To Film on Deadline

Willard filmmaker Matt Darst soaked up Springfield for the SATO 48 film challenge.

Peek into some super-quick filmmaking, as Matt Darst directs his team’s SATO 48 submission. Darst, 25, works at Thermo King of Springfield but makes films when he’s not at his 9-to-5. At press time, he was feverishly creating “One Way Ticket,” for the third annual SATO 48 film challenge, during which teams had two days to write, cast, shoot and edit a five-minute short set in or around Springfield. Here’s his story, in script form.

FADE IN:
1. EXT. GLENSTONE AVE. AND GRAND ST. — SPRINGFIELD, MO
SUPERIMPOSE:
Saturday, April 19 10 a.m.
Springfield
Hour 14 of the SATO 48 film festival

High crane shot drops from establishing position above the intersection to focus past the Blockbuster to Classified Fashions, LLC. Camera pushes in on the front of the shop. Inside, a film crew can be seen setting up. A poster for The Odd Couple, last week’s show at the Skinny Improv, still hangs on the door as reporter SANDY CLARK opens it and enters.
(CUT TO)
2. INT. CLASSIFIED FASHIONS, LLC
We pan across 20-something filmmakers as they tend to the tripods, mics, lights and a small filmmaker’s crane, transforming the shop into a set. Filmmaker MATT DARST supervises the activity as SANDY CLARK approaches.

SANDY CLARK

What are you shooting with today?

 

MATT DARST

 

We are using a Panasonic DVX 100, and we have a 35mm adapter on it, so we can use 35 mm lenses to kind of give it that depth of field.

(CUT TO)
3. INT. CLASSIFIED FASHIONS, LLC
Medium shot of MATT DARST, SANDY CLARK and Director of Photography DARRELL CLAUNCH. CLAUNCH attaches a camera to the crane as DARST and CLARK talk.

CLARK

So how long have you been fooling around with film?

DARST

I started copying other films in junior high and high school. I kinda got a little more serious when I went into college.

CLARK

So you are in hour 14 of the 48-hour film festival?

DARST

We started at 7:30 last night and wrote the script. We started shooting exteriors at the bank at 7:30 this morning.

CLARK

Okay. I’ll hang back and watch. You do your thing.

(CUT TO)
4. INT. CLASSIFIED FASHIONS, LLC
A high-speed montage shows us the progress as lights rise out of the clothing racks. Lavaliere mics are laid out and the soundman checks his gear. As we get closer to shooting, the action tightens around CLAUNCH and the crane. In high speed, DARST flits back and forth between the different loci of activity, circling tighter and tighter as things come together for the first shot.

(CUT TO)
5. INT. CLASSIFIED FASHIONS, LLC
Tight on SANDY CLARK and MATT DARST as the crew adds the finishing touches.

CLARK

So do you have an assigned theme and a prop to use?

DARST

Yeah, Liberty Bank sponsored it, so we have Liberty Bank stuff and the moneybags to work in there.

CLARK

How many films have you made?

DARST

I just completed production on my first feature, a zombie film called The Dead Shall Rise. I’ve done a lot of shorts. We’ll finish the zombie picture and show it this summer at the Moxie. I worked with all these people on that.

CLARK

So what is the film about today?

DARST

We had to incorporate a theme of redemption. Someone had to lose their riches and redeem their self. It can’t have any narration or voiceover of any kind.

CLARK

So what does it take to be part of the 48-hour film festival as a filmmaker?

DARST

Well, you’ve got to have gear that a lot of people might not have. Not just a camera, but everything for an entire shoot. There is lot of problem solving.

You have to identify the problems and solve them one-by-one all day. Like making sure your camera does not fall to the floor and end your shoot. That is not happening today.

DARST turns back to his crew. CLAUNCH hands him a reference monitor, not just to look at, but to hold up for CLAUNCH to see while he operates the crane. Actors take their positions at the front of the store.

(CUT TO)
6. INT. CLASSIFIED FASHIONS, LLC
Wide shot as the action begins.

CLAUNCH

Nathan, step two inches to the right. How does that look?

DARST

It looks good.

CLAUNCH

Okay, we’re rolling.

DARST

Okay, quiet. Okay action.

We pan right, past the actors as they begin their lines, out the front window and back up into our crane shot of the intersection. Cars zip down Grand and Glenstone as Springfieldians race off to their weekend amusements, oblivious to the little Hollywood scene unfolding in their midst.