After months of anticipation, the #Crazy8sFilms18 jury has selected the Top 6 projects out of a record 228 applications that will advance to production. Thank you again to everyone that applied!

First our video pitch jury, Bill Hurst, Karen Lam, Mathew Parry, Heath Affolter, Paul Armstrong, Stephanie Halber & Alicia Bernbaum selected the Top 42 to pitch in person out of the 228 applicants. Our in-person pitch jury, comprised of Amanda Tapping, Christine Haebler, Zach Lipovsky, Kaare Andrews, Sabrina Furminger and Lawrence Le Lam then narrowed this down to the Top 12 Semi-Finalists to advance to the script stage.

In mid-December they were paired with their story editors to hone their scripts. Many thanks to this year’s expert team of story editors: Ric Beairsto, Brian Casilio, Bill Hurst, Sara Graefe, Kat Montagu and Rudy Thauberger. The 12 Semi-Finalists then had until January 3 to get their final scripts in to the jury.

On Sunday our in-person pitch jury met to make their decisions. Again this year the scripts were all exceptional, and we want to congratulate all 12 Semi-Finalists for making it this far. But in the end there can only be 6 Finalists.

We are now pleased to introduce you to the 6 teams who will be making their short films in just 8 days starting on Feb 9 through Feb 16 through Crazy8s! Be sure to watch them at the Gala Screening February 24. Tickets go on sale early February!

In the meantime you can support the films getting made and the Gala screening by claiming great perks in our Crazy8s Annual Indiegogo Campaign.

Or by attending the 19th Anniversary Crazy8s DGC Fundraiser Screening at the RIO Theatre January 25 screening 8 classic Crazy8s films.

Here are the #Crazy8sFilms18 TOP 6 FILMS!

Bordered – Director & Writer Anaïsa Visser, Producers Darren Devlin & Marco Bososw

A US Border Patrol Officer apprehends two refugees fleeing the US into Canada and struggles against his duty and his haunted past.

CC – Director & Writer Kailey Spear & Sam Spear, Producer Natasha Wehn

After an AI nanny assaults her employer, an investigative team must determine what caused the attack.

Extra-Ordinary Amy – Director Christopher Graham, Writer Zlatina Pacheva, Producer Kris McRonney

In this fantastical tale, a young girl struggles with the loss of her parents in a freak accident but learns to embrace what she truly loves, dancing, and its chilling consequences.

Gemini – Director & Writer Mily Mumford, Producer Phil Planta & Mayumi Yoshida

In a very near future two VR gamers coincidentally meet in real life and through their interactions expose the dark side of virtual reality and gaming.

Shuttlecock – Director & Writer Melanie Jones, Story by Melanie Jones & Rhona Rees, Producer Kristyn Stilling, Associate Producer Amelia Morris

Washed-up badminton star Winnie will stop at nothing to reclaim her Olympic dreams by playing a match against her former rival while a video crew documents her desperate attempt to prove glory should have been hers.

Small Fish – Director & Writer Maxime Beauchamp, Producer Kent Donguines & Mackenzie Stannard

In a world where only the biggest fish in the sea survive, Laurie, an amateur painter, struggles with success as she finds herself becoming more and more like the tiny fish she puts to canvas.

Break a Leg to all the Teams!

The post Crazy8s 2018 Top 6 Finalists appeared first on Biz Books.

After much deliberation, here are the #Crazy8sFilms18 Top 12 who will advance to the script stage of the filmmaking competition.

Bob  – Director & Writer Graeme Achurch & Daniel Jeffery, Producer Geoff Manton

In a Twilight Zone-esque scenario, Bob awakes to discover his whole world is stuck operating backwards. But when the chronology of the film reverses, it’s revealed that Bob is the one who the world perceives as backwards

Bordered – Director & Writer Anaïsa Visser, Producers Darren Devlin & Marco Bossow

A US Border Patrol Officer apprehends two Syrian refugees fleeing the US into Canada and is forced to choose between his duty and his sense of compassion.

CC – Director & Writer Kailey Spear & Sam Spear, Producer Natasha Wehn

After an AI nanny attacks her employer, an investigative team must determine what caused the attack.

