From concept to credits: Inside the 48-Hour Shootout

From concept to credits: Inside the 48-Hour Shootout

The annual 48-Hour Shootout challenged teams of students to write, shoot and edit a short film in just two days, resulting in the competition’s first-ever win for a fully animated film.

Bella Moyers-Chavez, '26 | March 4, 2025

We fade in on a group of exhausted college students huddled in the lobby of the Schoonover Center, eyes heavy, voices low but buzzing with anticipation. Some lean against walls, others sit cross-legged on the floor, heads resting on backpacks. They’re waiting. Upstairs, footsteps pound against the stairwell as someone sprints down three flights, skipping steps with only seconds to spare. They are focused on one thing and one thing only: turning in their film before the deadline. The lobby crowd barely reacts; they’ve all been there. In minutes, the screening will begin, and the chaos of the past 48 hours will finally play out on the big screen.

This is the culmination of the 48-Hour Shootout, the fast-paced annual event that pushes participants to their limits, testing not only their creative abilities but their endurance. With no time to second-guess decisions, students are forced to think on their feet, problem-solve on the fly, and embrace the chaos that comes with the challenge of writing, filming and editing a movie in two days.

It doesn’t matter what the final product looks like as long as you had fun creating it.

Grace Miller, junior journalism student

Action!

Cut to a packed room, buzzing with nervous energy, 49 hours earlier. The captains’ meeting is a mix of excitement and tension as team leaders gather to receive the prompts that will determine many elements of what their teams produce over the next two days. The selection process isn’t just a simple draw. Each genre, prop and line of dialogue is decided through a series of games, adding a layer of chaos and fun. Laughter, groans and shouts fill the space as teams find out what they’ll be working with.

The room is hot, adding to the pressure. As the clock nears 5 p.m., everyone braces themselves. Then--go! The second the clock strikes, captains bolt out the door, rushing to their teams with assignments in hand. The 48 has officially begun.

The teams dive into brainstorming, writing, shooting and editing with intensity. The short timeframe means there is little room for error, and the students often have to make quick decisions without the luxury of redoing scenes. Technical difficulties are inevitable, but participants make do with the resources available, relying on their teamwork, skills and creativity to overcome challenges and stay on track.

Students in classroom — Photo credit: Emma Stevenson

Two days, one vision

We enter through a darkened hallway in a university basement. The hum of fluorescent lights echoes as we make our way down the hall and find a room barely big enough to fit four people and their equipment. The team is sweating, their faces tense but energized, and they’re scrambling to wrap up their production. In the corner of the room, a large, dark stain on the floor catches the eye. No one knows what caused it, but in this moment, it’s the last thing on anyone’s mind. All that matters is nailing the final shot.

Senior Lily Biggs, a returning participant, found the experience exhilarating and chaotic, recalling that the unpredictability was part of the fun.

“I’ve done the 48 every year, and it’s always a great reminder that nothing can ever be perfect,” Biggs said. “We can only do our best and have fun doing it. We as a team are incredibly proud of how hard we worked and what we accomplished in two days, and that’s what makes it so fun.”

Students filming in small room — Photo credit: Haleigh Jankowski

Biggs' team faced the "quest" genre, which meant crafting an adventurous and compelling story. To bring their vision to life, the team incorporated intricate special effects. Executing a complex storyline and visual effects in such a short time was an obstacle to overcome.

“Special effects are a large part of our film, and editing those in was incredibly challenging,” Biggs said. “Our editors did an amazing job in the time they had. Additionally, creating a cohesive story in our genre in such a short amount of time is incredibly difficult.”

Despite the obstacles, the team felt proud of what they accomplished, especially when the team won Best Actor for their sidekick character, which was "played" by an actual broom. The experience reinforced the importance of collaboration and flexibility in the creative process.

From drowsy to deadline

Through the grey sky, we zoom in on the members of senior Zack Reed’s team, huddled together in the early morning hours of the 48-Hour Shootout. After a sleepless night of brainstorming, the team is exhausted but determined, trying to get some outdoor shots before the rain sets in. Their film follows two newly-unemployed men who decide to follow in their father’s footsteps by becoming hall monitors. They assign themselves to a boss, tackle her assistant to get her out of the way, and dive into their new roles with relentless enthusiasm.

Student pose with fake police badges — Photo credit: Emma Stevenson

The team moves to the library, where they make the role of hall monitors mean business. For Reed and his producer, senior Nate Gardner, the pressure intensifies as they balance directing and managing logistics. Gardner runs back and forth, making sure the team has batteries, food and anything else they need while keeping an eye on the big picture.

The entire time is filled with laughter, creating a positive, collaborative atmosphere, even though everyone is exhausted. As the competition stretches into the late night, the team’s fatigue matched by their dedication. When the library's closing time arrives, Reed and Gardner manage to secure an extension, giving the team the extra time they need to finish their final shots. Afterward, they head to another location, where energy is low but spirits remain high. Some lie on the floor, others laugh deliriously, but everyone pushes through to finish the final scenes, savoring the surreal moments of their 48-hour marathon.

Excellence in storytelling isn’t accidental. It’s the result of planning, problem-solving, and a relentless pursuit of perfection.

Nate Gardner, junior media arts production student

As the deadline nears, teams continue to battle exhaustion while racing to finish, relying on caffeine and adrenaline to push them through. It’s a test of both creativity and endurance. Senior journalism major Grace Miller, one of the team’s writers, reflected on the power of teamwork and morale during those critical hours.

“We were filming at 2 a.m. and our director, Kat Carlson, got so delirious that she started laughing for no reason,” Miller said. “It was my favorite moment because it reminded me we’re all in this together.”

With only a few hours left, the editing team is still hard at work, piecing together footage, color-correcting and fine-tuning the audio. With the clock ticking down, they manage to turn in their film with less than 30 seconds to spare.

The journey had been long and exhausting, but they created a short film under immense pressure, powered by teamwork and completed just in time.

“It doesn’t matter what the final product looks like as long as you had fun creating it,” Miller says.

Collage of media students taking videos on set — Photo credit: Emma Stevenson and Haleigh Jankowski

And the winner is...

Cut to a loud and bustling room, filled with anticipation as teams await the screening of their films. The energy is contagious and as each film plays, the sense of camaraderie builds. Support booms throughout the space, and laughter echoes as everyone shares in the excitement.

Out of all the teams, two high school teams and one from Hocking College stand among the OHIO students. The screening allows students to bond over their stories of sleepless nights and the challenges of shooting on a tight deadline. Everyone compares notes and offers support, celebrating their achievements as they watch their creative work come to life.

Students pose for photo on steps — Photo credit: Emma Stevenson

For senior Katie Williams and her team, the screening is particularly special. As the first animation team in the history of the 48-Hour Shootout to win, the moment is both historic and deeply rewarding. The team’s ability to execute a fully animated film within the demanding time constraints not only impressed the judges, but also highlighted the growing role of digital and animated storytelling in the competition.

“Being the first animation team in the history of the 48-Hour Shootout to win was such an incredible and validating experience” Williams said. “It was truly amazing to see everyone’s skill sets come together to create something that people can watch and enjoy.”