Calling all aspiring Martins, Stephens, Quentins, and M. Nights (and Michaels, as in Michael Lembeck, director of The Clique movie, one of my personal favorites… if you’re into that sort of thing). Campus MovieFest (CMF) is returning to Berkeley as a part of its 12^th annual world tour, and with it comes the opportunity for aspiring Cal filmmakers to win prizes, cash and unending glory. Over 75,000 young people participated last year, and those who advanced in the competition were able to gain experience and exposure from top industry professionals.

 

Contestants could have begun the production of their five minute films this Wednesday, September 5th, using the filmmaking tools supplied by CMF organizers. Submissions are due Sept. 11th. The final contestants, that will advance on to the CMF Hollywood stage, will be announced on September 28th, when the top films will be showcased at a red-carpet event at Wheeler auditorium.

 

Now, for all of you who are saying to yourselves, “Well, in addition to my dream of swimming across the English Channel, I’ve always wanted to create a short film that will be showcased in a campus-wide movie festival. But, my creative wells are dry! Where do I begin?” FEAR NOT! I just so happen to be an aqueduct of creativity, and I have compiled a short list of film ideas that are guaranteed to please the judges. Feel free to use liberally, I’m all tied up in suing ABC Family for intellectual property theft right now anyway.

 

1. Drama: My Heart Yearns for Ithaca

The story, condensed into a five-minute time span, of the barnacle attached to Ulysses’ ship. We see all the epic battles, trickery and aimless wandering that we know and love from Homer’s classic, but entirely from the groundbreaking viewpoint of the underside of a boat.

 

Sample dialogue: “Don’t worry, boss, I won’t tell the ol’ ball and chain what happened with Calypso! What happens on Ogygia stays on Ogygia!”

 

2. Comedy: The Tarent Prap

The story of the twin daughters of divorced parents who are separated at birth. Upon meeting by chance, the two (for some reason, I’m envisioning red-heads, but that’s up to you) decide to rekindle their parents’ love through handshakes, DIY ear piercings and all-around earnestness. What’s that? Sounds familiar? Don’t think so, this one definitely came to me in a dream.

Sample dialogue: “Morning Marvas… MARVAS?!”

 

3. Documentary: An Inconvenient Pile of Vomit

For an unexplored perspective on campus Greek life, go interview the cleaning professionals who clean the frats every week. Word on the street is they’re pushing for Frat Sludge

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