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Berkeley Community Media Plays – Ep1, Crawl

Join us for our first ever foray into the world of E-Sports!

This years cohort of youth workers have a passion for video games, so we decided to try our hands …at some creating some video game content. Stay tuned for other games we play.

Filmed July 2026Show More

Berkeley Community Media Plays – Ep1, Crawl

Join us for our first ever foray into the world of E-Sports! This …

Submit Your Short Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Indy Film to the 19th Annual BCM Horror Film Fest-Evil

We’d love to have your film screen at our upcoming Horror film …

Edited Version of the 16th Annual BCM Summer Shorts Movie Jam: 48 Hour Filmmaker Challenge

We hope you enjoy this edited version of the 16th Annual BCM Summer …

16th Annual BCM 48HR Filmmaker Challenge – Screening

It’s been a wild 48 hours! Come and watch as our film makers come back …

16th Annual BCM 48HR Filmmaker Challenge – Launch

Join us as we give our film making teams the three ingredients they …

16th Annual 48HR Filmmaker Challenge – Launch

Join us as we launch our 48HR Filmmaker Challenge! The three …

Berkeley Juneteenth 2026

Join us as BCM partners with YEE TV to cover the Berkeley Juneteenth …

How to Survive a 48 Hour Film Challenge

InPresented by Jeff Lunzaga aka Desciple of www.torridproductions.com …

InPresented by Jeff Lunzaga aka Desciple of http://www.torridproductions.com for Berkeley Community Media. This workshop included tips on how to take on and survive a 48 hour film challenge.
Here is …a synopsis of what was said:

YOU CAN DO IT
You just need to plan it out. Everyone who has ever had a dream is a storyteller.

Requirements of a 48 Hour Film Challenge:
Launch Party July 10th 5pm Berkeley Community Media 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Return with films by 6pm to the Veterans Memorial Building 1931 Center Street
Screening of Films July 12th 7pm at the Veterans Memorial Building 1931 Center Street
Length of films can be 30 seconds up to 10 minutes
3 Secret Ingredients to be revealed at the Launch Friday 5pm.
A theme
A prop
A spoken line

The reasons to create film in just 48 Hours:
Perfect for people with short attention spans and keeps your creativity focused.

First Rule:
You have to COMMIT by staying focussed so you, yourself know what you are doing and, so you can tell others what to do.

What you Need:
A camera and a computer. It is fine to use your camera on your phone.
There are many kinds of cameras that you can use, from Go-Pro to 360 to mini DV to your phone or other high end prosumer devices. You just have to make sure you can transfer it to your computer so you can edit it and turn it into a file to share with the festival tech team.

Crew Positions:
Appoint people their positions.
1. Team Leader:
Helps to coordinate the overall project
2. Sound:
Get someone who is in charge of sound. Check the quality of the sound to make sure you get what you need. Try using sound effects like foley to enhance the character of the film.
3. Camera:
Get a dedicated camera person. It is possible to pre-plan the shots and lock in settings for the camera. You can edit in the camera for those cameras which have built in editing soft ware. It’s also possible to plan your shots so that you are only filming in sequence and it’s even possible to film one continuous shot.
4. Cast:
Make sure that they are not flakes and Commit! Make an upfront agreement. If they have to leave, make sure to get extra footage to cover anything you didn’t think of later when you are doing the edit.
5. Props:
Can use props to drive the story eg. The Maltese Falcon

Be Resourceful:
YouTube University will help with camera settings for different times of day.
Learn about the Triangle: Aperture, Shutter, ISO
Everyone has an experience that nobody else has done. Put those experiences into the script through the 3 elements and the passion and uniqueness will show up and make your film different thank anyone else’s.

OKAY to do in Advance:
Location:
Scout out the location and get permission so that you can be ready to film once you get the 3 clues.
Scenarios:
Experiment in advance with things you might want to try out, like a specific wig, outfit, character, accent, etc.

