TimeFest Official Rules

[Barry_Green]

http://www.landmine9.com/openads_images/1204043625.jpg

DVXUSER.COM PRESENTS TIMEFEST

The theme of this DVXFest is Time. Time should be an integral theme that runs through each film, but filmmakers are allowed to choose their own genres. A few examples are-- films where the central character is racing against time to complete a vital task, films that explicitly manipulate time through editing and storyline such that time is a central theme, time travel, films that deal with the cause and effect of time's influence. The theme should allow filmmakers a lot of lattitude with respect to genre, but the theme should still be clear. Good luck to all the filmmakers and we look forward to your entries!


Rules

The festival category is a short film with the theme of TIME. Films can be in any genre as long as the theme is TIME. If you have any questions about whether your film conforms to the theme please ask.
All films must be no longer than 6 (six) minutes and 2 seconds (6:02) TOTAL. INCLUDING ANY CREDITS. [the new 2 seconds are for the mandatory acknowledgement of DVXuser]
The following elements must be included.

Film Title (any format and can appear anywhere in the film),
A clear, at least two second, acknowledgment of DVXuser at the end of the film, before or after the credits. (thank you DVXuser ... Made for DVXuser Time Fest .... DVXuser Rocks! ... etc.)
Any credits other than your title and the acknowledgment of DVXuser are optional but may not exceed a maximum of 15 seconds. If you don't have time for credits, you can put them in your film's thread.


REQUIRED ELEMENT: All films must CLEARLY include a CLOCK, WATCH, TIMER, or SUN DIAL in at least one scene. Guys--don't be too subtle here--we want to see a clearly visible clock or watch. At the time of upload you will be required to point out where in the film the element appears for one occurrence via time code.
All cameras are eligible to participate and for prizes.
Content must be "R" rated or lower. If you are unsure; ASK.
No copyright violations, you *must* use licensed or royalty-free music.
All filmmakers agree to grant DVXuser.com and its agents non-exclusive rights for their films to appear on a DVD or for DVXuser-sanctioned public screenings. Deliverables must be provided as an h.264 compressed file (either .mov or .mp4) with a maximum size of 50 MB. Letter boxed submissions are OK, but not preferred as they negatively impact compression quality. Uploading website will be announced in the future.
Contest open to every country and films may be in any language. Non-English films must have English subtitles.
All films must be made between February 26th, 2008 and June 16th, 2008 and must not have been publicly screened prior to the start of viewing. The entry deadline is 11:00am Pacific Time on June 16th, 2008 The upload system is not yet open; we will announce when uploading is open. Films will be listed for viewing in the order received.
Films may only be promoted on DVXuser.com before screening and no actual footage may be screened prior to the DVXuser screening. Behind the scenes photos & video is OK. Still images (frame grabs) from the actual film are OK as well.
No promotion on external web sites is allowed until after the screening has been completed.
Films may be entered in other festivals as long as they aren’t screened prior to June 16th, 2008.
Users may enter their film anonymously, but must clear this with us before they post their film thread in the this forum.
All films will be prescreened by DVXFest staff for compliance with festival rules. Entries that aren't approved will be notified by a moderator and may be re-submitted with corrections up until the deadline. The festival moderators have sole and final say, on a case by case basis if necessary.
No entry fee.
You may enter up to two films as the primary filmmaker. There is no limitation to how many films you may work on.
Prizes, if any, will be announced.
Again, to enter, just submit your film by 11:00am Pacific Time on June 16th, 2008. Uploading details will be announced in the near future. And once again, Films will be listed for viewing in the order received.

[Bernie Hipos]

woohoo!!! it's TIME to make a movie...

[thematthewbone]

this is one of the most promising fest premises yet.

i am excited to see what happens...

[Rick V]

I have waited for months for this! Now i have something to look forward to :)

[Edgen]

It's Oooooonnnnnn.

and go.

/j

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Make sure everyone reads the rules carefully.

There are some key changes.
Like a DAY TIME upload deadline.
Optional credits and an extra two seconds for the mandatory 2 second acknowledgement of DVXuser.
Films presented in the order uploaded.

[Goldmond]

Wow, this is WIIIIIIDE open! Very cool...

[HVXOU]

Not sure if this is the place to ask questions, but, is there a certain level of user you must be in order to submit a film? I know you needed 100 or more posts in order to vote for LoveFest, and was wondering if you needed a certain number of posts to be a filmmaker.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Anyone with any camera can enter.
You have to be a member to enter, but you could join the day you upload.

[Alex Jeffery]

Okay, this is great and all, but when IS bananafest coming?

Because that is by far the coolest credit ever.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

lol, I forgot we left that in there ... maybe we should change it to the Time Fest, because Como will probably take it literally and put that at the end of his movie :)

[Derrick_SA]

Man, 4 months to deadline, I REALLY hope I get something developed for this fest!

- Derrick

[Moojangles]

Read the rules just want to make sure that all submissions must be 16:9, correct?


also question: would using old footage i have shot in the past for a dream sequence be against the rules? I assume it would but just thought i'd ask :)

[Gohanto]

All films must be no longer than 6 (six) minutes and 2 seconds (6:02) TOTAL. INCLUDING ANY CREDITS. [the new 2 seconds are for the mandatory acknowledgement of DVXuser]

And everyone said they wouldn't expand on the 6 minute time limit.

[J.R. Hudson]

We're full of surprises.

[Ted Arabian]

Awesome news! Thanks Barry!!! This really sounds like it will produce an interesting collection of films. I am very excited to both work on an entry and to watch (ding..ding..ding..) the collective work. Very cool.

Good luck to everyone on their projects.

Thank you to the ENTIRE FESTIVAL MOD SQUAD for improving and enhancing these festivals.

Awesome news!

-Ted

[Kdawg]

Sounds exciting. Cover me, I'm going in. I would like to see some kind of thread or post concerning upload compression. And any extra help in that area would be great. Maybe this time with mpeg4 and other options it will be eaiser.(I haven't made much for the web myself) I just remember my entry in Horrorfest was a pain in the arse trying this... trying that... aspect ratio getting screwie and all.

[Luis Caffesse]

Read the rules just want to make sure that all submissions must be 16:9, correct?

Submissions must be 16:9 or wider.


Deliverables must be formatted as widescreen 16:9 or 2:35 (or wider) aspect ratio and provided as an h.264 compressed file (either .mov or .mp4) with a maximum size of 50 MB. Letter boxed submissions are OK, but not preferred as they negatively impact compression quality.

[Charlie Anderson]

Hmmm would the effect of using slowmotion and fast motion signify a use of time? Say in like a fight or a scene where's there's fast motion and slowmotion in the same shot.

[Barry_Green]

Hmmm would the effect of using slowmotion and fast motion signify a use of time? Say in like a fight or a scene where's there's fast motion and slowmotion in the same shot.
The THEME of the film is time. Just using a gimmick does not satisfy the theme.

Just as in LoveFest the driving theme behind the film was "love". You couldn't satisfy that requirement by just having somebody answer a phone call and end it with "love you, bye." That wouldn't fly. Nor can you satisfy the theme of time by just including a slow-mo shot.

