Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project

My participation in this fantastic event

Me posing with the Winner’s of Best Film at the 2018 Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project Awards Show, in Shea’s Smith Theatre, Buffalo, NY.

In 2015 I debuted an event I founded called the Great Lakes Christian Film Festival. During that year, as I was learning of other festivals and events in the Buffalo market I discovered an international event called the 48 Hour Film Project. Unfortunately for me in both 2015 and 2016 my event was scheduled the same weekend as our city participated, so I missed out. I did manage to make it to a few events before and after, like networking and trivia nights.

Every year since 2017 I’ve been participating in the Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project in August. I’ve worked with some amazing people on different teams every year. The first three years I’ve joined teams with female directors, and enjoyed every minute of it with each of them. Each had a unique style of directing and each had a different background.

My first year I worked with veteran 48er, Danielle Morgera’s Team on the project Mr. Imagination, co-starring as the character Mercury, assistant to Doughy Joe (Cameron Daboin). It was such a fun experience working with them, and was blessed to have my father Robert “Bobby” Greene as a part of it, while he was visiting from Florida. He had no idea what he was getting into. Our team won the “Spirit of the 48” Award. We were blessed to have people close to us participate, such as my Uncle Roger Rainville as martial artist and music for the soundtrack featuring Patsy Silver Cristofanilli‘s band Radio 9.

Part of the team “Ray of Light” at the 2018 encore screenings of the Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project.

The second year, in 2018, I worked with Ekaete Obot Bailey‘s team, in Sliced, where I played an evil spirit opposite an angel, played by Khisha Laguerre-Arnold. Both of us spirit beings were unseen by Ekaete’s character, and were battling for her mind. The team got nominated for “best use of line.”

Carl, the cinematographer was a good friend of mine, and just happens to be the director’s husband. I loved having a chance to work with him again. We ran into each other on various stage and film projects throughout the city of Buffalo. I also acted in one of Carl’s projects, currently in pre-production, and worked with him during various years at the Great Lakes Christian Film Festival.

During the Award ceremony of the Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project, November 2018, I interviewed and recorded at the event as part of my Journalism class that semester. Here’s the article. I finished the class with an “A”. Over the years I’ve had the privileged of meeting and running into may great people from this event. It is always a pleasure to work with everyone throughout the year.

In 2019, I worked with first-time participant, Deysha Johnson, playing the lead role as the Father of my co-star, a 7-year-old girl, who played the character Lily. Our team was nominated for “Best Editing,” “Best Use of Prop,” and is in the Top 10 overall. Award show is September 12th. Here’s the full short for the 2019 Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project: LAI

In the Fall of 2019, for other similar film competitions, I launched my own film team called “Too Much Bull” making 2 films in November 2019 and January 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown caused the cancellation of the 2020 Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project. The international competition created a Stuck At Home version in the Spring, where I participated alone, playing 2 characters, [ continue for more details on the projects under Too Much Bull ].

Under the new team name, I returned with 30 other teams to participate in the 2021 Buffalo 48 HFP with a team of 18 of us, producing the film Keep It Clean. I had 9 women participating, so I decided to make a film about a Women’s Ministry Dodge Ball Tournament. Yes, a little Christianity with a little comedy. I had a blast working with a great team of writers and and editor. I ended up functioning as Producer, Director, DP, Gaffer, Boom Operator and extra. We had a great response during the screenings, and it made me proud to share it with the masses.

In 2022 I merged my team with the Buffalo Movie and Video Makers club (BMVM) to form the largest team I’ve ever been on, much less directed for film competitions. We had over 25 people participating with various skills and expertise. The team name was simply BMVM/Too Much Bull. Interesting enough we had very few people from each team from last year’s groups, with a conglomerate of about 5 other teams as one. It was one of my most memorable moments in my filmmaking career.

Our Super Team came up with the film 60 Seconds. When I say it was awesome, I’m saying it was awesome. So many people came up to me after each screening and were so impressed and excited for us. Unfortunately the film itself did not win any awards, but we were nominated for Best Use of Prop and Best Actor (Mark Tramont). As team leader our team received the Spirit of 48 Award, and was personally given the consolation prize Ruler Supreme of the 48. I was disappointed for my team that they weren’t given more recognition and awards, but was proud of all the team accomplished over that weekend.

https://vimeo.com/746645600

I signed up again under Too Much Bull for the 2023 Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project. Stay tuned!

Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project | My IMDb