“You Know I Love You, Baby”: Phocus Media Takes Top Prizes!

Congratulations to the Phocus Media team! The group’s masterpiece, Day to Die, racked up the most 48 Hour Film Project awards last week at Maiden Alley Cinema, including the big one: Best of Paducah!

In the photo on the right by Keith Ford: Director Jonathan Warren, Still Photographer Drew Swim, Director of Photography Michael Driver, Actor Chuck “Bagel Stealer” Sexton, Producer/Actor Melanie Myers-Hawes, Writer/Actor Gabe “You Know I Love You, Baby” Camacho, Executive Producer/Writer Curt Stewart, Actor Laura “Mine’s Real” K and Grip/Extra Justin Keeling — they’re all headed to Vegas, baby, for Filmapalooza in April 2010 where they’ll compete against other 48 Hour Film Project winners!

At 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14, Phocus team members drew drama as their genre and immediately swung into action, with writers working on the script well into the wee hours of Saturday morning. The plot: Two co-workers (Gabe and Chuck) win the Bluegrass Lottery, quit their jobs (with cameo by Mayor Bill Paxton) and plan their next moves over dinner with their wives (Laura K and Melanie). And that’s where all the drama comes in: adultery, jealousy, intrigue, Jagermeister shots, designer handbag knock-offs and…murder.

The team shot all day and evening Saturday, more on Sunday and edited the piece, with Jonathan Warren (right, photo by Drew Swim) copying the movie to a zip drive in the car on the way to Maiden Alley. He raced to the cinema to turn it in, with 15 seconds to spare.

Not all the groups were so lucky. Of the 14 competing teams, Phocus Media was one of eight that met the 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 16 deadline. Maiden Alley screened 13 of the movies last week for two sold-out nights, with the awards given on a third night.

See the complete set of Day to Die photos!

Here’s a look at all the awards winners:

Phocus Media, Day to Die
Best Film
Best Directing
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Sound Design
Best Use of Dialogue

Photo by Drew Swim

Ghosthouse Records, The Hand Job
Best Writing
Best Use of Prop
Best Graphics

A Goodsize Productions, Kyle Jackson: A Spinderella Story
Best Acting
Best Costumes

Photo by Keith Ford

Funky Little Shack Productions,
Mitzvah
Best Use of Character
Best Musical Score

The Three Amigas, Action Jackson
Best Special Effects

Just In Time Films, Pekin Express
Best Choreography

Can You Loan Me a Friend, You Owe Me
Audience Favorite Award

If you missed the screenings, you get two more chances! Purchase your tickets online for Tuesday, September 1 or Wednesday, September 2. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the films showing at 7 p.m.

Congratulations everyone!