The film must be about "time" in some way, as a central theme.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

The film must be about "time" in some way, as a central theme.
Not to be picky... but does a film simply set in the future qualify? I would think it would need more.
Just curious...


Mike

[Matt Harris]

Great concept guys, i'm excited.
I may even make 2 films if i don't procrastinate this time.

[J.R. Hudson]

Time must be the theme.

I think being set in the future or past is not inherently a theme of time; unless travelling there.

[Ramon Boutviseth]

I'm excited!

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Time must be the theme.

I think being set in the future or past is not inherently a theme of time; unless travelling there.Yes, I figured as much. Just wanted to be sure. :thumbup:

Thanks,

Mike

[Barry_Green]

Guys -- we've been getting a lot of questions here and in PM's. Remember, in big bold letters at the top of the "rules" post it says:

Time should be an integral theme that runs through each film, but filmmakers are allowed to choose their own genres. A few examples are-- films where the central character is racing against time to complete a vital task, films that explicitly manipulate time through editing and storyline such that time is a central theme, time travel, films that deal with the cause and effect of time's influence.

The film must be "about" time. It must deal with time as its central theme. It cannot just be some incidental element. For example, a "coming of age" film would not qualify -- yes, coming of age takes time, but then again so does everything else. So did reading this post, for that matter -- obviously you couldn't make a "timefest" film about reading posts on DVXUser, right?

So embrace the theme. Make it about "time". As Barry_S said, a race against time, or time travel, or an out-of-sequence film that manipulates time such as "memento" or a film that deals with time's influence, maybe something like "the portrait of Dorian Gray"... point is, if your idea isn't explicitly and inherently dealing with time as a central and primary element, then you should go back to the drawing board and come up with one that does.

Here's a way I explained it to someone else: we just had LoveFest, and the central theme was "love". The film had to be about love, exploring the concept and theme of love inherently. You couldn't satisfy that requirement by making a movie about a basketball-playing chimpanzee where a guy in the audience yells out "I love this chimp!" Sorry, that wouldn't float, whereas a film like 6" 45RPM EP, or "Remember When" or "Where The Heart Lies" or "Winter Lilacs" -- those all dealt inherently with the theme of love.

So no, you gotta do better than to just take any old film idea and then slap on a scene of a character looking at his watch. :) That's not gonna fly. Time cannot be a cheap bandaid on the film, it must be the core central theme. The film has to be developed around the theme and concept of time and integrate it inherently.

Does that help clarify?

[Matthew R. Rodwell]

I think this is going to be the best fest yet, so much opportunity for a great variety.

[Charlie Anderson]

There's a specific reason why I asked my question, I'll send you a PM Barry

[HVXOU]

Anyone with any camera can enter.
You have to be a member to enter, but you could join the day you upload.

Great Thanks!

[Peter Murphy]

The THEME of the film is time. Just using a gimmick does not satisfy the theme.

Just as in LoveFest the driving theme behind the film was "love". You couldn't satisfy that requirement by just having somebody answer a phone call and end it with "love you, bye." That wouldn't fly. Nor can you satisfy the theme of time by just including a slow-mo shot.

The film must be about "time" in some way, as a central theme.


So what you are saying is, if I make a movie and throw in a phone call with a funny quip about how the main character is going to be late, UNLESS he can travel through time! Then continue making the film about a pre-school musical, that is basically what you are looking for right? Good to know, I was worried for a minute that I would have to rework my idea.

[mhawn2]

I love this idea

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

haha, hey Peter good to see you around :beer:


So what you are saying is, if I make a movie and throw in a phone call with a funny quip about how the main character is going to be late, UNLESS he can travel through time! Then continue making the film about a pre-school musical, that is basically what you are looking for right? Good to know, I was worried for a minute that I would have to rework my idea.

... in case anyone in the class is confused ... this is what we call "sarcasm (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sarcasm)" (sär'kāz'əm) :)

[ramsaur]

I'm actually doing this one since for sure now.

[Captain Pierce]

OK, this is probably a stupid question, particularly since the Fests got opened up to all cameras, but I seem to recall that at one point the uploads had to be native 24p. Is that no longer a requirement? I mean, assuming I can actually pull off the whole "making a movie" thing, I have access to a DVX (unless this one gets stolen too :( ), but in all honesty I don't have any editing software that can handle actual 24pA, so is it OK to shoot 24p and upload it in 60i?

[tmnt]

I don't think the vids ever had to be 24p, just widescreen.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

No back in the day they had to be 24p. Though I don't know if it had to be 24pA vs. 24p. Lemme check now that things are open to call cameras exactly what the dealio is....

[Tom Marshall]

Great theme, Barry... fits in nicely with Futurefest... :beer:

[Mike@AF]

"You may enter up to two films as the primary filmmaker. There is no limitation to how many films you may work on."

This may seem like a dumb question, but what constitutes primary filmmaker? Director or Producer? I ask because we actually have 3 films we could make and as an example in the Oscars the Producer gets the award for Best Picture, not the Director. So if I co-write, direct, and produce 2 of them, and then write and direct a 3rd that someone else produces, or different people produce all 3, how does that place with this rule?

[Zak Forsman]

are you actually going to make three shorts between now and june 16th? that could answer your question right there.

[Dustin R. Rogan]

"You may enter up to two films as the primary filmmaker. There is no limitation to how many films you may work on."

This may seem like a dumb question, but what constitutes primary filmmaker? Director or Producer? I ask because we actually have 3 films we could make and as an example in the Oscars the Producer gets the award for Best Picture, not the Director. So if I co-write, direct, and produce 2 of them, and then write and direct a 3rd that someone else produces, or different people produce all 3, how does that place with this rule?

yes this is a good question, because the three of us from Waco are all working together but each is writing/directing seperatly. that counts as 1 each not 3 each correct?

[mikkowilson]

"Primary Filmmaker" is the person who uploads & takes credit & responsibilty [& ownership] for the entry.


So if Jack and I together make 3 movies. Two can be mine, and the third will then be the winning entry. :laugh:

- Mikko

[Paraheadache]

So embrace the theme. Make it about "time". As Barry_S said, a race against time, or time travel, or an out-of-sequence film that manipulates time such as "memento" or a film that deals with time's influence, maybe something like "the portrait of Dorian Gray"...

This looks like fun! I'm gonna go watch Lola Rennt (Run Lola Run) now. :thumbsup:

[Dustin R. Rogan]

"Primary Filmmaker" is the person who uploads & takes credit & responsibilty [& ownership] for the entry.


So if Jack and I together make 3 movies. Two can be mine, and the third will then be the winning entry. :laugh:

- Mikko
hehe and we'll be in dead last... :nads:

[Mike@AF]

are you actually going to make three shorts between now and june 16th? that could answer your question right there.


Well, the deadline is 3 and a half months from now so sure, why not? 2 definitely. This 3rd one is a rollover from All Hallows that we didn't do. We can also wait for another fest later in the year and see if it works for that.

The question is really more about whether or not we can get the locations and actors we'll need. Also, the stories are pre-existing scripts that all deal with time, but we have to adapt shorts from the feature scripts. If we get the scripts done next week there's no reason why we couldn't get all 3 done.

