About
One Genome Short Productions was formed in 2006 to compete in the 48 Hour Film Project in Des Moines, IA. We thought it would be fun to make a movie over a weekend.
We had no idea what we had gotten ourselves into.
It was a sweltering weekend in late July. We were filming in the woods with a rented camera we barely knew how to operate. Flying insects of every imaginable species pestered us relentlessly. Costume mustaches refused to stay on until we resorted to using freshly-chewed bubble gum. We stayed up all night editing footage, assembling it into a makeshift story. As the deadline approached, we struggled to get the finished movie transferred to the required MiniDV tape. At the last possible moment, we virtually ripped the camera from the firewire cable, hopped in the waiting car, and rushed toward the dropoff point. Needless to say, many traffic laws were violated on the way. As we burst through the doors of the dropoff point at The Fleur Cinema and Café, people were counting down to the deadline.
“Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven…”
We handed over our tape just in the nick of time. We had successfully completed our first 48 Hour Film Project. It was stressful. It was exhausting. It was chaotic. It was fantastic!
We were hooked!
Please enjoy our films, each of which was made in a single weekend.
2020 – In the Weeds
When people think of landscaping, they often think of flowers, sunshine, and high fashion. However, few are privy to the hidden dangers that grow in the shady plots of the landscaping profession. Join us as we dig into the fertile and seedy stories of some of the budding stars of landscaping.
Genre: Action/Adventure or Climate Film
Character: Les or Lily Rostinger, Landscaper
Prop: A Pencil
Dialogue: "She told me to tell you, ‘She’s leaving town.’" or "She told me to tell you, ‘She is leaving town.’"
Character: Les or Lily Rostinger, Landscaper
Prop: A Pencil
Dialogue: "She told me to tell you, ‘She’s leaving town.’" or "She told me to tell you, ‘She is leaving town.’"
Unfortunately, “In the Weeds” didn’t win any awards. I’ll just blame it on 2020. Damn you, 2020!!!
2019 – Luv-Chucks
Finding your target at a crowded parade is easy. Finding love is not. What’s a lonely assassin to do? Can our heroine shift from snapping necks to turning heads? Can she stop smashing skulls long enough to start breaking hearts? Will she be able to move past the pile of dead bodies and find someone who makes her feel alive? Watch as our lovelorn hit-woman sets her sights on romance.
Genre: Romance or Period Piece
Character: Ray or Rihanna Hilton, Bookkeeper
Prop: A Water Bottle
Dialogue: "Something isn’t right." or "Something is not right."
Character: Ray or Rihanna Hilton, Bookkeeper
Prop: A Water Bottle
Dialogue: "Something isn’t right." or "Something is not right."
- Best Use of Prop
2018 – Medium Stakes
Megan "The Chef" D’Amato is cooking up evil, and the only ones left to stop her are Detectives Puck and Cloten. However, they seem to be a bit distracted, so their partner and reluctant babysitter, Detective Kemp, takes matters into her own hands. Tensions rise and sparks fly as Detective Kemp and "The Chef" meet face-to-face. Who will win the final showdown?
Genre: Fantasy or Coming of Age
Character: Michael or Megan D’Amato, Chef
Prop: Headphones or Earbuds
Dialogue: "Why am I always last?"
Character: Michael or Megan D’Amato, Chef
Prop: Headphones or Earbuds
Dialogue: "Why am I always last?"
- Best Dialogue
2017 – Re:Pete
If you could travel back in time, where would you go? What would you do? Would you take a painting class from Picasso? Would you gaze into the night sky with Galileo? Would you have sex with yourself just to see if your ex was right? Pete, a time travel salesman for the time travel agency About Time, wants to help you answer all of these questions and more. Pack your bags! Isn’t it About Time?
Genre: Time Travel or Western
Character: Freddy or Fiona Brown, Poet
Prop: A Rubber Band
Dialogue: "You heard what she said."
Character: Freddy or Fiona Brown, Poet
Prop: A Rubber Band
Dialogue: "You heard what she said."
- Best Writing
- Best Sound Design
- Audience Choice, Group B
2016 – Paid in Full
Have you heard of micro episodes, the latest trend in binge-watching entertainment? No? Well, now’s your chance to experience what all the cool kids will be tweeting about. Don’t get left behind! Catch an entire season of “Paid in Full” in just a few action-packed minutes. You won’t have time to look away!
Genre: Adventure Serial
Character: Timothy or Tiffany Sporeka, Vice-President
Prop: A Photo of Mom
Dialogue: "I just can’t believe it." (or "I just cannot believe it.")
Character: Timothy or Tiffany Sporeka, Vice-President
Prop: A Photo of Mom
Dialogue: "I just can’t believe it." (or "I just cannot believe it.")
- Best Film
- Best Writing
- Best Use of Line of Dialogue
- Audience Choice, Group D
2015 – Making Adjustments
How does a retired professional wrestler adjust to life outside the ring? By cracking backs and taking names, of course! Watch Dr. Crunch and his faithful assistant, Ginger Snap, take on their greatest opponent yet—a new career.
