Seattlest Interview: Dom Zook of GadZook Films
If you see several weary-looking film crews around town this weekend, you're probably noticing some of the participants in the Seattle version of the 48 Hour Film Project. On the eve of the big event, Seattlest talked with Dom Zook, a producer for one of the local teams. Dom's team won the Best in City prize two years ago for "Hook Her" (pictured above); this is his third team participating.
So, what's involved in the 48-hour challenge?
The goal is to write, shoot, edit and otherwise produce a short film in 48 hours or less. Beyond lining up a crew, equipment and possibly a cast and locations, you are forbidden from preparing in any other way. Pre-planning is next to impossible anyway because you don't know what genre you're preparing for until the project begins. Teams choose a genre out of a hat and are given three story elements - a character, a line of dialogue and a prop - with which to write their script. All the elements must exist in the final movie and it must be turned in on time to be considered for any awards. We're competing against 40 other teams this year, which is amazing considering last year we barely broke 20.
And what's the scoop on GadZook Films? Who are you guys?
GadZook Films was formed by me several years ago because I wanted to make movies with my friends. It has since evolved into a small production studio cranking out short films while we prepare to jump into feature filmmaking. Our most popular short, "Snow Day, Bloody Snow Day," has gone on to play over 25 film festivals and has won several awards. We're also working on helping the Seattle film infrastructure get a solid foothold and several upcoming projects will directly address that.
This is your third year participating. How did you get involved in the first place?
In 2004 I helped out on a shoot for the 72-Hour Film Project, an offshoot of the 48HFP. I had so much fun doing it I asked my friends if they wanted to take part in the 48HFP. Voila!
And why do you keep doing it?
Making a movie is hard enough, but perhaps even more strenuous is FINISHING a movie. This contest creates an incredible incentive to make a good film and finish it, without the cumbersome strain of a serious budget or the lazy luxury of years to finish it. You have 48 hours and that's it. It's exciting, stressful, challenging and ultimately rewarding. Some years I may not make anything but a 48 Hour film. I know it's only a weekend out of my life and I'm done with it.
What have you learned from your last two 48-hour challenges that you're going to apply this time?
Smaller is always better. Small crew, small cast. The less you have to worry about people finding parking, coordinating food for large casts, etc. the faster the show can work. Food is an excellent motivator. Sleep as much as possible, and whenever possible. Sleep deprivation makes people cranky and makes you forget things and neither is good on a film set.
What's your overall game plan for this weekend?
My director (Brian Barnett) and I will gather the production elements at an all-team meeting Friday night. We'll then call the rest of the team so they can begin brainstorming a script. Our writer (Faye Hoerauf) will take the brainstorming notes and write a fantastic script taking most of the rest of Friday. Saturday we'll wake up bright and early and shoot till we're done. Then it's off to editing. Sunday we'll clean up the audio, add music, and burn a DVD. It's almost become old hat now.
The first year you participated, you won, and you directed. This year you're producing. Why the change?
Well, I produced that first year as well and the two jobs combined was too much to handle. While I'm happy it helped bring us a win, I much prefer tackling one job well. Plus Brian is a great director, in fact he was the cinematographer on that winning short, so we work well together.
What exactly does a producer do during a short burst of activity like this? How is it different from producing a regular film?
It's actually a lot like producing a regular film, just compressed to about a week instead of several months. I set up all our equipment rental packages, acquire cast and crew, collect location possibilities, fill out paperwork, buy food, and the list goes on.
Any genres you especially fear -- or crave?
Musical was the hardest genre I've ever had to do. I helped out a team last year that got stuck with musical and I think we did a remarkable job pulling it together. It's amazing if you can do it, but the work involved is heart-attack inducing. Being that we've made a few zombie movies I'm at least a little excited to tackle horror.
Finally, why should your competitors tremble at the mention of your name?
We have a trophy proving we know what we're doing.
Want to see what Dom's team comes up with? It'll screen at the Harvard Exit on July 17 at 9pm, along with some of the competing films.