[Mike@AF]

"Primary Filmmaker" is the person who uploads & takes credit & responsibilty [& ownership] for the entry.


So if Jack and I together make 3 movies. Two can be mine, and the third will then be the winning entry. :laugh:

- Mikko

That works for us. The original idea for one of the three was his anyway.

[Kholi]

Get it done, Mike!

It's cool to know that there's a possibility of actually directing two shorts and being able to submit for the fest.

Lookin' forward to what everyone cooks up for this one. LONG deadline should equate to even better shorts this time around.

[Mark T. Aro]

Instead of a clock, can we use an Hourglass. I assume yes, since it appears to still fall under the time constraints, but I just wanted to check.

[mikkowilson]

Yes, an hourglass is ok.


- Mikko

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

As long as the hourglass is an actual hourglass.

And not this:
http://frenchquarterfeatures.com/sophia_loren_4.jpg
Though we appreciate entries which feature both, only an actual time measuring device is required :)

[Gohanto]

How about an hourglass figure holding an hourglass?

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

I think we should just go ahead and award you first place now. We can call of the contest and save everyone some time :D

[jmc]

Her pose was too perfect. I couldn't resist.
http://www.mcclureart.com/photos/sophia_loren_hourglass.jpg
:cheesy:

[Mark T. Aro]

I couldn't help either...

Or an hourglass figure in an hourglass....

Okay... it's not as funny as it was earlier.... time to go home!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/24348/1204331517.jpg

[abalex]

So let me see if I got it right, let's say my movie is about the future, do I supposed to have something that shows what year is it? like text or something saying the year? and showing a clock , watch, or something related?

would this be ok?

help
gv.

[Mike@AF]

I don't think it can just take place in the future. I think you would need to have an element in there explaining how something in the past got to that point in the future or affected that future.... as an example. There's many ways you can make it work of course. If you have a specific question I imagine you can PM a mod with your basic idea and he can tell you if it qualifies.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

So let me see if I got it right, let's say my movie is about the future, do I supposed to have something that shows what year is it? like text or something saying the year? and showing a clock , watch, or something related?

would this be ok?

help
gv.

You don't have to have something that shows what year it is. An hourglass or a sundial wouldn't do that, and no where does it say your clock has to be working.

But .... as per filmmaker's post lets be clear ...


I don't think it can just take place in the future. I think you would need to have an element in there explaining how something in the past got to that point in the future or affected that future.... as an example. There's many ways you can make it work of course. If you have a specific question I imagine you can PM a mod with your basic idea and he can tell you if it qualifies.

Exactly. Just setting your movie in the FUTURE or PAST does NOT qualify it for time fest than just setting it in the PRESENT.

Not that that's what you have in mind, but just so everyone is on the same page.

For example. Star Trek wouldn't qualify just because it's in the future, and neither would Lonesome Dove just because it's in the past. A Star Trek or Lonesome Dove where the film specifically deals with time ... it's effect, etc. would.

[Neil Rowe]

OK, OK, OK. just to be VERY VERY VERY clear on what making a movie about time means..


SIMPLY SETTING YOUR FILM IN A DIFFERENT TIME PERIOD DOES NOT QUALIFY AS THE FILM ACTUALLY BEING ABOUT TIME.

If you could just do that then why couldnt you just make a film set in this time period .. 2008. and its a film about a teen who's addicted to world of warcraft and facebook or something. ..this is why simply setting your film in ANY time period does not qualify as the film being about time. .. so again.. setting your film IN a certain time doesn not mean the film is ABOUT time. those are two different things.

IN ORDER FOR A FILM TO QUALIFY AS ACTUALLY BEING ABOUT TIME, THE FILM MUST ACTUALLY DEAL WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER OF TIME.

If someone told you the film was supposed to be about boats .. it wouldnt be enough to simply make a horror film about a rabid gerbil that wants to find a way to forget his childhood .. oh and by the way.. it all takes place on a sailboat. ..the film wouldnt be ABOUT the sailboat just because theres a sail boat in it. it would still be ABOUT a rabid gerbil who want to forget his childhood. so dont just set your film IN a time.. make it ABOUT time itself. playing your movie in reverse or slow motion doesnt make the film about time either. fast then slow and reverse and whatever in a film about the same gerbil is still a film about a gerbil. Simply put you can make your film contain whatever material you want, AS LONG AS THE FOCUS IS ACTUALLY ON SOMETHING TIME RELATED< AND IT IS GLARINGLY OBVIOUS THAT TIME IS A MAJOR FOCUS OF STORY IN THE FILM ...NOT JUST A THEME .. AN ACTUAL MAIN ELEMENT IN THE STORY THAT IS AS IF IT IS A CHARACHTER IN AND OF ITSELF. I would suggest thinking about time and what it is and does, and could potentially do, and narrow down till you have one aspect of time you find interesting enought o make a film about, and then build your story around that aspect of time. I woudl suggest NOT just trying to stick something about time into a story about something else. the possibilities are endless:

not enough time
race against time
too much time passed
routine times in a day
comparision of this time to that
imagining another time
learning to tell the time
timing an athlete, or machine
orchestrating an event where timing is critical
once in a life time moment in time
times up
existance of time
the relativety of time / how time is percieved
the persistance of time
no time to spare
..yes .. time travel too

and the lsit could go on and on and on.. the important thing to notice is that all of these films would be ABOUT time.. and as you see. TIME itself is actually written in and a central focus of each of these ideas. and as long as it also makes it through to be a central and integral main focus of the film made from the idea. the film should qualify as being ABOUT time.

and just because ireally dont want anyone to say they didnt understand im going to slightly rephrase it again.. making a movie with something IN it does not necessarily make the movie ABOUT that thing. if i stick a logo in the bottom right corner of every scene of "Jurassic Park", it doesnt change the film to all of a sudden be about logos. so when you need to make a film ABOUT time.. simply make it ABOUT time. dont try to skirt it. TIME has to be the underlying and overall central focus of the film in some form.. TIME should be the charachter and/or force that moves the story forward and/or plays a major part in the outcome or events that traspire ..even if its completely unseen in a physical manner ....such as a dazzeling ball of morphaliscious energy when somenone rips through a black hole and goes back 3.1764536 years to the exact moment he was about to forget to take his new jock strap to the high school scocial club swap meet and dance off.

..in fact. the idea of time travel alone doesnt even make a film about time.. what if my protagonist travels back in time in the very beginning of the film, and then spends the rest of the film trying to win back his college sweet heart. ..its not a film about time.. its a film about a guy trying to win back his college sweetheart. ..and it just so happens that he went back in time to do it. I would ask.. how was time a factor in this film? could the same film exist without him traveling back in time.. yes. how does time affect or move the story forward? ..it doesnt. what role does time play in the outcome? none. theres no point in making him go back to do it other than to say "look" he time traveled .. so its about time.. and then ...i would have to have my trained chipmunk slap that person who just said that. this is why if anyone is having a hard time understanding, i think they need to think of an idea thats about time first .. and build your charachters around it, and not the other way around.

so.. film about bananas.
DO NOT just put bananas in the background, set your film on a banana boat, show a banana at the end, have the charachters say "banana" every other line, CC your film yellow, have a main charachter named "banana". or anything else that is simply a gimmick whih places bananas into the film. bananas are not the secret ingredient that have to show up at some point in the short. the film actually has to be entirely about the subject of the bananas themselves. how much you love them.. how much you hate them. how yellow they are. but focus on the bananas. and write a story around that focus..

