Filmmakers 'flex their creative muscle'

The annual Fischgaard Short Film Project kicked off with more than 200 people in the audience eagerly anticipating 14 short films from amateur and professional filmmakers alike.

 In its eight year, the competition began as a way to push filmmakers in the area to start and finish film projects without procrastinating, said Tom Black, co-producer of the project.

 "It was to encourage amateur and prof filmmakers in the area to flex their creative muscle and to end the procrastination to independent filmmaking," he said. "Artists tend to procrastinate the beginning and end of a film project."

 This year's competition drew 16 filmmaking teams from all walks of life, ranging from an attorney's assistant to an information technology worker to a senior at Webster High School.

 The teams were given a checklist of mandatory things to include in their films, including a obelisk as a prop, a mandatory line of dialogue ("It's the end of the world as we know it"), a character named Robin Carmichael and a storyline that includes a pre- or post-apocalyptic world. Other than that, the teams were free to choose a genre and write their script.

 Annie Gruba, 17, the high school senior and member of BAN Productions, said the film she worked on was a drama.

 "We took on a lot more because we were more prepared," said Gruba, who was competing in her second year. She said this year, she knew what to expect from the competition because of her experience and was pleased with her film.

 "When I saw the finished product, It was consistent with what I envisioned it," she said.

 While 16 teams were in the competition, only 14 were able to turn in their films on time to be screened for competition. They were:

"So You've Survived the Apocalypse" from Flippin Bird Productions

"Lives Touched with Wonder" from Gink Productions

"Apocalypse Ever After" from IvoryQuill

"StarShine" from Bottle Smash Productions

"Savior to Us All" from Hoesing Films

"Robin Carmichaels Obelisk" from Train Yard One Takes

"Johnny Von Angel: The Obelisk Code" from The Fallout

"The Way" from Ruf Cut Films

"The Party" from thingevski pics

"Hope" from BAN Productions

"The Last Prophets" from Mountain High Production