Defence – Director & Writer Hannah Drew, Producer Shiva Kashi

Alexa Wyatt is a good daughter, and an even better soccer player. But when her obligations to her family come into conflict with her duty to her team, and her best friend, Wyatt must decide where her loyalty and love truly lies.

Extra-Ordinary Amy – Director Christopher Graham, Writer Zlatina Pacheva, Producer Kris McRonney

A young girl who is unknowingly death incarnate must accept who she is in order to continue doing what she loves: dancing

Gemini – Director & Writer Mily Mumford, Producer Phil Planta

In a very near future two VR gamers coincidentally meet in real life and through their interactions expose the dark side of virtual reality and gaming.

How Did We Get Here? – Director & Writer Laura Adkin, Producers Lisa Durupt & Victoria Angell

In the wake of a young intern’s sexual assault and subsequent attempted suicide, the people around her must confront their own demons and realize the role that their inaction played in the tragedy.

Imperfect Harmony – Director Tricia Collins, Writer Jennifer Laporte

In a world where people turn into musical instruments instead of dying, a shy teenager discovers that she is turning into a cello, which might be her ticket to finally being accepted by her parents and peers.

The Jobs We Don’t Want – Director & Writer Larke Miller, Producer Justine Warrington

A reptilian shape-shifting alien, who’s lost everything after Pluto was stripped of planet status, winds up working on an organic walnut farm in Northern California.

My Blue Balloon – Director Trish Neufeld, Writer Steve Berry

In a palliative care unit with her mother, Sarah finds comfort in a shiny blue balloon floating on the ceiling. The balloon becomes a metaphor for healing when it unexpectedly comes back to Sarah in a different form.

Shuttlecock – Director & Writer Melanie Jones, Story by Melanie Jones & Rhona Rees

Washed-up badminton star Winnie will stop at nothing to reclaim her Olympic dreams by playing a match against her former rival while a video crew documents her desperate attempt to prove glory should have been hers.

Small Fish – Director & Writer Maxime Beauchamp, Producer Kent Donguines

In a world where only the biggest fish in the sea survive, Laurie, an amateur painter, struggles with success as she finds herself becoming more and more like the tiny fish she puts to canvas.

Congratulations again to all the Top 12! Top 6 Announced January 9, 2018.

The post Crazy8s 2018 Top 12 Announcement appeared first on Biz Books.

This year, Crazy8s hit a new record of 201 video pitches, and after reviewing them tirelessly over the past 2 weeks, the Pitch Jury unanimously decided to choose 42 film pitches to advance to the live-pitch stage!

The live pitches will be held November 25 & 26th, in front of a new jury of film and TV industry professionals. The Top 12 final pitches will then advance to the script stage, announced November 27th!

Here are the Crazy8s 2018 Top 42!

In alphabetical order by Film Title:

@Eloise – Director Jesse Boyko, Writers Jesse Boyko & Jenna Mae Diamante – SciFi

Black or Blue – Writer Murry Peeters – Drama

Bob – Directors Daniel Jeffery & Graeme Achurch, Writers Graeme Achurch & Daniel Jeffery, Producer Geoff Manton – SciFi / Comedy

Bordered – Director / Writer Anaïsa Visser – Drama

The Candy Bar War – Director / Writer David I. Strasser, Producer Jessica Randall and Graem Luis – Historical Drama

Cat in the Postman’s Bag – Director Kaio Kathriner, Writer Tom Malenica – Comedy

CC – Directors / Writers Kailey Spear & Sam Spear, Producer Natasha Wehn – SciFi / Drama

Cherry Blossoms in March – Director / Writer Riley Rheyan, Producer Thomas Emann – Art House / Drama

Cloaks and Daggers – Directors Kristina Hampton & Jordan Dueck, Writer Kristina Hampton, Producer Jonathan Chawla – Drama

The Companion – Director / Writer Michelle Brezinski – Comedy

Concrete – Director / Writer Milton Ng – Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Comedy

Dazzle Ships – Director Kristyn Stilling, Writer Jasmine Pullukatt & Kristyn Stilling, Producer Jasmine Pullukatt – Comedy