..on bananas.

[abalex]

thanks guys, I think it's very clear now...a short ABOUT time...yes, yes...

g.

[Barry_Green]

Everyone should remember that the theme is not just a band-aid. I think that's where people may be getting stuck. Like the required object of a camera in LoveFest -- people wanted to know if they could just stick a camera on a table in the corner of one shot, and would that qualify? Yes. But would that qualify for a THEME? No. The film must be about time somehow, in order to satisfy the theme of time -- just like all the LoveFest films had to be about love.

We had people concerned that all the LoveFest films would be "romantic comedies." And now we have people thinking that the TimeFest films should all be about time travel. No. The idea of the films being about time travel is, to me, the same thing as the romantic comedy was to LoveFest -- it's the low-hanging fruit, the first idea that pops into your head. But I think we had no more than maybe two or three RomComs in all the 50 entries of LoveFest, right? So we may only have two or three time travel movies; hopefully you folks will reach deeper and come up with more than just grabbing the low-hanging fruit.

Explore the theme, have fun with the theme, stretch your minds. But don't ignore the theme or think that there's a way to cheat the theme. The theme is the common element for this fest.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Here's some films the mods have thrown around as Theme Appropriate in some way:

Memento
Run Lola Run
Dorian Gray
24 type thing
Ticking bomb somehere
That movie where a guy and a girl wrote love letters to each other even though they were in different times
Time Machine
Back to the Future
Time Cop
Donnie DarkoThe last 4 are time travel movies, what we're thinking of as low hanging fruit for the fest, but they ARE allowed. Donnie Darko for example would be anything but low hanging fruit. It has time travel as an element but very actively explores the theme of time.

[bosindy]

I can confirm that my timefest film has nothing to do with time travel. But it definitely is a romantic comedy.

[Barry_Green]

That movie where a guy and a girl wrote love letters to each other even though they were in different times
"The Lake House."

"Terminator" would qualify. As would "Somewhere In Time". And MattInSTL has listed off something like 20 different ideas (so far) in a thread.

Point is, there are lots and lots of ideas. This may be the richest theme yet. If you're not sure whether your theme would qualify, keep digging. There's a long, long time to go before the deadline! Keep working it, keep thinking, keep digging deeper. Surprise us. :thumbsup:

[Neil Rowe]

"deja vu" was a nice little time integral film. as well as "next" which wasnt nearly as nice, but was certainly time based. and "Garfiled: a tale of two kitties" was likely the most atrocious film ive had the misfortune of seeing this decade ..but your kids will like it .. and cooincidentally , it was actually not time based.

[Zak Forsman]

That movie where a guy and a girl wrote love letters to each other even though they were in different times.
you talking about that korean film? Il Mare?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/73/Ilmare_ccc.jpg/200px-Ilmare_ccc.jpg

[Mike@AF]

you talking about that korean film? Il Mare?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/73/Ilmare_ccc.jpg/200px-Ilmare_ccc.jpg

I think he's referring to that Keanu Reeves/Sandra Bullock movie "The Lake House". But that could also be adapted from the Korean movie you mention because originality is completely unknown to Hollywood these days.

[ramsaur]

I would really like to shoot in 24p but I'm awaiting some cash so I can buy one. I'm kinda not into HD anymore. Hopefully I'll have one by then to make it.

[Ki-Ki]

Reguarding the R rating.

Is slitting of the neck & stabbing okay? Sweeney Todd was an 18. British rating at least.

Edit - Also no 15-20 second trailers for your film? If its using footage thats not in the final cut of your film. Theres no chance on that this time right?

Double Edit - I loved NEXT & Deja Vou, was disapointed with the ending of next though.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Reguarding the R rating.

Is slitting of the neck & stabbing okay? Sweeney Todd was an 18. British rating at least.

Yes. See REKINDLED in my sig. It has both of those elements plus some nudity.


Edit - Also no 15-20 second trailers for your film? If its using footage thats not in the final cut of your film. Theres no chance on that this time right?
How would it be a trailer if it had no footage from the film?


Double Edit - I loved NEXT & Deja Vou, was disapointed with the ending of next though.
Deja Vu is simply one of the finest films ever produced in the history of Cinema. Denzel was good but The Criminalist (http://imdb.com/name/nm2292425/) in particular was brilliant. :shocked:

[Drew Ott]

Deja Vu is simply one of the finest films ever produced in the history of Cinema. Denzel was good but The Criminalist (http://imdb.com/name/nm2292425/) in particular was brilliant. :shocked:

:grin::thumbsup:

[Ki-Ki]

You were in Deja Vu? Damn i'm gonna have to watch that again now. I practically peed on the person in front of me at the ending of the film. Was great. The start of it was eery, turned my stomache. Grand stuff.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Ki-Ki http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?p=1209759#post1209759)
Edit - Also no 15-20 second trailers for your film? If its using footage thats not in the final cut of your film. Theres no chance on that this time right?

How would it be a trailer if it had no footage from the film?



Well, some kind of visual ..video advertisement of the film. Guess it wouldnt be a trailer. Think it would be fun though, but there was a discussion on it before I think.

[Luis Caffesse]

I practically peed on the person in front of me at the ending of the film.

And my wife wonders why I don't like going to the theater.
:)

[cinematical]

I love this theme. Time is such an interesting concept.

[Ki-Ki]

Seems I dont know any of you people. Tsk tsk. How can you not like burning your ears for 2 hours sitting in a lovely seat in front of a giant television?

And at the very end of this post, i realised that it was probably a joke. Lovely. Still posting. =]


Edit - Aye thats true, cant we just stick to this fest 24/7?

[Zak Forsman]

I think he's referring to that Keanu Reeves/Sandra Bullock movie "The Lake House". But that could also be adapted from the Korean movie you mention because originality is completely unknown to Hollywood these days.
yeah, i looked it up. The Lake House was a remake of Il Mare.

[Neil Rowe]

I think he's referring to that Keanu Reeves/Sandra Bullock movie "The Lake House". But that could also be adapted from the Korean movie you mention because originality is completely unknown to Hollywood these days.


..it is very few and far between. i did appreciate in large part to it being very fresh and original that "no country for old men" took best picture this year. It was a very drastically different experience to see as comparerd to the same old junk that keeps coming around the carousel with oh ..wait.. whats this? ! a different actor playing the same basic role in the same basic film plot as the last 34 films in this genre to come out? ..WOW! its so fresh and new that i dont know what im going to do with myself!! what will they think of next!? maybe they could remake "the lord of the rings" trilogy but put it in the future and make frodo into a robot.. YESSSSS! they can call it "the lord of the springs: a completely original film that will blow your mind" ..ooh i can taste the oscars now!

[maestro1d]

Well all I can say about this fest is it's about time!

:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Tick tick. Sigh.

The theme of the next fest could be how to stop taking a bunch o low paying film gigs long enough to have some fun and enter one of these cool a&& DVX fests some time.

