Covy Moore/Rocky View Publishing

Airdrie filmmakers Nick Cupelli and Bryan MacDonald took part in the 24-Hour Film Race in Calgary on May 18.

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Airdrie filmmakers race for $10,000 award

Twenty-four teams had 24 hours to create a four-minute video centred around the No. 1.

The 24-Hour Film Race began in New York City in 2002 and has grown into an international event that has made its way to Calgary. This year’s event featured two Airdrie filmmakers.

Airdrie residents 21-year-old Nick Cupelli and 24-year-old Bryan MacDonald participated in the event.

Ron Devitt has been a producer of the Calgary race for three years and has seen the event grow from 10 to 14 teams, to the 24 teams entered this year.

“(Cupelli’s film is) sort of an Art house soliloquy. It's a very artsy film - interestingly shot with a very interesting message,” Devitt said.

“(MacDonald’s film is) about a young boy and his relationship with his mother on the first day of school.”

On the day of the race, teams are emailed a theme, an action and a prop that must be included in their film and are given the day to complete their team. This year’s event, held on May 18, included: ‘one’ as the theme, listening to music as the action and the No. 1 as the prop.

The event has taken place in Calgary for four years. Anyone can partake in the event. Those wishing to have their video screened and included in the several award prizes must pay a $35 registration fee.

“Calgary has a fairly small filmmaking community, especially compared to Vancouver or Toronto,” Devitt said.

“I think the fact that we had 24 teams this year speaks volumes. People want to take part in these kinds of these things more and more.”

Cupelli has been interested in filmmaking since Grade 6, taking classes in school and practicing in his spare time with snowboard and skateboard videos.

“At Bert Church we were lucky,” Cupelli said. “Our teacher won a huge grant. By the time I got into Grade 10, I had all new equipment.”

Cupelli is currently working on the set of Heartland, a Canadian family drama television show filmed in the Rockies and airing on CBC.

He said he has matured since entering the race for the first time in high school. He is aware of the pressures involved.

“Everyone was pretty tired in the end,” he said of his friends who helped him with the film.

“It’s good because it forces you to make a project in a really short time.”

This is the third time MacDonald has entered. He works for Eaton Electrical, but completed a film production diploma from the Toronto Film College. He creates films in his spare time and has gained experience as a videographer for Community Links and the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie.

“I like the challenge, especially because I don’t have any friends that help me,” he said. “I had to write it, film it and edit it all by myself.”

He said he prepared a schedule and chose the music beforehand.

“To be able to do a short film in a day is really unbelievable,” Devitt said. “I’m always impressed with how good the quality of the films are.”

The two Airdrie teams are vying for first place to be shown in New York and have a chance to win $10,000.

“Hopefully this year will be my year,” MacDonald said.

The screening and awards night took place on June 27 (after press time). For more information, visit www.filmracing.com