Defence – Director / Writer Hannah Drew – Drama

Extra-Ordinary Amy – Director Christopher Graham, Writer Zlatina Pacheva, Producer Kris McRonney – Dark Comedy / Horror

Film-Making The Musical – Director Ed Witzke, Writers Ed Witzke & Matt Ewart, Producer Ed Witzke & Matt Ewart – Musical

The Future of Me – Director Ray Raghavan, Writer Ray Raghavan, Producer Haydn Wazelle – SciFi / Drama

Gemini – Director / Writer Mily Mumford, Producer Phillip Planta – SciFi

Girl – Director Kathleen Mann, Writer Alison Brierley, Producer Alison Brierley, Producer Kathleen Mann – Drama

Girlship – Director Lucie Guest, Writer Lucie Guest, Producer Synnöve Godeseth – Comedy

The Hermit’s Couplet – Director Alex Miro, Writer Alex Miro, Producer Stefania Indelicato & Amanda Konkin – Comedy

Hero Singh – Director / Writer Jasleen Kaur – Comedy / Drama

How Did We Get Here? – Director / Writer Laura Adkin, Producers Lisa Durupt & Victoria Angell – Drama

Imperfect Harmony – Writer Jennifer Laporte – coming of age fantasy

The Jobs We Don’t Want – Director Larke Miller, Writer Larke Miller, Producer Justine Warrington – SciFi / RomCom

The Long Halloween – Director Akash Motwani, Writer Akash Motwani, Producer Satinder Dhillon – Drama

Long Way Down – Director/Writer Michael P. Vidler – Drama

My Blue Balloon – Director Trish Neufeld, Writer Steve Berry, Producers TBC – Drama

My Life with John Paul II – Director Ricardo Plaza, Writer Ricardo Plaza & Bobby Gorman, Producer Ryan Silva & Bobby Gorman – Comedy

Nut-Cracker – Director, Writer Jennifer Nicole Stang – Action / Comedy

OCD: Obsessive Christmas Disorder – Director Ellie Harvie, Writers Brenda Whitehall & Lynda Finch – Comedy

The OOO Block – Director Erik Horn, Writer Erik Horn, Producer Amanda Verhagen – Comedy

Power – Director / Writer Crystal Lowe, Producers Ashley Alexander & Phil Planta – Drama

(?) Questioning – Director Harrison Houde, Writer Kim Chinchilla, Producer Kimi Alexander – Dramedy

Shuttlecock – Director / Writer Melanie Jones, Lead Actor Rhona Rees – Comedy

Small Fish – Director / Writer Maxime Beauchamp, Producer Kent Donguines – Visual Drama

Sophie in the Mirror – Director Greg Melanson, Writer Ren Kennedy, Producer Nadia DiMofte – Drama

Sparks! – Director Hayley Gray, Writers Hayley Gray & David Chin, Producer David Chin & Tina Korki – Comedy

Suburban Desert – Director Shelby Wilson, Writers Shelby Wilson & Matt Seeley, Producer Justin MacGregor & Matt Seeley.- Action Thriller

Take Shelter – Director / Writer Jesse Pickett, Co-Producers Kathleen Mann & Brigitte Patenaude – Post-Apocalyptic

The Traveler – Director / Writer Kay Metchie, Producers Valerie Lopez & Hannah Kess – Action / Thriller

Vivid – Directors / Writers Athena Russell & Tiarra Sulyk, Producers Athena Russell & Tiarra Sulyk – Drama / Fantasy

Waiting for Ganesh – Director / Writer Jacques Lalonde, Producer Arun Fryer & Pat Bermel – Musical Comedy

Break a leg to all the filmmakers!

Meet the #Crazy8sFilms18 Top 12 in person at the Raindance Booze N’Schmooze – 7pm-10pm on Monday, November 27th at the Blarney Stone.

The post Crazy8s 2018 Top 42 Announcement appeared first on Biz Books.

Camping Trip is a new short film in development that promises to subvert the story of two young lovers, their RV, and an unexpected (and deadly) visitor while offering up some good scares in the process.