I just GOTTA do this fest though

.... to paraphrase Rutger Hauer in Blade Runner...
time... to try.

Anyone know if Jack Stanley is down on this action? I'd like to have a chance at the other prize is all I'm sayin... he can keep the red camera or whatever and I'll take the toaster. :beer:

(props and hey there Jack)

[Dougyfresh13]

i want to enter this fest but i also have a final project in my film production class at school that might possibly get chosen to be entered in a school-wide festival if that were to happen would i be able to enter it in TIMEfest. to make it clearer i want to enter a film that i am going to make for class into this festival because this fest inspired the idea and if my teacher likes it he could select it to be in this end of the year festival we have at my school would i be able to enter both or just one? thanks in advance for the help.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

It can be entered in the End of Year Fest at your school so long as it doesn't screen in that fest before June 16.

If it screens in the end of year fest at your school prior to that you can probably still enter it here as a non-competition film. A lot of people will still see it and you will get a lot of feedback, but you will not be eligible to win or receive prizes if that's the case.





Films may be entered in other festivals as long as they aren’t screened prior to June 16th, 2008.

[mikkowilson]

You can do anything you want with your film, once DVXuser's TimeFest viewing is open.

If your school's festival/public screeneings is/are before viewing opens, then you wouldn't be eligable for DVXuser TimeFest prizes.


EDIT: JDS beat me to it.


- Mikko

[Dougyfresh13]

ok thanks a lot id rather enter this fest but if my film gets selected i cant say no. so i guess we will. thanks again.

[D_DUB]

Ahhhh Yeah! I'm ready for this one!

[Ki-Ki]

I've got alot of extra's on my film, is it ok if i set up a small forum with information, Q&A's etc on it? won't be advertising the film, more assisting the background artists with information. How to get to the set, transport, information on food options, filming times, etc. If not i'm sure we'll find another way.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

People often have password protected or non published sites strictly for their company members, i.e. collaborators on their movie. You know, for latest script updates, visual research, downloads, schedules, etc.

My advice, password protect the page if you can and put a big disclaimer at the top telling your collaborators not to link anyone to the site as doing so could be considered promotion and could get the film disqualified.

[Ki-Ki]

Alright, thanks Jack. :)

[pgarcia0]

Could I participate with a music video?

Thanks,
pAco

[Brian Parker]

I've got a quick question for you guys about Time Fest. I'm shooting some of the sequences on an XH A1 but I'm planning on some of it being 3D animated so the whole film will not be shot with a camera. Is that ok?

Thanks. :thumbsup:

[Barry_Green]

Yes.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Could I participate with a music video?

Thanks,
pAco
As long as it meets the requirements in the rules you can do a Music Video, Musical, Experimental, Video Art Piece, etc.

[armisiano]

Random comment here, but I'm glad to see there's no restrictions set on aspect ratio this time around. Reading up on rules from previous dvxfests and thought that was so silly, only allowing 16:9 or 2.35:1. I mean look at how many of (for example) Kubrick's films were shot and framed at 1.37:1 (nearly the same as 4:3, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, The Shining, and others) or 2.20:1 (2001: A Space Odyssey). Or hell, a general staple to the motion picture industry, 1.85:1 (nearly 16:9, but a little bit tighter). So anyway, that's all, rant over. I'm just glad to see that that restriction no longer applies, as it was, in my opinion, quite stupid.

[pmark23]

A question about promotion:


Films may only be promoted on DVXuser.com before screening and no actual footage may be screened prior to the DVXuser screening. Behind the scenes photos & video is OK. Still images (frame grabs) from the actual film are OK as well.

No promotion on external web sites is allowed until after the screening has been completed.


What happens if our promotional footage orginally posted here gets cross-posted somewhere else, or (God forbid) You-tubed?

DVXUser doesn't host posted pictures or video, so by definition anything posted to DVXUser is hosted off-site and only linked to DVXUser. It can easily be linked anywhere else without the owner's knowing until it's too late.

I ask because I'm making a trailer (without using original footage), and don't want to be disqualified because some idiot hotlinked it.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

The rules say "not promoted" outside DVXuser, it doesn't say "not hosted" outside user ... big difference.

If I put a BTS clip on my sever and not on my website, and link from DVXuser then that's hosting not promoting. If I put a link to the clip on my website, then that's promoting.

And yes DVXuser does host images and video. Check out the "member upload center" . It's great for images. Though not so great for video because I think the limit on each file size is only host 10mb, so yes you can do very short video clips but that's it. You can do tons of pictures though.

If you need video hosting use something like Vimeo which you can password protect and not make available to the public. Vimeo quality is excellent and way better than youtube. Just put the password for the clip in your post AND make sure you select the private option on vimeo.

Now in the highly unlikely (as in it's never happened for about 600 films) event that your clip "winds up" on youtube ... well that would suck.

[pmark23]

My "Member Upload Center" says I don't have permission for it, so I will have to host the clip off-site (on my own server). And if that's done there's no way to stop someone from linking to it from another site once there's a link to it on DVXUser. (Hosting it from DVXUser would be perfect, because hotlinking can easily be prevented).

Saying that it's-never-happened-before-so-don't-worry-about-it worries me.

I'll send a PM when the clip is ready so you can judge for yourself if you think there will be a problem.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

This is a glitch with our server from some upgrade or move or something.

Your problem has been forwarded to Jason who can actually fix it (I do not have that mojo).

And again, we've premiered about 600 films and no one has ever had the youtube type issue that you are referring to.

I've hosted BTS on my server for my own films, so has everyone else. Never been a problem. We'll look into it and proceed accordingly if someone deliberately tries to sabotage your film by placing your BTS clips on youtube without your permission. But again. 5 or 600 films and never happened. Then again first time for everything. Especially since we've posted about it 4 times now, potentially putting the idea into people's heads to do it :eek:

[TwistedLincoln]

This is a glitch with our server from some upgrade or move or something.


If it helps in the diagnosis process, I have had this same "permission denied" error for quite some time as well. A year or so ago I PM'd Jarred, who fixed it for me, but as soon as I updated my profile to change my signature, it went back to "permission denied."

I don't really care either way, as I typically just use my own server for hosting, but figured I should post what I know in case it helps.

[BolexH16]

...rules from previous dvxfests and thought that was so silly, only allowing 16:9 or 2.35:1. I mean look at how many of (for example) Kubrick's films were shot and framed at 1.37:1 (nearly the same as 4:3, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, The Shining, and others) or 2.20:1 (2001: A Space Odyssey). Or hell, a general staple to the motion picture industry, 1.85:1 (nearly 16:9, but a little bit tighter). So anyway, that's all, rant over. I'm just glad to see that that restriction no longer applies, as it was, in my opinion, quite stupid.

The original aspect ratio stipulation was to ensure that should the entries eventually end up on a compilation DVD, there would be a consistency to the whole project. Ie: The whole DVD could be 16:9.

Going back to Kubrick's aspect ratios, there is a massive debate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Kubrick#Aspect_ratio) as to what his actual intended aspect ratios were supposed to be for the above mentioned films, The Shining in particular.

