We’re just two weeks away from the final deadline for Firefox Flicks 2013. Please join us in congratulating the last round of Early Entry Award winners.
Tortillas on-the-go!
https://firefoxflicks.mozilla.org/en-US/video/2013/377/
Mexico
Alberto García Ballesteros is a 22-year-old political science student living in Mexico. He balances his time between his studies and his passion for filmmaking. One aspect of filmmaking that he finds most challenging is getting a cast and crew organized. His solution to this is pretty creative.
“I’m always exploring new ways of combining filmmaking and art in general with social activities as a means for social change and understanding,” Ballesteros says. His current project involves connecting Mexican communities and central American migrants to help tell their story through film.
For his production of Tortillas on-the-go! for Firefox Flicks, convincing his friends and neighbours to help was a bit of a struggle. In the end, however, editing proved to be Ballesteros’ biggest challenge.
“The really tough part I think came during postproduction where I realized that my film was almost two minutes!” he explains. “The idea of sharing a message in one minute is a challenge and a delight as well.”
His advice for people who are still working on their flicks is simple: “Never let the lack of equipment or professional crew stop you from creating, there’s always a lot of people out there willing to film and looking for other creative partners.”
Painting by Alberto García Ballesteros
Beyond the Limit
https://firefoxflicks.mozilla.org/en-US/video/2013/446/
Mexico
Fabián Ramírez wants to work for an animation or production studio one day. He currently works as a graphic designer, spending his free time learning about computer graphics, video games and movies — and enjoying pizza.
When he sat down to create Beyond the Limit for Firefox Flicks, he had several challenges to overcome. First, the Early Entry Award deadline was looming. Next, he had to teach himself about animation. Finally, once he had the sketches and story settled he had to find the right music to tie it all together.
“I spent a lot of time searching and I found the Creative Commons licensed Don’t Be Afraid; We’ll Be Together by The Orchid,” Ramírez says. “I was hooked immediately.”
Ramírez is a fan of Mozilla and Firefox. “I see Mozilla like rebels with a cause and I respect and admire that,” he adds. “The idea of being part of the Firefox community by contributing and participating with a video just encouraged me.”
While there is only a few weeks left to enter this year’s competition, Ramírez has an empowering message to share with prospective flick-makers: “If you have an idea and don’t know how to make it possible, do not settle for not knowing; there are plenty of people and sites willing to share their knowledge.”
Fabián Ramírez
The Anniversary
https://firefoxflicks.mozilla.org/en-US/video/2013/436/
Singapore
After viewing The Anniversary by Kevin Kristian, it’s no surprise to anyone that he is a social media strategist by day and full-time dreamer by night. Creating a touching story of a couple using apps and the Web on mobile devices to stay connected on a special day, Kristian feels that one’s own life is the best source of inspiration.
“I can hardly remember how life was like when my friends still gave me birthday calls, or when I had to plough through volumes of encyclopedias to find the answer for just one question in science homework,” Kristian says. “I think that having access to the Web through mobile has changed my life (and people around me) for the better.”
Using digital effects, original music and the skills of his crew — Surya, Joshua, Ramon, Rini, Wei Sheng, Jason, Ray Felix, Louis, Benson and Terry — Kristian was tireless about achieving his vision for his flick.
“Right from the start, I wasn’t about to let any technical limitations constrain the idea,” he says.
Finding shooting locations proved particularly hard at times for the production. “It was one day before shooting and we hadn’t yet locked in a place,” he says. “A resourceful friend of mine recommended a vinyl shop in one of the more hidden corners of Singapore. I immediately checked it out and it looked and just felt right for the scene.”
Luck was on the side of their team as the store owner not only graciously allowed them to shoot in the store on a day’s notice, but he also made a cameo appearance.
Surya Adhiwirawan (DP, editor, and VFX) and Kevin Kristian (Producer, scriptwriter)
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Congratulations to all the winning teams of these Early Entry Awards! The final deadline for all entries is July 31, 2013. Learn more at https://firefoxflicks.mozilla.org/en-US/#prizes.