Leading the way on Camping Trip are Vancouver talents Amy McLeish (Director), Jaden Braunwarth (Producer), Zlatina Pacheva (Writer/Producer), Kevin Rigney (Director of Photography), Matt Popp (First Assistant Director), Ainsley Barteluk (Production Designer), Hannah-Rose Brearley (Key Costumes), Jenny Zheng (Propsmaster), Christopher Graham (Set Decorator), Emily Walsh (Hair & Makeup), and Tina Marie McCulloch (Casting Director).

We caught up with Zlatina Pacheva and Kevin Rigney to hear more about their horror-fueled ambitions for the project and their crowdfunding campaign.

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Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and your involvement with Camping Trip?

Zlatina Pacheva: I’m a writer/director/producer in Vancouver. I wrote Camping Trip a few months ago and approached the very talented Amy McLeish to direct. She’s brought together an amazing team and I’m now assisting Producer Jaden Braunwarth with pre-production duties.

Kevin Rigney: I’m Kevin Rigney, playing the role of Cinematographer for Camping Trip. Amy (Director) and I will be working closely together to create the look, style and feel of the movie. I love this genre, very excited to be working with a very a talented group of women on this. I’ve been working in film for 10 years and these independent projects are my favourite place to be. When I have the opportunity to work with friends and we get to create something together, I find that to be very rewarding and special.

What should audiences expect from Camping Trip?

Zlatina Pacheva: An unconventional plot with all the blood and guts you’d expect from a typical slasher film. We’re subverting gender depictions while also ensuring the film is scary and super fun. Also, our team is 70% women so we hope the female voice rings loud and clear throughout this – it even starts with an excerpt from a Sylvia Plath poem so… ya know.

Kevin Rigney: I think the technology driven youth of today will get a bit of a connection out of the film, It may make them think twice about social media.

Why do you think the horror genre has remained so popular?

Zlatina Pacheva: Having grown up watching horror movies every weekend with my best friend, I think the main reason is because it’s just so damn fun. Nothing brings people together like cowering under blankets or screaming your face off in a movie theatre.

In a more psychological vein – this Vice article discusses how horror films are a sort of cathartic release for those struggling with anxiety. As someone who has always been anxious, I can wholeheartedly relate to this.

Kevin Rigney: It’s really a way to experiment with the audiences fear, horror has evolved a lot with technology and it leaves people wanting more each time. If you go back 20 years, you didn’t really get to see the actual violence, now a days people want that pay off I think.

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“Nothing brings people together like cowering under blankets or screaming your face off in a movie theatre.”

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Which horror films have influenced you the most?

Zlatina Pacheva: Carrie, Scream and the original Poltergeist stand out as front-runners. I also love The Exorcist, IT, Insidious, The Ring and more recently, The Autopsy of Jane Doe.

When writing Camping Trip, I was very inspired by All The Boys Love Mandy Lane, Stage Fright and Addams Family Values (haha…but seriously).

Kevin Rigney: I really like classic horror and zombie films. The Shining, IT, Halloween, The Thing, Hellraiser and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. New age stuff; It Follows, 28 Days Later.

What are the three most important elements for a successful horror film?

Zlatina Pacheva: In my opinion: Good music and sound design, a mysterious villain or tormenting force, just the right sprinkle of comedic relief.

Kevin Rigney: Give as little information to the audience, to keep them guessing. Put the actors in a remote area with no help nearby. Lots of blood.

What books and authors have been influential to your career so far?

Zlatina Pacheva: Screenwriting – pretty much anything by Syd Field. Directing – Directing Actors, On Directing Film, An Actor Prepares. General – The Film Club by David Gilmour, Film Art.

What’s the most rewarding thing about your career right now?

Zlatina Pacheva: Working with passionate, talented humans who want to make movies for the sake of the love of movies and nothing else.

Where can we find out more about you and the Camping Trip campaign?

Zlatina Pacheva: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Indiegogo.

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Thanks to Zlatina Pacheva and Kevin Rigney for speaking with us!

You can support Camping Trip right here.

The post The Biz Interview: Camping Trip Feature appeared first on Biz Books.