To say that restricting filmmakers to specific aspect ratios is stupid is quite an overstatement. Working within a limitation of any kind forces the artist to be more creative. Its not a big deal in the grand scheme of this fest, but it's good for filmmakers to learn to work within a given limitation. This is especially true if they intend to go further in the industry where even more limitations will be "imposed" upon them.

[Moog]

Hellooooo folks.

I have another quick question for the mod bods.
I'm sitting here writing my script for what will (hopefully) be my first 'fest entry. And I just want to confirm that the 'R' rating you specify will allow for a little 'conversational' swearing.

I'm not going too over the top, it's not gonna be nasty or aggressive, just you know. Life.

I just ask because in all the films I've watched from thefests, I don't remember any with naughty words. Am I just a potty mouth??

How's that sit with ya ?


cheers
moog

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

I don't know which entries you've been watching... :)
But we had one that was titled I F*CKING HATE YOU last fest.
And we've had plenty of cursing and some nudity and some violence and gore.
Yes. "R"

[Moog]

oh yeah - good point.
I must have blocked them all out because they were so naughty.

oh... hang on.

;)

[Mark Johnson]

I just ask because in all the films I've watched from thefests, I don't remember any with naughty words. Am I just a potty mouth?? ...
moog

Our film "Where The Heart Lies" included a lot of "f*ck"s and a few "you piece of sh*t"s and the like. One member opined that our swearing was a device used by "lazy" writers but in reality it's just the way we talk and the way most of the people we interact with talk. You can feel free to be as "real" as you like without worry here.

[Jason Ramsey]

Regarding the "permission denied" or other similar issues that some folks may be having with their accounts:

if you go into your user cp and answer the "skill testing question to make sure you are not an r", then it might fix your issues. If not, pm me and I'll fix it for you. That's a feature that was added later, and so some folks (particularly ones who joined before that was added) may be having issues b/c they have not answered that question.

Later,
Jason

[Moog]

Hey jason - i know this isn't really the tome or the place, but I don't think I ever got round to saying how much i LOVED Remember When. It broke my heart man.

[Robbie Comeau]

Cover me, I'm going in.

That's what he said.

[dory_breaux]

That's what he said.

ah, damn! that be some nasty shit right there.

[ryvac]

does anyone know where can I find more festivals or video contest like this?
that's more of a short film type of festival, like for a 1~10 minute video.(not big ones, I'm only a newbie trying to see how good I am....)

[shihan]

I saw this late but I'm in...If I still have "TIME".

[fede:lang]

Well. I'm working on my graduation project right now.. but I have to present it before may 20th. I hope I can shoot my new short before June to send it out!!

[fede:lang]

oh by the way.. any possible prizes yet?? :D :D :D

[Ki-Ki]

Seriously - Not sure if someone will reply

Say a song such as;

Aerosmith - (I don't wanna miss a thing)

If a band was to redo this tune, with there own lyrics & change a few notes. Would this be okay, because of Copyright issues.

I'm not purposly being awkward I promise.

:beer:

[givemefood]

Barry

Question on Rules-

1) Theme on Time: I've decided to make a film for this fest. Now, the main character in my film has to get a few things done by a specific time. Can/will this be considered as a Time-based theme? The Plot is different although some of the activities that take place have to occur within a certain time frame. The film WILL NOT be like 24 or other time-ticker thrillers....

Let me know. If this doesn't work i'll have to come up with another idea for the film.

Thanks

[Mark Johnson]

does anyone know where can I find more festivals or video contest like this?
that's more of a short film type of festival, like for a 1~10 minute video.(not big ones, I'm only a newbie trying to see how good I am....)

There are a bazillion short festivals that would fit your question. However, many of them will have an entry fee and this one is truly unique because: 1) It runs so frequently; 2) the prizes are so outstanding; and, 3) it has absolutely no entry fee.

There are a number of on-line and realworld festivals that don't have entry fees but usually don't have prizes beyond a trophy either. For instance, the San Francisco 3-minute film festival requires you to make a 3-minute short in a month's time. There are many short festivals promoted by corporate sponsors as well (the Heinz ketchup comes to mind). You should google the following: "short film festivals" "three minute film festival" (then do the same for four minute/five minute/six minute etc.) Then go to www.withoutabox.com and search for short film festivals. That should get you started.

[Mark Johnson]

Seriously - Not sure if someone will reply

Say a song such as;

Aerosmith - (I don't wanna miss a thing)

If a band was to redo this tune, with there own lyrics & change a few notes. Would this be okay, because of Copyright issues.

I'm not purposly being awkward I promise.

:beer:

Nope. You can't just "change a few notes" and avoid infringement. That's the classic theme of many lawsuits and if it can be proven that the original was the basis for the new song then you've got a violation on your hands. Consider how George Harrison got in trouble over his big hit "My Sweet Lord" which has the same hook as "He's So Fine." In the U.S. federal court decision in the case, known as Bright Tunes Music v. Harrisongs Music, Harrison was found to have unintentionally copied part of the earlier song. He was ordered to surrender the majority of royalties from "My Sweet Lord" and partial royalties from All Things Must Pass.

[Postmaster]

Are we allowed to post outtakes?

Frank

[Mark Johnson]

Are we allowed to post outtakes?

Frank

You can post static frames from your movie OR moving footage as long as the footage itself is not used in the film. Actual moving footage from the movie is verbotten. However, behind the scenes stuff OR footage from the cutting room floor that won't make it into the film are fair game.

FROM THE RULES AT THE TOP OF THIS THREAD:
Films may only be promoted on DVXuser.com before screening and no actual footage may be screened prior to the DVXuser screening. Behind the scenes photos & video is OK. Still images (frame grabs) from the actual film are OK as well.

[Dick Campbell]

Films may only be promoted on DVXuser.com before screening and no actual footage may be screened prior to the DVXuser screening. Behind the scenes photos & video is OK. Still images (frame grabs) from the actual film are OK as well.so this my first fest, please pardon the stupid question: is it OK to e-mail friends with the link to DVXuser to come check it out?

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

so this my first fest, please pardon the stupid question: is it OK to e-mail friends with the link to DVXuser to come check it out?I'm not a mod here but... absolutely.

[pia12254]

Hopefully a mod will see this but I have what I think is a fairly simple question... :)

Is it ok to put the two-second DVXUser acknowledgment at the beginning rather than the end? I just think mine would be a lot better if my film didn't end and then immediately have the "DVXUser" credit pop up! :D

I don't see why it would be a problem to have it at the beginning but I wanted to check and make sure. So, if a Mod could reply with an official answer I would really appreciate it!

Thanks!

[ZazaCast]

Is it ok to put the two-second DVXUser acknowledgment at the beginning rather than the end? I just think mine would be a lot better if my film didn't end and then immediately have the "DVXUser" credit pop up! :D

I don't see why it would be a problem to have it at the beginning but I wanted to check and make sure. So, if a Mod could reply with an official answer I would really appreciate it!

Thanks!


I have the same question...can the DVXuser acknowledgment be in the beginning of the film????

[pgarcia0]

Hi there,

I have shot a music video for the TimeFest. When will I be able to upload my video, please?

