Become a filmmaker in two weeks: GCTV will hold fifth annual Lights! Camera! Greenfield! short film contest

Filmmakers of all ages and skill levels are invited to produce a four minute film based on a secret prompt that will be announced at GCTV’s competition kick off event on Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. at GCTV’s office on Main Street.

Filmmakers of all ages and skill levels are invited to produce a four minute film based on a secret prompt that will be announced at GCTV’s competition kick off event on Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. at GCTV’s office on Main Street. Courtesy Greenfield Community Television

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

Staff Writer

Published: 01-24-2025 10:06 AM

Modified: 01-27-2025 12:41 PM


Lights! Camera! Greenfield! is back for Greenfield Community Television’s fifth annual film sprint competition, challenging aspiring filmmakers to make a short film in just two weeks. 

“It’s mostly about having fun,” GCTV director Drew Hutchison said. “It’s not about how good you are; it’s just about making a film.”

Filmmakers of all ages and skill levels are invited to produce a four minute film based on a secret prompt that will be announced at GCTV’s competition kick off event on Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. at GCTV’s office on Main Street. 

Lights! Camera! Greenfield! was held for the first time in 2019, inspired by similar competitions held by other public access stations, some of which have film sprints that give competitors as little as a week or even 24 hours to produce a film, Hutchinson said. GCTV choose a two week timeframe to give filmmakers more flexibility, and hopefully encourage more people to participate. 

Hutchison said GCTV did not host a competition last year due to timing issues with changing leadership, but is excited to return this year and encourage people to pick up a camera and make a movie. 

“It’s a way to give people a kick to do something they’ve wanted to do but haven’t done yet,” Hutchison said.

You do not need experience or professional equipment to compete, Hutchison said, adding that great films can be produced with phone cameras and edited with free programs like CapCut or DaVici Resolve.

During the kick off event, competitors will pick their prompt from a hat, and the countdown to deadline will begin. Prompts cover a variety of topics, encouraging competitors to produce their film in the style of a famous director, or genre, or even as simple as including a specific line in their script. 

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While the competition is about all about having fun, there is a prize at stake. The winning filmmaker will win a free movie night at Greenfield Garden Cinema, where they can choose a screening of any movie they and their invited guests would like to see.

The film entries will be judged by members of GCTV’s board of directors during a screening event at Greenfield Garden Cinemas on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. 

Hutchison said over the years he’s noticed the best way to impress the judges is to not worry about using fancy filming and editing techniques, keep it simple, and tell a good story.

“If we’re noticing the camera work, you’re doing it wrong,” Hutchison said. “Write a strong script and film it as vanilla as you can.”

GCTV will be hosting workshops to help filmmakers with their projects. Over the course of a two-hour workshop, GCTV staff will write, shoot, edit and produce a short film from start to finish to show filmmakers how it can be done. 

Two workshops will be held at Greenfield Community College from noon to 2 p.m., on Feb. 3 and 4. Another workshop will be held at Looky Here at 28 Chapman St. on Feb. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A workshop will be held at the Greenfield Public Library on Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. and a workshop will be held at the Franklin County’s YMCA on Feb. 28. 

Hutchison added that GCTV staff are always available to answer questions and help how they can. Aspiring filmmakers can call the office anytime.

Films must be submitted by midnight, Feb. 24.

For more information, and to register to compete, visit gctv.org.

 Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.