WHY I LOVE THE SCRAMBLE

For local filmmakers this event has really stirred the creative juices. Nothing like a little friendly competition to push the envelope. When organizing a team a filmmaker learns a great deal about the nuts and bolts of filmmaking - where are we going to shoot, when are we going to shoot what, what in the heck are we shooting, what MIGHT we be shooting, who are we shooting, who's running sound, what camera are we gonna use, what are we going to eat, will we sleep and when, who's gonna edit this thing, what are they going to edit it on, when will they do that, where will they do that, what lights are we going to use, how many cars do we need, music anyone?, where are we going to come up with costumes, what kinds of tool are we going to need to build that thing...etc..

There's a bunch of stuff I left out but you get the idea. In answering all of these questions relationships are introduced, formed, strengthened and tested. And if there is one key to good filmmaking, and anything for that matter in life, it is good relationships. These relationships happen between the filmmakers, families, business owners and the people on the streets sometimes. I think I'm going to cry....maybe later.

So filmmakers get a chance to work together under certain conditions. Over time teams have mixed company and begun to build upon each others' tactics and strategies. All of this helps to maintain, perpetuate and improve the skills that Birmingham filmmakers have. These skills stay with the filmmakers as they do other non SCRAMBLE projects. Also, all those relationships travel with the filmmakers as well from project to project building and sometimes breaking on themselves.

Not to mention for the general public this event is a nice departure from the norm. To see a gaggle of folks with a camera and a crazed look in their eyes frantically pulling together some sort of diabolical scene on the city streets is...well...refreshing in my opinion. It also turns into an interesting screening event with awards that public seems to enjoy.
The filmmakers can get feedback on there work after the screening.

And, most tangibly, after 1 event Alabama claims sovereignty over a large collection of new short movies. I think the last SCRAMBLE event produced around 40 new shorts.