SPOTLIGHT ON: Crazy 8s
On the scale of “crazy things people do,” this one’s gotta be high up the list.
By “crazy,” we mean the kind of crazy that makes you think making a movie in eight days is a good idea. For the record, we think this is a great kind of crazy.
WHAT IS IT?
Crazy 8s is an annual competition, in which teams vie for one of six winning spots through preliminary video and in-person pitches. The six winning teams get $1,000 cash and a package of in-kind assistance from film industry sponsors to go out and hit the streets to film their shorts and deliver a finished product eight days later.
WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?
This year’s winners hit the streets for three days of filming on Friday, Feb. 12, followed by five days of post-production. The finished films are due to be delivered on Friday, Feb. 19 by 6 p.m.
WHAT’S IN IT FROM BURNABY?
One of the winning films this year was I Love You So Much It’s Killing Them, a black comedy about a lonely serial killer named Vivian (Alex Duncan).
Writer-director Joel Ashton McCarthy hails from North Burnaby, as do producers Keli Moore and Nach Dudsdeemaytha and cinematographer Tony Mirza.
Two restaurants in the Heights – Jane’s and Cotto - were both food sponsors, and the third producer, Marena Dix, works out of the Burnaby location of Gloo Studios (also a sponsor of the film). Plus, the City of Burnaby’s film office rep, Susan Rae, lent a hand for the project.
WHEN CAN I SEE THE FILM?
The film will be screened, along with the other five winners, in a gala on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Centre (777 Homer St., Vancouver), with an after-party at Science World. Check out crazy8sgala2016.brownpapertickets.com for details and tickets.
CAN I DO THIS TOO?
Want to try this out for yourself? Crazy 8s is an annual contest. Check out www.crazy8s.film for more on how to get involved.