Greetings,
pAco

[Mark Harris]

Hey Barry, when you say:



# Film Title (any format and can appear anywhere in the film),


can that include and audio format for the title, or does it have to be visual? Like a V/O?

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Hey all, probably a stupid question. EDIT: I have a stupid question. I am pretty sur eit doesn't matter but what are the rules as far as using name brand products in the short. Say for example (not the real situation) a character was spraying windex on the counter and you can clearly see that it is "windex" is that okay? I am fairly certain it would be, can't really see the issue, but I know there are restrictions with songs and such and was just wondering.

I am actually in the middle of shooting right now, so an answer soon would be ideal! :grin:

Thanks,

[J.R. Hudson]

No

Unless you have the rights to use it.

[Jared Meyer]

Prominent use of the product with a clear shot of the logo is not recommended.

Simple solution though - shoot the scene so that the logo is obscured; either not in the shot, covered by his hand, or covered by a piece of tape...Or flip the bottle around, or remove the label completely, OR just pour the windex into an unmarked bottle. Lots of options, all easier than writing Windex and asking for clearance.

It's almost impossible to prevent any logos from making it into any of your shots - but as long as they're "incidental" and not displayed prominently you don't need to get clearance. But the example you gave does sound like it would be featured prominently and would require one of the workarounds I suggested.

[Gohanto]

Prominent use of the product with a clear shot of the logo is not recommended.

Simple solution though - shoot the scene so that the logo is obscured; either not in the shot, covered by his hand, or covered by a piece of tape...Or flip the bottle around, or remove the label completely, OR just pour the windex into an unmarked bottle. Lots of options, all easier than writing Windex and asking for clearance.

It's almost impossible to prevent any logos from making it into any of your shots - but as long as they're "incidental" and not displayed prominently you don't need to get clearance. But the example you gave does sound like it would be featured prominently and would require one of the workarounds I suggested.

Dang it, and here I had this great idea for my film where a young boy leads a friendly alien back to his house with Reese's Pieces. Just have to find some other way to make that scene work now.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Well the Windex example was just that, an example. What if the logo is actually on the front of a car and the shot it is in is a really cool-arse shot, but in that shot the logo being visible is unavoidable? :grin:

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Some things fall under fair use don't they? I know I've seen plenty of products in previous entries. Cereal boxes, etc... brand names that were quite visible.

I don't know all the boundaries around that sort of thing though.

[Mattykins]

Dang it, and here I had this great idea for my film where a young boy leads a friendly alien back to his house with Reese's Pieces. Just have to find some other way to make that scene work now.

Oddly enough they tried to get permission from Mars and were denied it for use with M&Ms, and Hershey gave them the money and the rights...though denied the use of their flagship, Kisses.

Reese's are still sold in cinemas today after their 80% jump in sales.

:D

[Jared Meyer]

Some things fall under fair use don't they? I know I've seen plenty of products in previous entries. Cereal boxes, etc... brand names that were quite visible.

I don't know all the boundaries around that sort of thing though.

You're right - and my knowledge is pretty limited here as well - but I believe that applies to documentaries and the like. News, events, weddings, docs, etc... David or someone else wiser than I will have to chime in but I'm pretty sure the concept of "fair use" has no application in narrative filmmaking.

In a short film or a feature, if a logo shows up in the background and is not featured prominently, there is most likely not an issue. Fairly certain you don't have to get clearance from Quaker Oats if you have a box of Cap'n Crunch in the cupboard in the background of your shot. Of course I could be wrong. Why does this stuff have to be so complex...? :)

[ConspiracyPenguin]

You would think it wouldn't matter unless you were casting the company in a bad light, because essentially it is free advertising. Mayble I'll email Chevrolet. Or maybe I will just move right along. Hopefully more people will weigh in...?

[Mark Harris]

Mark Harris said: Hey Barry, when you say:



# Film Title (any format and can appear anywhere in the film),


can that include and audio format for the title, or does it have to be visual? Like a V/O?


Anyone? I mean, anyone who actually knows the answer?

[Barry_Green]

Er... I think the intention was clearly for visual, but that's an interesting question. I don't think I've ever heard of any film in history titling itself any way other than visual, so -- poins to Mark for thinking outside the box... is it a problem to have it visual though?

[Mark Harris]

It's not a problem, just that we didn't really do a title sequence, so as not to waste part of our 6 min. But the very first word spoken in the movie is the title.

I guess I didn't really understand the point of forcing a title onto the movie, so wanted to know if we could qualify without it. But we'll come up with something.

Thanks!

[Mattykins]

Have we figured out if the DVXUser advert can come in the beginning of the show?

I'd much rather have it at the leading end. Just wondering if that is legal.

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

Have we figured out if the DVXUser advert can come in the beginning of the show?

I'd much rather have it at the leading end. Just wondering if that is legal.

Why? I just made it the last two seconds of my piece, from 5:59 to 6:01.

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

Question Mods: is it okay for us to host a 720p version of our movie after viewing opens? It would be identical except being 720p. Mark seemed to think this wasn't okay but I've read and re-read the rules and there's absolutely nothing prohibiting it.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Matty, let me get an official OK on the before the short acknowledgement. Don't see a problem but, let me get an official OK. Myself or another mod will post back here.

Shawneous, sorry no 720 version on your own. We can add that it's not allowed explicitly in the rules from now on but it's implied in the upload process. We host the films which accomplishes the following things:
everyone is subject to the same compression limits, hosting your own outside of those limits is arguably unfair
along the lines of 1 it's, again arguably, unfair in the sense that not everyone even has their own means of hosting at all, let alone in a format / resolution superior to what will be up on User.
it locks the submission content. If people host their own then they could complete that sweet VFX shot they couldn't finish for upload time and then swap the films out on their own server.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Mattykins, beginning or end is fine for the acknowledgement.

[sfoster]

guess that means that a live screening of the films in a higher quality is out! BUMMER! Maybe we'll screen higher quality versions after the fest is over, or just do a lo res screening!

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

for friends? go for it.

In a public theater? probably not. but not out of the question under certain circumstances.

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

Matty, let me get an official OK on the before the short acknowledgement. Don't see a problem but, let me get an official OK. Myself or another mod will post back here.

Shawneous, sorry no 720 version on your own. We can add that it's not allowed explicitly in the rules from now on but it's implied in the upload process. We host the films which accomplishes the following things:
everyone is subject to the same compression limits, hosting your own outside of those limits is arguably unfair
along the lines of 1 it's, again arguably, unfair in the sense that not everyone even has their own means of hosting at all, let alone in a format / resolution superior to what will be up on User.
it locks the submission content. If people host their own then they could complete that sweet VFX shot they couldn't finish for upload time and then swap the films out on their own server.

Makes sense, thanks! Glad I asked.

[David W. Richardson]

Okay, it's June 2nd and we STILL don't know what the PRIZES are. Any word?

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Okay, it's June 2nd and we STILL don't know what the PRIZES are. Any word?

Here you go.

http://dvxuser.com/RED-ONEprize.htm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0)

[David W. Richardson]

Seriously?

[Barry_Green]

This isn't a contest for prizes. It's a festival. There may or may not be any prizes. I'm not saying there aren't any, but I am saying that the possibility exists that there aren't any.

