Hard work and anticipation turned into a learning experience for two aspiring filmmakers from Bakersfield College and their two-person crew at the second annual Kern Film Festival held at the Fox Theater.
BC students William Hoschele, Aron Vietti, Robyn Olague and Adrienne Lopez made a short film, “The Chase,” that was a finalist in the inaugural short film contest that was part of the festival.
“I did everything I could directorially,” Hoschele said.
Hoschele directed and acted in the film while Vietti, a former photographer for The Rip, was director of photography.
While Lopez assisted Vietti, Olague acted in the project, which then was shown for the first time to an audience before a screening of “Planet of the Apes.”
Hoschele and company received good reviews by those who watched.
According to Hoschele, it was these comments that gave him more confidence that his film could actually win the $250 first-place prize.
But the winner was “When the Plot Thickens,” by Monte Wilson.
Even though their film did not place in the January event, it was a great experience to have the spotlight on them for a little while.
“It was cool to be recognized,” he said.
With guidelines of a 30-minute time limit, a PG-level of content and significant use of Kern County locations, seven finalists were chosen out of 19 short films turned into the competition.
Use of Kern County locations was key.
Hoschele talked about a script weeks before the event and approached Vietti about filming it for the contest.
In two days of filming and several days of editing, “The Chase” was finished.
“The Chase,” a nine-minute product of a video camera and home computer editing, is a love story of simple proportions.
The girl, played by Olague, is followed all over town by the boy, played by Hoschele, who only wants to return the book she left behind.
Of course, the book is not the only reason the boy wants to find her.
His quest takes Hoschele to various places such as the Fox Theater, the Marketplace and the now defunct nXCaffe.
The story is compacted, with no dialogue and minimal sound, composed by Vietti.
“The purpose of the contest is to showcase up and coming film talent here,” said short film contest coordinator Dave Hook.