At MessageMakers, we get excited about the success our staffers find in their extracurricular pursuits. A large part of our staff loves video production, so video competitions tend to be a large part of that.

The East Lansing Film Festival Spring 48/5 Competition was this past weekend, and the two teams containing MessageMakers staff, Big Foot Films and Tell Stories, took first and second place, respectively.

What is the 48/5? Here's how the ELFF explains it:

For the East Lansing Film Festival 48/5 Film Contest, filmmakers come together to write, shoot, edit, and premiere an original five-minute film in a mere 48 hours. At the start of the contest, teams will be given the same three elements: a prop, a location and a line of dialogue. They must incorporate these elements into their finished film to be eligible for an award. To add to the challenge, each teams draws a genre; drama, thriller, comedy or action.

Both teams had the same elements to work with: a kazoo, a garden, the line "Be good, or be good at it" and the genre of drama.

Director Tim Whalen (MessageMakers senior graphic designer) explains, "I really enjoyed stepping behind the camera and working hand in hand with Rob Sumbler to create a visually cinematic look to this one. I really got to concentrate on directing action, shots and talent more than ever before. Meanwhile, we had the largest cast assembled yet and everyone's performance was top notch. The story is a slice of life that almost everyone can identify with, which results in a powerful story."

The Big Foot Films team plans to shoot more shorts over the summer as well as a longer piece for film premiere event "Cupcakes 2," founded by MessageMakers videographer Ian Busch.

Enjoy Spring 2011 48/5 winner "Iris" ... and feel free to follow Big Foot Films' blog, Facebook, or Twitter.