If you like making your own films or watching others, the appropriate FresYes thing to do would be to go to The Germ Viewing Party. This local film festival, happening Thursday, October 16 at 7 p.m. at Windsong Productions, is your chance see some amazing (or just crazy) short films by local professional and amateur filmmakers. And, it’s FREE to attend.
The Germ was created by Windsong Productions to motivate area filmmakers to regularly write and produce short films by giving them a “germ” of an idea to use as a starting point. Previous Germ inspirations have included the word “space,” the song “ Tables and Chairs” by Andrew Bird, and the photo “Near Greenwood Mississippi” by William Eggleston.
Their hope is that with each Germ, more and more filmmakers of all skill levels and styles will get involved, helping to grow and connect the Valley’s creative community.
For The Germ 10, filmmakers are taking inspiration for any of the previous Germs. A complete list of the nine previous inspirations can be found at www.thegerm.org. The rule is that all films must be 5 minutes or less.
Personally, I cannot shoot or edit video. I’ve produced and directed, but get me behind a camera or in an editing bay, and I am lost without a professional around. However, when I learned that for The Germ 3, the inspiration was “Summer” and the limiter was to shoot with a smart phone, I thought, “this is just for me!” So I went to my cousin’s fifth birthday party, on a nice, 110-degree day. I had it all planned out to capture her cuteness. And then my phone overheated. I was able to get small clips here and there in between cooling off my phone. It was stressful, but I pushed through.
I got to my home computer and decided to use iMovie. I’d seen lots of everyday people using it to make decent videos, so I figured it’d be the easiest way to edit my Germ. Three hours later, my 37-second video was complete, haha! Here it is:
The coolest part about the experience was that I got so much support for from the audience, including Byron Watkins, creative director of Windsong Productions and
co-creator of The Germ. Fortunately, there are some extremely talented people creating short films in our area, so I would highly encourage you to go to this one, then make your own Germ for the next one!
Event Details
What: The Germ 10
When: Thursday, October 16, 7 p.m.
Where: Windsong Productions, 7676 N. Palm Ave., Suite 104 in Fresno
A no-host bar and the Zamore’ pizza truck will be on site to provide food and refreshments. For more information, and to view previous Germs, visit www.thegerm.org.
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