What a (168) Film Fest

Dear 168,

Here are some tidbits from the film fest.

Pics: One very-surprised-to-get-an-award Derrick Warfel, Kristin McCoy signs for the Deaf, On the Red Carpet, One tired crew at the After Party (tiny pic)

The last of us were still at the Outback Steakhouse After Party until 3:00 AM and then I was changing a flat tire for a friend for another 45 min. still in the tux.

Kudos to Paul Luebbers, Karen Wescott, Lisa Miosi, Jeanette Shelton, Ron Pearson, Melissa Disney, the presenters and all the volunteers for making the show such a great success.

Friday: Awesome day at the Hope Theater. All the films were spectacularly displayed by the Roland Presenter and the EIKI, 12,000 lumen projector. We had no tech problems until...

During the Kyrgyzstanian film (Team 63, "Mystery"), the power blew. It was interesting, because the outage was not just the circuit breaker and not just the entire building. It was the whole block and maybe the whole city of San Fernando.

The scene on the screen was a father yelling at his son for reading the Bible, saying "If you keep reading that book, you're not my son!" And then BOOM out went the lights, projector and everything else in San Fernando.

I did a few minutes of my stand up comedy routine as we waited and confirmed that the neighbors were down too. In 15 minutes, we were back up and the night continued without a hitch. Very curious... (Yes, Kyrg team, we did re start your film!)

Saturday was awesome! The winners are below. Newsflash: I have been nominated for Best Actor (Behind the Scenes). Here's the story.

The "169 Award" is a special award for those who go above and beyond the call of duty for 168 (much like an amplifyer that goes one louder to 11).

This year, the recipient is Derrick Warfel. He has been such a blessing. He authored the 200+ page "film school in a book" Producer's Manual and he teaches the producer's workshop and leads the StoryLab, where we examine similar scenes from 168 films and from Hollywood Films and see what it takes to get to the next level.

Derrick also taught the prisoners' workshop for our 6 week "Write of Passage Screenplay Competition-Prison Edition." He has degrees from Dallas Theological, Princeton and USC Film School, so you know he's a smart guy.

But, on Saturday we had a logistics problem. How to get Derrick from helping us backstage into the audience so he would be surprised when he got his award.

So, I came up with the "high concept." I told exec. director, Paul Luebbers to go stand by Derrick and have two "seat fillers" standing by conveniently.

Then I prepared mentally and ran up to Paul and Derrick, slightly shouting so Derrick could hear and feel my angst.

"The camera shot looks TERRIBLE," I said, "We need SEAT FILLERS NOW. Derrick can you go out there and sit, please. Get someone else GO! Hurry! (for emphasis).

It worked and he was stunned when he got up there to receive the award. Punk'd, but appreciative, Derrick is one of a kind!

Congrats to all the filmmakers!!!!

Peace,

John

168 Film Festival Winners for 2010

Best Scriptural Integration: (how well the foundational Bible verse is integrated into the story)

THROUGH MY SISTER’S EYES: Keith Wilcox, Aaron John Tao, Team 42, Newport Beach, CA

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Best Film: THE PARTY: Helen Urriola, Team 64, Decatur, GA

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Best Comedy: TRY HARD: Nick Ganas, David Gaw, Trip Gould, David Martinez, Team 83, Monrovia, CA

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Best Director: THE PARTY: Jim McKinney, Team 64, Decatur, GA

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Best Actress: THE PARTY: Maggie Jones, Team 64, Decatur, GA

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Best Actor: THE PARTY: Jeff Rose, Team 64, Decatur, GA

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Best Supporting Actor: MOYA: Joshua M. Bott, Team 57, Monica, CA

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Best Supporting Actress: THE PARTY: Carrie Walrond, Team 64, Decatur, GA

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Best Screenplay – Drama: THE PARTY: Scott Ippolito, Team 64, Decatur, GA

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Best Screenplay – Comedy: TRY HARD: David Gaw, Nick Ganas, Team 83, Monrovia, CA

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Best Cinematography: JUST COPS: Drew Maw, Team 18, Anaheim, CA

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Best Editor: JUST COPS: Theo Love, Team 18, Anaheim, CA

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Best Sound Design: JUST COPS: Theo Love, Team 18, Anaheim, CA

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Best Original Score: GOT A LIGHT: Joey Williams, Team 9, Plano, TX

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Best Production Design: JUST COPS: Theo Love, Team 18, Anaheim, CA

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Best Makeup: JUST COPS: Carol Ochoa, Beatrice Najera, Team 18, Anaheim, CA

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Newcomer Award: OUT OF THE FIRE: Jeanette Reedy Solano, Lorenzo D. Durand Team 35, Glendale, CA

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Evangelista Award: (Best gospel of Jesus Presentation):

RELENTLESS HEART: Alberto Portillo, Team 58, Whittier, CA

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Best Behind The Scenes Documentary: CONNECTIVITY, Pete Brown, Team 62, Los Angeles, CA

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Best International Film: PESAN TERKIRIM (Message Sent): Onggo Susilo, Team 46, Indonesia

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Best Unlimited Documentary: (where the producer picks their verse, vs. a randomly assigned verse)

DESERT ARK: Sarah Williams, Greg Williams, Team 31, Jerusalem, Israel

Audience Awards: TRY HARD: Nick Ganas, David Gaw, Trip Gould, David Martinez, Monrovia, CA;

BACK David Rhee, Team 6, Burbank CA