Genre: Fish Out of Water
Character: Harold or Harriett Meyers, Doctor
Prop: A Broom
Dialogue: "How’s that supposed to help?"
Character: Harold or Harriett Meyers, Doctor
Prop: A Broom
Dialogue: "How’s that supposed to help?"
- Best Costumes
- Best Original Song
2014 – Commit
2013 – S.T.U.F.F.E.D.
Have you and your partner lost that spark? Does your sex life need a boost? How do you feel about stuffed animals? Let Coach Jim Davis guide you through his innovative and controversial “S.T.U.F.F.E.D.” method of relationship therapy. Learn new techniques that are sure to aid in your marital bliss and bring excitement and muscle cramps back to the bedroom.
Genre: Vacation or Holiday Film
Character: Jim or Jana Davis, Coach
Prop: A Stuffed Animal
Dialogue: "Let’s call it a day."
Character: Jim or Jana Davis, Coach
Prop: A Stuffed Animal
Dialogue: "Let’s call it a day."
- Audience Choice, Group A
- 2nd Runner-Up Best of City
2012 – Bow Ties for Everyone
What happens when a villain meets his match? More importantly, what happens when he loses his match? When Bowtie Black finally manages to defeat his greatest foe, Phil Phoenix, how will he cope with the loss? Find out in this week’s episode!
Genre: Adventure Serial
Character: Chris or Christina Samuels, Musician
Prop: A Coloring Book
Dialogue: "Let’s do it!"
Character: Chris or Christina Samuels, Musician
Prop: A Coloring Book
Dialogue: "Let’s do it!"
- Runner-Up Audience Choice, Group B
- Runner-Up Best Costumes
2011 – Clap
Follow the misadventures of Willie, a young man determined to experience intimacy with a woman at all costs. The moral of the story? Don’t be a Willie — use a condom. You’ll have so many problems if you don’t.
Genre: Musical/Western
Character: Kelly or Kelli McBride, Teacher
Prop: A Marshmallow
Dialogue: "Open the door."
Character: Kelly or Kelli McBride, Teacher
Prop: A Marshmallow
Dialogue: "Open the door."
- Overall Audience Choice
- Audience Choice, Group C
- Best Use of Line
2010 – Wishing Well
If you were granted unlimited wishes, what would you wish for? Money? Fame? Love? Hair? Whatever your wish, be sure you “wish well,” or risk flushing it all away.
Genre: Fantasy
Character: Carl or Carla Ross, Plumber
Prop: Coins
Dialogue: "Who came up with that?"
Character: Carl or Carla Ross, Plumber
Prop: Coins
Dialogue: "Who came up with that?"
- Runner-Up Audience Choice, Group B
2009 – Eagle Eye & Sonar
When a killer with a can opener is on the loose, your favorite mildly-impaired detectives are on the case. This is an investigation that you have to see—and hear—to believe!
Genre: Detective/Cop
Character: Greg or Gretta Calhoun, Architect
Prop: Can Opener
Dialogue: "I have three words for you."
Character: Greg or Gretta Calhoun, Architect
Prop: Can Opener
Dialogue: "I have three words for you."
- Audience Choice, Group A
- Producer’s Award
2008 – Swept Away
Sometimes love sucks. Sometimes that’s a good thing! One lonely man gets swept away by love and sucked into an unconventional relationship. Will he seek an extended warranty, or will things end in a breakdown?
Genre: Romance
Character: Alan or Arlene West, a door-to-door salesperson
Prop: Blue Painter’s Tape
Dialogue: "What’s it to you, pal?"
Character: Alan or Arlene West, a door-to-door salesperson
Prop: Blue Painter’s Tape
Dialogue: "What’s it to you, pal?"
- Audience Choice, Group C
2007 – Waffles with Betsy
Is Flag Day an official holiday? An unsuspecting guest staying at the Old Glory Bed and Breakfast on June 14th finds it may be the greatest holiday ever! Please rise for our National Anthem and give Flag Day the attention it deserves.
Genre: Holiday Film
Character: John or Juanita Shold, a Tourist
Prop: A business card
Dialogue: "If at first you don’t succeed… you know the rest"
Character: John or Juanita Shold, a Tourist
Prop: A business card
Dialogue: "If at first you don’t succeed… you know the rest"
- Runner-Up Audience Choice, Group B
- Runner-Up Best Use of Genre
2006 – The Good, the Bad, and the Hooty-Toot
A hard-drinking, gritty cowboy and a snobbish zookeeper come face-to-face in a Wild West showdown over a rare and beautiful creature. With extinction on the line, who will prevail?
Genre: Musical or Western
Character: Don or Dawn Dieter, Zoo Employee
Prop: A jar
Dialogue: "We really need to work this out."
Character: Don or Dawn Dieter, Zoo Employee
Prop: A jar
Dialogue: "We really need to work this out."
We didn’t win any awards for this one, but, hey, it was our first try at this crazy thing.