what exactly I would cut. No idea.

Therein lies the rub...

(To be continued...)

Rushin'

2009-09-29T15:01:00.002-05:00

Rushin' has been selected as a Official selection of the 7th Annual Queens International Film Festival. Queens International Film Festival

Love Struck-Official Selection of the 2009 Milwaukee Film Festival

2009-07-09T17:04:00.001-05:00

Great news! We just heard that we'll screen at the Milwaukee Film Fest. Who wants to go with us?

Congrats to Team SBJ!!

2009-07-01T15:45:00.002-05:00

This past Sunday, Team SBJ walked away with 5 awards from the "Houston 48 Hour Film Project's Best of 2009":

Audience Favorite
Best Special Effects
Best Editing
Best Acting
Best Director

We're continually pleased with our team's growth and the acceptance we've received from our peers over the years! Great job!

Link
Photo by Matt Griesmyer for the South Belt-Elington Leader

SBJ at the 2009 48 Hour Film Award Ceremony!

2009-07-01T09:56:00.006-05:00

Congratulations to SBJ cast and crew!!

2009-06-25T21:31:00.004-05:00

SBJ's 2009 48 Hour Film entry, "BetMan" makes the inaugural Best of Houston DVD. This is the first year that Houston will have it's own "Best of" DVD and this is quite an honor.

Also, "BetMan" is one of 13 film to be shown this Sunday and will be awarded an Audience Award as well as being eligible for several awards, including Best Director, Best Acting, Best writing, and Best Film.

So congratulations to all the cast and crew of "BetMan", your passion, determination, and overall dedication is what makes this film truly an incredible enjoyable experience.

BetMan 2009 Houston 48 Hour Film

2009-06-22T19:55:00.004-05:00

48 Hour Film Awards/Screening Update

2009-06-22T14:42:00.003-05:00

Hello Fearless Team!!

Just wanted to drop you a quick reminder that the Best of Houston 2009 Screening and Awards Presentation is only a week away.

Tickets for the screening are $10.

The Best Of/Awards event will take place on Sunday, June 28 at the TBH Center (333 S Jensen 77003) which is just around the corner from the original Ninfas Restaurant.

The doors will open at 5:30pm and the screening will begin at 6:00. After the screening will be a brief break followed by the presentation of awards.

TBH Center: http://www.tbhcenter.org

We know that we have tied for the Audience Award, so all of SBJ need's to represent to accept this!

You deserve it!

Irony Coast and SBJ on "Happy Father's Day"

2009-06-22T14:31:00.002-05:00

A huge thanks to Andy for taking photos!

2009-06-22T14:29:00.000-05:00

2009-06-22T14:25:00.001-05:00

2009-06-22T14:22:00.000-05:00

More Irony Coast and SBJ wurkin' photos

2009-06-22T14:13:00.002-05:00

the ending shot

2009-06-21T00:32:00.002-05:00

steadi-camin'

2009-06-21T00:26:00.001-05:00

Irony Coast wurkin'

2009-06-21T00:20:00.001-05:00

SBJ and Irony Coasty wurkin'

2009-06-21T00:15:00.001-05:00

Irony Coast Productions, a great group of people!

2009-06-21T00:09:00.001-05:00

Lazy Michael.

2009-06-20T15:11:00.001-05:00

Eatin' lunch. If this was my set, his ass would be workin'!

More pics from today's shoot!!

2009-06-20T14:48:00.000-05:00

On the set of Irony Coast's "Father's Day"

2009-06-20T13:03:00.000-05:00

SBJ mentioned in Houston Chronicle article

2009-06-17T13:51:00.002-05:00

Oops, we forgot to mention...

On the Friday of this past 48 Hour Film Project, Producer Michael Darling was interviewed by Allan Turner of the Houston Chronicle. Mr. Turner was writing a story on the 48 Hour Film Project. You can check out the article here.

J

SBJ Wins Audience Award 2 years running!!

2009-06-16T16:07:00.003-05:00

Congratulations once again to team Sweet Baby Jesus Productions for winning the Audience Award two years running! You guys ROCK!!

We will be receiving the official certificate at the TBH Center on June 28th. For more info, and the full list of winners, visit http://www.48hourfilm.com/houston

"BetMan" Our 2009 Houston 48 Hour Film entry

2009-06-12T20:53:00.003-05:00

Click here to watch in HD!

Thanks to 2009's sponsors

2009-06-12T14:47:00.003-05:00

We'd like to thank our 2009 sponsors for help making our 48 Hour Film entry "BetMan", such a success. Whether it was a donation of food, money or a location, it all helped us achieve our goal of turning in a film that we could be proud of.

Spot a stray

The Chronic Pain Institute

Target

Luminess LP

Thank You!

Baglady outtake with Fiana Zolotaryov

2009-06-12T12:58:00.003-05:00

Clinic outtake with Juan and Todd

2009-06-12T12:00:00.004-05:00

An outtake showing how Juan goes from laughing at jokes to straight into his dialogue.
Both Juan and Todd's acting was truly phenomenal.
Hat's off to you guys!

Behind the scenes of the spring shoe landing

2009-06-12T11:17:00.003-05:00

How Todd jumped over Beny's truck

2009-06-12T10:02:00.003-05:00

Behind the scenes of throwing the spring shoe

2009-06-12T01:02:00.003-05:00

2:30 minutes of us trying to find the right arch
with just the right height. Eventually ended up
on the cutting room floor.

