A love letter to indie filmmaking: New local short filmed in Ogden wins big at local film fest

NEWS

Production photos of “Number 7: A Space Opera” filmed at Ogden Contemporary Arts. Josh McDarris

Local filmmaker Brandie Lee McDonald’s seven-minute experimental comedy “Number 7: A Space Opera,” which was shot entirely in one take on Aug. 5 at Ogden Contemporary Arts, won three awards at the Carbon County Film Festival less than three weeks later.

McDonald wrote the original screenplay for the film which follows Rebecca as she enters a chaotic film set with an eccentric cast and crew as they film a space opera. It received the Audience Award, Best Sound, and Best Cinematography. 

“I was genuinely surprised and thrilled to hear our film announced three times,” McDonald said. “We created it on an incredibly quick, and tight timeline, so seeing the team’s hard work recognized was both exciting and validating.”

The ambitious project almost came to a halt as a film location could not be found after weeks of searching and the deadline quickly approached.

“Ultimately, Venessa Castagnoli, executive director of Ogden Contemporary Arts, opened the doors to us and gave our film a home which we secured at the end of July.”

The space presented new challenges and in the end shaped the film’s outcome.

“We stayed true to the structure and tightness of the screenplay, but shifted where certain moments happened and allowed room for some improvisation based on the space,” she said.

McDonald had long been wanting to do this style of film style of film, called a “oner,” which is a story that unfolds through one uninterrupted camera take. She wanted it to feel chaotic, hectic and slightly out of control, just like a real indie film set can feel – a “short love letter to independent filmmaking.”  

With 45 cast and crew members, the film was shot in 10 complete takes. The version that made the final cut is Take 10. 

“I had to clearly communicate the overall vision, but once filming began, I ultimately had to trust my actors and crew, and let them experiment and play a little,” McDonald said. “I just really wanted movement in the single take frame and that's what you see on screen. Watching all the moving pieces come together was pretty amazing.”

“Number 7: A Space Opera” also received quarterly jury honorable mentions for Best Director and Best Experimental Film at Zepstone International Film and Music Festival (ZepFEST) in Murray, Utah through Sept. 5, which qualifies the film for the festival’s annual awards. 

“ZepFEST is one of my favorite Utah film festivals, so receiving that recognition and being included in its annual lineup is especially exciting,” McDonald said. 

“Number 7: A Space Opera” is written and directed by Brandie Lee McDonald and produced by Ryan McDonald and stars McKelle Shaw as Rebecca. The director of photography is Brad Kendrick.

“I’m incredibly proud of what our cast and crew accomplished together,” McDonald said. “These awards belong to the entire team, the film only works because everyone trusted the vision and fully committed to its unusual rhythm, humor and leaned into some improvisation with the overall structure.”

Ogden audiences can see the film on Monday, Aug. 31, at Funk ’n Dive Bar, just before the Movie Night Monday presentation of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” followed by a short Q&A about the production. The event is free and open to guests 21 and older. The evening begins at 7 p.m. and the feature film starts at 7:30 p.m.