Fifty hours isn’t long to write, film and edit a movie, but that’s all the time Vancouver native Shay Smith and his collaborators had when they put together “A Flower for June.”
The approximately five-minute, mostly silent short film was their submission for the 50 Hour Slam film competition in Spokane, held in conjunction with the Inland Northwest Film Festival.
Smith, a 20-year-old 2009 Prairie High School graduate, is a student at Eastern Washington University and an intern at North by Northwest Productions, a Spokane-based film production company. He co-wrote and directed “A Flower for June,” which he describes as a love story. It’s about a breakup but ends on a hopeful note, Smith said.
There were three elements filmmakers were required to incorporate into their submissions: a Spokane sculpture, an assigned song and the line “Hey, don’t stick your finger in there.”
The film challenge began on the evening of April 1 and lasted for 50 hours.
Filmmakers didn’t get much sleep that weekend, Smith said. “It was insane.”
But seeing their finished product made all the effort worthwhile.
“It turned out really well. I love it,” Smith said.
“A Flower for June” was one of 15 finalists screened at the Magic Lantern Theatre in Spokane on May 1 and received an honorable mention award.
Beginning June 1 and continuing through the summer, people can go online to http://www.50hourslam.com to view the films and vote for their favorite. The online audience choice award will be announced in December.
Woodland artist unveils work inspired by mountains
Woodland artist Brian Ripp draws inspiration from his surroundings, so spending the past few months snowboarding has given him lots of fresh source material.
Ripp will share the art inspired by his time at the mountains during a solo show at Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters in Vancouver. Ripp, 32, will have between 10 and 12 new mixed-media pieces on display throughout the month of June.
An artists reception on the evening of June 3 will feature live music, and Ripp also will unveil new items from his clothing line, Divergent Clothing.
More information about the show is at http://www.brianrippart.com.
Like most of his art, Ripp’s new pieces feature bright colors and bold lines. However, some are more detailed and realistic than his previous work.
Ripp said he excited to share his creations with the community.
“I’m looking forward to showing what I’ve been thinking about over the past few months,” he said.
Bits ’n’ Pieces appears Mondays and Fridays. If you have a story you’d like to share, call Courtney Sherwood 360-735-4561, or e-mail features@columbian.com.
