On the 10th of March 2005, the MAC was home again to Screen Test, the Midlands' newest regular screening of locally produced short films. Organised by Natasha Howes of the Leamington Film Co-op, Max Simpson of The Mac and Jerome Leavey, film programmer for Birmingham’s Arts Fest, Screen Test is a bi-monthly short film night.
 | | Jerome |
Submitted films are shown to an audience with an introduction by the film makers involved, a poll is taken with the wining film securing a screening prior to a feature at the Mac's main cinema. The team's call for submissions has had a fantastic response so far and audiences have been impressive, the first approaching a sell out. There has been every indication that there is a growing base of film makers in the Midlands, a trend Jerome partially accounts for by the democratisation of filming equipment, the falling price of digital hardware. "You can have all the technology you need in your bedroom to shoot and edit with, you can even shoot without a crew if you're really creative" Although Screen Test is driven by the ideal that anyone can make and show a film Jerome is keen to stress that the films shown are of an extremely high standard and are not necessarily uncommercial films, many having an appeal that could draw a wide audience: "These films are underground only in that they are not being seen"
 | | Scene from Freaks |
The evening has a unique appeal in the way it engages the audience both through the voting system and the chance to discuss the productions with the film makers in the bar after the screening. "What’s nice is it gives people a chance to react, to do something, instead of just getting up and walking out at the end of a film. People can see who made the film; it’s an opportunity to talk to the film makers." The quality of work shown at the second Screen Test did not disappoint, none of the films had benefited from the main short film funding schemes though the quality was comparable with any of the work produced through the Film Council's Digital Shorts initiative. An eclectic mix with something for everyone, highlights included a slick Brit-gangster short, a hip hop video in homage to Flash Gordon and an animated short about growing sweet peas ONE-SIXTY A DAY - Director Richard Ward
 | | Scene from Freaks |
The only genre piece of the evening, many of the Brit-gangster film boxes were ticked including envelopes of dirty cash, fast motors and gruff voice-over. The narration of the main protagonist held the responsibility of driving the narrative, freeing the director to indulge in fast cut visuals. A paced film with a high shot ratio, clearly directed by someone with the eye of an editor, Richard cut the film himself and scooped the best editor award at Leicester's can festival. The ubiquitous short film twist was delivered with style and an impeccable sense of timing. With sleek editing and a well worked script this film, although not terribly original, proved the skill of everyone involved. FREAKS - Director Ben Lister A curious, eye-catching music video of hip hop artists Def Tex by Custard Factory based Ben Lister. The piece consisted of a Flash Gordon homage inter-cut with the artists rapping to a retreating camera around urban Birmingham, skilfully cut with whip-pans as transitions to give the feel of a continuous take. The sci-fi scenes were meticulously produced including a full army of flying Valkyries armed with DSR-500 cameras. This jovial video had similar appeal to Spike Jonze's Beastie Boy collaborations, and although the two segments within the video seemed detached from each other, the attempt at something aside from the usual hip hop fodder was to be congratulated. SUCCESS WITH SWEET PEAS - Director Samantha Moore An endearing piece, made over three years, about competitive sweet-pea growing and showing in Shropshire. Consisting of digital animation accompanied by a narration of sweet-pea enthusiasts describing their pastime. The upbeat soundtrack supplied by composer Adam Goddard shouldn't have worked alongside the narration exploring such a sedentary subject, but the combination along with Samantha's free flowing organically evolving visuals made for an engaging mix.
 | | Scene from Success with Sweet Peas |
Essentially this was a film about passion, both in the work of the growers and the animator depicting them who scoured the allotments of Shropshire with a microphone whilst heavily pregnant looking for interviewees. There was something quite uplifting hearing the soothing tones of people talking unselfconsciously, with love and affection about a subject they know well. Perhaps the most confident and original film of the night, a real gem. AND THE WINNER IS... Voters in the world's newest democracy turned out to be green fingered rather than purple, making Samantha Moore's 'Success with Sweet Peas' a worthy winner of the audience poll. At an event that invites open submissions judged by the public, in an auditorium of film directors with day jobs, the first line of the winning film seemed quite apt - 'whether you're a dustbin man or a doctor, you're all on an equal level when showing sweet peas.' Screen Test screens again on Thursday 19th May, to submit work contact: screentest@hotmail.co.uk | 
