Out of the Cellar

    How It Works

    Time is the single part of filmmaking that we can’t recover. Every part of a film must be carefully planned out to the minute or else costly mistakes may happen. This 48-hour horror challenge of writing, shooting, and editing a short horror film will show you what
    creativity under time pressure feels like.
    FRIDAY
    Friday is kickoff day. You will also write your script and prep for the film shoot on
    KICKOFF
    At least one representative from your team attends the kickoff event, hosted by Open Canopy in Redwood City, CA. There, the following happens:
    ● Receive information – we will discuss rules, answer questions and give you other relevant information.
    ● Draw your sub-genre – the broad genre category is HORROR, but there are so many different adjacent sub genres. You will draw TWO of these defining genres. You may choose to stick with ONE of the defining genres, or combine them.
    ● Receive required elements – we will reveal the character, prop and line for this year’s challenge. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules on the required elements.
    TIP: You may bring your entire team to kickoff, but you should have people at base camp to prep for the shoot, make dinner, start brainstorming, etc.
    HEADQUATERS
    We are offering use of the kickoff space, Open Canopy in Redwood City, CA, as your touchdown space and Headquarters. The hours will be strict. Friday from Kickoff until 9pm. Saturday from 10am until 9pm. Sunday from 10am until Drop-Off.
    This is not an overnight location and your personal belongings and gear will not be watched.
    TIP: Use the location as a touch down space for run and gun shooting sequences, building props and sets and editing offloads.

    WRITE AND PREP
    After Kickoff, start writing! Most start with a brainstorming session, others send it straight to their writer. While the script is being written, the crew can prep for the next day; like: getting the required prop, make a shot list, prep the gear, build a set, look for actors and/or extras, etc.
    TIP: Keep checking in on the writer – they may have something you can prepare for – saving time on Saturday.
    SATURDAY
    Filming day! The editor can start working on early shots.
    FILMING
    Start filming the script, with actors acting and directors directing and the fake blood flowing.
    TIP: Limit the locations. Strike, company move and set up takes a lot of time, which you don’t have a lot of when making a film in 48 hours.
    EDITING AND POST PRODUCTION START
    The moment your first scene is done, put your editor to work syncing the material, put a first timeline together, etc. The color grader can start working on a look and the composer can start working on music.
    TIP: BACK UP YOUR DATA! You don’t want to lose hours of filming.
    SUNDAY
    Drop off day! All the parts of your film will come together and you will have a complete horror film by day’s end.
    POST PRODUCTION
    The editor has been working all night, director has given their approval and most teams have a picture lock by early afternoon. Music is being composed, sound is being designed and credit rolls are being made.
    PAPERWORK
    Besides the actual film, all the paperwork needs to be handed in on Sunday too. The waiver and release forms, materials release form, etc.Bring them in-person to Drop off or upload to your Teams’ drive in the OOTC48 Google Folder.

    TIP: Make one person responsible for all the paperwork.
    DROP OFF
    Before the clock strikes 7:30pm, your film should be uploaded to our OOTC48 Google Drive, in your teams’ folder.
    OR
    In-person copy over onto our terabyte drive at Base Camp. (Best Choice)


    SCREENING AND AWARDS
    At The Chabot Theater YOUR film will grace the big screen on Saturday, November 14, 2026, during Out Of The Cellar Horror Film Festival – as it was meant to! The OOTC48 will have its own block. Everyone is welcome, participants of OOTC48 will get a
    discount code for tickets so bring your friends, family, neighbors and whoever else to see YOUR creation!
    Your film is eligible for all of the Audience Choice Awards. The winning films will be offered a place in our Out Of The Cellar Horror Film Festival 2026 Anthology.

    This is OOTC48 in a nutshell. Feel inspired? Ready to accept the challenge? Register Now!

    REGISTER HERE