Spring shoes in action!

2009-06-12T00:56:00.002-05:00

Danielle dropping her towel

2009-06-12T00:40:00.001-05:00

outtake of Todd walking out for his final jump

2009-06-11T11:45:00.003-05:00

Do Not Try This At Home!

2009-06-11T11:21:00.002-05:00

making a man fly

2009-06-11T11:16:00.001-05:00

Just got back from the screenings

2009-06-11T00:41:00.003-05:00

We had a great World Premiere of BetMan tonight! There were a lot of fantastic films. The Houston film community certainly has something to be proud of. We'll post pics soon.

G'night!

J

2009-06-10T16:21:00.002-05:00

in the writing room

2009-06-10T15:53:00.001-05:00

Gotta eat!

2009-06-10T15:47:00.001-05:00

Gotta eat!

2009-06-10T15:32:00.001-05:00

Friday night/Saturday morning pitching stories and ideas

2009-06-10T15:23:00.000-05:00

Friday night/Saturday morning pitching stories and ideas

2009-06-10T15:08:00.001-05:00

2009-06-10T15:05:00.000-05:00

behind the scenes

2009-06-10T14:49:00.003-05:00

Still #2

2009-06-10T13:46:00.002-05:00

a still from "BetMan"

2009-06-09T21:48:00.001-05:00

Challenge!

2009-06-08T23:39:00.001-05:00

48 hr Aftermath

2009-06-08T09:33:00.000-05:00

Fleshtastic!

2009-06-07T22:10:00.000-05:00

God Damn These Guys like Meat!

2009-06-07T22:00:00.000-05:00

You don't say .....

2009-06-07T21:39:00.000-05:00

Tim!

2009-06-07T21:21:00.001-05:00

Tim is leaving soon. Some say, "not soon enough"!

Happy Jason at the dropoff!

2009-06-07T19:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Michael!

2009-06-07T19:12:00.001-05:00

Turned in 34 minutes early with 2 backup copies. We ROCK!

2009-06-07T18:12:00.001-05:00

Looking good, rendering

2009-06-07T17:40:00.000-05:00

Cast and crew

2009-06-07T09:14:00.001-05:00

Cast and crew

2009-06-07T09:08:00.000-05:00

cast and crew

2009-06-07T09:04:00.000-05:00

Cast and crew

2009-06-07T09:01:00.000-05:00

2009-06-07T08:58:00.000-05:00

Safety First!

2009-06-07T08:56:00.000-05:00

Get me down!!!

2009-06-07T08:17:00.001-05:00

Lots of extras!!!

2009-06-07T08:13:00.002-05:00

Burning the midnight oil again!

2009-06-07T05:39:00.003-05:00

Well, it looks like it'll be another sleepless night at SBJ HQ. It's all coming together and it's looking good so far. We'll be looking at a rough cut soon.

Jacob all holding his staff again

2009-06-06T20:02:00.001-05:00

Dr. Juan!

2009-06-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah!

2009-06-06T17:54:00.000-05:00

This year SBJ means business!

2009-06-06T17:20:00.000-05:00

Big scene

2009-06-06T15:24:00.000-05:00

Who came up with this!?!?

2009-06-06T14:48:00.001-05:00

Script girl

2009-06-06T13:55:00.000-05:00

More kids

2009-06-06T13:22:00.001-05:00

Neighbor kids!

2009-06-06T13:21:00.001-05:00

Hot

2009-06-06T12:44:00.000-05:00

Our new store is open!

2009-06-06T11:02:00.000-05:00

Whoa

2009-06-06T10:36:00.001-05:00

Ugh, more paperwork!

2009-06-06T00:33:00.000-05:00

We've got a superhero!

2009-06-06T00:03:00.000-05:00

More Hero's Anthem

2009-06-05T23:54:00.000-05:00

Composer at work!

2009-06-05T23:53:00.000-05:00

Lots of thinking going on!

2009-06-05T23:00:00.000-05:00

It's a meat-a-celebration

2009-06-05T22:51:00.001-05:00

Refine Refine Refine

2009-06-05T22:26:00.001-05:00

Not sure about that pitch Jason!

2009-06-05T20:46:00.001-05:00

Jason's pitch

2009-06-05T20:41:00.000-05:00

Caroline's pitch

2009-06-05T20:37:00.000-05:00

Listening to Tim's pitch

2009-06-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

Tim's Pitch

2009-06-05T20:34:00.000-05:00

Theo's pitch

2009-06-05T20:29:00.001-05:00

Juan's pitch

2009-06-05T20:23:00.000-05:00

Groups are pitching now

2009-06-05T20:22:00.000-05:00

Caroline gettin' us fired up

2009-06-05T20:15:00.000-05:00

Ok, we're about to start hearing pitches.

2009-06-05T20:11:00.001-05:00

I know, I know. "Pitches? We don't need any stinking pitches." I beat you to it. So there.

J

Another group

2009-06-05T20:06:00.000-05:00

Another group

2009-06-05T19:59:00.000-05:00

What do you think of this shit

2009-06-05T19:45:00.001-05:00

Best Quote so far...

2009-06-05T19:43:00.000-05:00

Let's show some guy doing a bunch of super hero shit!

2nd pitch

2009-06-05T19:24:00.000-05:00