Quicklips Team Wins Best Film Prize in the 9th Annual Chicago 48-Hour Film Project

Walking away with the Best Film Prize in the 9th Annual Chicago 48-Hour Film Project goes to Quicklips Productions for their short film, "Gazillion Dollar Sausage." Quicklips, an independent film company consists of four of Zacuto’s own production team members: Joe DeJulius, Patrick Fee, Scott Lynch and Matt Kelley. Rounding out the cast are actors Neil Arsenty, Tim Heurlin, Laura Smith, and Joe Avella. Competing against a field of 45 filmmaking teams with a very strict 48-hour guideline and a randomly assigned film category of Silent Film, the quicklips crew didn’t waste any time in their quest to win. {Photo below: Behind the scenes production with Scott Lynch, Patrick Fee and Joe Dejulius.}

"We signed up to do the 48-hour Film Fest with one thing in mind," says Director Joe Dejulius, who also acted in the film, "to make the best damn film ever." In preparation for their genre, the Quicklips crew immersed themselves in Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin films overnight and writer Matt Kelley, introduced the idea of making a short about an orphanage being forced to shut down. "After that," says Matt, "the ideas started to fly and we were in writing mode. We are the best at making things up off the top of our heads."

Zacuto’s Matt Kelly and graphic designer Joe Avella

With a rigorous shooting and editing schedule, the crew began shooting exterior shots at 11am and completed day-time shots by 4pm: just in time for a ritual event, "One of the most important things on a Quicklips shoot is pizza," says Director Joe Dejulius. The following day, the team finished editing by 4:30 pm and made the strictly enforced 48-hour deadline drop-off. "With great planning, stunning talent, and some easy going movie making attitudes," says Joe Dejulius and Patrick Fee, "Quicklips produces another kick ass award winning film.

What’s next for these featured filmmakers and Quicklips Productions, "Gazillion Dollar Sausage" will screen at the International Filmapalooza Festival at NAB 20110 and be considered for additional prizes through the 2009 Panavision HD Filmmaker Showdown. For more information on Quicklips Productions, visit www.Quicklips.tv.