The inaugural One Second Film Festival at TCU challenges students to find out how much can be done and filmed in one second. 

"Students typically respond to the assignment with laughter at first,” said Nick Bontrager, an assistant professor of art.

When Bontrager first used the idea of a one second video as an assignment he said the students assumed it was going to be easy.

“In the end, this is one of the hardest assignments for them only because they are forced to make such a short video,” Bontrager said. 

He said the challenge of making the videos started as an assignment for his new media video art class and has grown into the festival.

Sarah Rose, a junior engineering major said she is enjoying the opportunity to learn the other side of putting on a festival, with judging the videos sent in with her classmates.   

Rose said one of the videos she turned in for class was one with her friend just opening a newspaper and looking at the camera. 

“It was just a beautiful moment of time that doesn't need a back story or an explanation,” she said.

Lauren Zimmerman, a senior in the new media art class, said it is surprising how much can fit into one second.

“You get to see things you normally wouldn’t even notice if it was in a longer video," she said. 

Bontrager and his new media video art class students have developed the idea to create a One Second Film Festival. Students can send in one-second videos until Nov. 20 and win prizes.

“Some of the best results of creativity come from strict boundaries,” Rose said.  “I’m looking forward to seeing how the participants respond to the time limitation.”

The competition is open to all students and professors and will be judged by the new media video art class students. 

To enter, send your one-second film to [email protected]

TCU promo for One Second Film Festival 2012 from Nick Bontrager on Vimeo.