Structure and the Flow:
Not one way to do something
Time is VERY VERY Important
Manage your time well and know what you need to de-stress yourself.
Leave enough time for the editing. It always takes you longer than you think.
Write your script on Friday. You could even start to film on Friday night.
Keep all your media organized.
Saturday is when the bulk of the filming will occur.
Take care of your crew by feeding and hydrating them. Show them respect
Editor can start making assembly rough cut by Saturday night.
Deadline 6pm Sunday July 12th at the Veterans Memorial Building.
Do your mix-down by 4pm.
Suggested to use the program called Handbrake to make the files smaller.
By 5pm, you should be heading to the Veterans Memorial Building to make sure that traffic won’t hold you back.
Bring your laptop and external drive to a cafe nearby so you are close enough to submit in time.
You can submit the film remotely to berkeleycommunitymedia@gmail.com in Mp4 file or .mov 1920 x 1080 is a standard format.

Please keep in mind:
What about AI:
AI is just a tool, and you are the creator.
BCM will not allowing submission of your film if you let AI create your film for you!Show More

2026 16th Annual BCM Summer Shorts Movie Jam: 48 Hour Filmmaker Challenge

Challenge yourself to write shoot & edit a short film of 10 minutes or …

Challenge yourself to write shoot & edit a short film of 10 minutes or less in just 48 hours. Fly solo or create a team to share the glory!

Berkeley Community …Media proudly offers this memorable adventure whose success depends on the imagination, skills and endurance of willingness of it’s participants! It’s our Sweet 16 Party: The 16th Annual BCM Summer Shorts Movie Jam: 48 Hour Filmmaker Challenge.

Berkeley Community Media (www.bcmtv.org) is a non-profit public access TV station and a community hub for creative media makers. In this day and age, just about everyone has an eye for making media! We invite you to round up some friends to either come with as a team, join together with other folks on the spot, or fly solo.

If you are new to this kind of filmmaking sport, never fear, there are always others with just a bit more experience to bond and support your filmmaking efforts. Teams are allowed to consider in advance all the various factors of creating a film such as what gear they will use, scouting locations, what voice or message they may have, transportation, craft services and which team member will fulfill each position. However, actual filming is limited to the weekend challenge and must include the 3 secret clues.

We are limiting the festival this year to 12 teams so we have enough time to screen films and have mini interview sessions with filmmakers.

Launch Party
Friday July 10th 5pm
Berkeley Community Media 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Reveal 3 clues: An Object, A Phrase, and A Theme.

Filmmakers return with completed film
Sunday July 12th 6pm
Veterans Memorial Building
1931 Center Street in Berkeley

Film Screenings
Sunday July 12th 7pm
Veterans Memorial Building
1931 Center Street in Berkeley
Live on BCMTV.org with live audience

Details:
Friday July 10th 5pm: Arrive on the steps of to receive the clues which you must include in the film. Then, at 6pm, Launch into the world to write, shoot, edit your film.

Sunday July 12th 6pm: Submit your short film of 10 minutes or less, in person remotely via berkeleycommunitymedia@gmail.com or in person at The Veterans Memorial Building 1931 Center Street in Berkeley

Sunday July 12th 7pm: Films will be screened in front of a live audience and broadcast live on http://www.bcmtv.org.
RSVP to Eventbrite link to have the chance to participate.
Only 12 teams accepted.

Team collaboration encouraged. Register your Production Team http://tinyurl.com/48hrLaunch

See you in the movies!!! AND, Tell your friends!

Questions Melanie@betv.org

More info about Berkeley Community Media http://www.bcmtv.orgShow More

Intern Showcase – Spring 2026

Join us as we celebrate the hard work of the 2026 Spring Intern Cohort!

Art Without Borders Art Sale at La Pena Cultural Center

Friends, Familia, Community! This one day ART SALE supports immigrant …

Bay Area Book Fest 2025

Since 2015, Bay Area Book Festival has featured the boldest and most …