Any prizes would be a bonus, and should not be expected as an entitlement or as a given.

[Jason Ramsey]

Prizes will be announced in Tandem with the films going live or in Tandem with the announcement of the winners.

Later,
Jason

[Simon Höfer]

I don't care about the prizes, I want it to be the 16th today! I wanna watch the movies :) Man, I can't wait! This fest will be a blast, looking forward to all your great work!

Just had to say this :D

PS. Still thanks alot for the info jason :)

[Barry_Green]

Thanks Simon, that's the attitude! :thumbsup:

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

Prizes will be announced in Tandem with the films going live or in Tandem with the announcement of the winners.

Later,
Jason

Good! I'm very glad that money has never been a prize, it was much easier explaining it to the talent.

[Jeff Anderson]

Yeah I have to say while the prizes in the past have been great, the real prize is getting to watch all of the entries and the fantastic feedback everyone gives each other. I have yet to participate in a fest (soon!) and have learned so much just from following the threads, watching the films, and reading everyone's feedback. I can get clients to fork over money for gear and toys, but this kind of experience is invaluable.

[Mark Harris]

I completely agree Jeff. It's the reason I had entered exhibition only in the past.

But one has to wonder if prizes are not the point, why have voting at all?

[Barry_Green]

It's another way to participate. The fest is about participation.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

I completely agree Jeff. It's the reason I had entered exhibition only in the past.

But one has to wonder if prizes are not the point, why have voting at all?

Just because prizes aren't the point, doesn't mean competition isn't.

I know lots of filmmakers that are far more motivated by the "1" than the gear. The gear is awesome. But I think outside of the fun aspect, people are much more motivated by striving to be better each contest and seeing if they can make more and more polished and competitive films and come out on top.

There's voting for the audience award at Sundance and they don't give you an HVX. Your question kind of collapses on itself. There's no voting to prize importance relationship that's necessarily presupposed anywhere in any contest.

You can give prizes away and have no voting, or have it done by a small panel.

You can have voting and have 1st place and have no prizes as many, many, many, festivals do all over the world which people are eager to enter and win.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I don't care about the prizes, I want it to be the 16th today! I wanna watch the movies :)

Slow down!! Still shooting here...


:thumbsup:

[Mobie540]

I shot my footage on a webcam and it's in 4:3 ratio, can I enter it in that ratio?

[Simon Höfer]

Slow down!! Still shooting here...


:thumbsup:

Haha, yeah I thought about that after I wrote my comment :D But I guess everybody gets the point :)

Hurry up! :grin:

[Mark Harris]

I have other questions:



* All films must be no longer than 6 (six) minutes and 2 seconds (6:02) TOTAL. INCLUDING ANY CREDITS. [the new 2 seconds are for the mandatory acknowledgement of DVXuser]


So if we have 2 seconds of black reserved for this at the end, does this have to be ONLY the acknowledgement of DVXUser, or can that acknowledgement be included with credits in that 2 seconds?

Also:



No promotion on external web sites is allowed until after the screening has been completed.


I had to get permission from one company to use an image they own in our film. They asked if they could link to the contest in their blog and let people know their image is being featured in my film. Does this mean they cannot?

[Mattykins]

I don't care about the prizes, I want it to be the 16th today! I wanna watch the movies :)


Simon, if it was the 16th...I would have again not been able to enter a DVXuser film fest. hahaha.

Though looking forward to it.

[Gohanto]

Here you go.

http://dvxuser.com/RED-ONEprize.htm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0)

That's not cool. Non-descript youtube links are one thing, labeling the link as RED prize...

And I do agree prizes aren't the point of these competitions, but I think any real filmmaker loves the idea of getting better equipment to shoot on as it always makes life easier. Heck, I'm getting a RED for a short in a few months and it's the first time I've ever had people emailing me ASKING to work on it instead of begging people.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

:evil:
muahahaha!

... er sorry :)

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

That's not cool. Non-descript youtube links are one thing, labeling the link as RED prize...

Always run your cursor over the link before clicking. You will see the url address appear at the bottom left hand corner of your browser.

:happy:

I've been fooled one too many times by these crazy guys! :grin:

[Larry Rutledge]

So if we have 2 seconds of black reserved for this at the end, does this have to be ONLY the acknowledgement of DVXUser, or can that acknowledgement be included with credits in that 2 seconds?

The film + credits should be 6 minutes or less. After that should be added on 2 seconds containing the DVXuser acknowledgement.


I had to get permission from one company to use an image they own in our film. They asked if they could link to the contest in their blog and let people know their image is being featured in my film. Does this mean they cannot?

Currently we allow no outside promotion, until voting closes. So just let them know that once the voting closes they can link to the contest, your entry, whatever they want.

[Mark Harris]

Currently we allow no outside promotion, until voting closes. So just let them know that once the voting closes they can link to the contest, your entry, whatever they want.

Can you tell me why? If it only drives traffic to the site and those people cannot vote anyway...I'm curious as to the reason, as long as we are pointing them to the DVXUser threads for the films...

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

Can you tell me why? If it only drives traffic to the site and those people cannot vote anyway...I'm curious as to the reason, as long as we are pointing them to the DVXUser threads for the films...

Ditto. I'd like to petition to change this rule. I think it'd be good for the films, the filmmakers and DVXUser as a whole to allow us to drive traffic back here.

[Jason Ramsey]

It's not something that will be changed mid-fest, but it is something that is under strong consideration for the next fest.

Later,
Jason

[jasonthewho]

The film + credits should be 6 minutes or less. After that should be added on 2 seconds containing the DVXuser acknowledgement.

Larry, in the rules it reads:


A clear, at least two second, acknowledgment of DVXuser at the end of the film, before or after the credits.

It does not say it has to be after the credits, and it also does not say it has to be over black. Are you making a change, or am I misreading your comment?

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Can you tell me why? If it only drives traffic to the site and those people cannot vote anyway...I'm curious as to the reason, as long as we are pointing them to the DVXUser threads for the films...
As Jason mentioned it's under consideration for the next fest.

The reason it was put into place is to avoid an unfair buzz advantage with tons of traffic being driven to one thread and overshadowing others.

That's kind of happening anyway, which is one of the reasons it may change in addition to the reasons you just pointed out.

Also this was created back when there was no pimping allowed of any kind.

[Mark Harris]

As Jason mentioned it's under consideration for the next fest.

The reason it was put into place is to avoid an unfair buzz advantage with tons of traffic being driven to one thread and overshadowing others.

That's kind of happening anyway, which is one of the reasons it may change in addition to the reasons you just pointed out.

Also this was created back when there was no pimping allowed of any kind.

Ha ha, Kind of happened? :)

[Larry Rutledge]

Yea, as mentioned, the no outside promotion rule was originally created to prevent ballot stuffing. Now that we have an automated system it makes sense to re-visit this rule and will more than likely make some changes, but we will not change rules mid-fest.

Regarding the "acknowledgement", my understanding at the time we created the new rule was that it was it's own thing, a 2 second tag, over black. But it seems from the rules that we didnt' specify it that way ... so for this fest as long as your film does not exceed 6 minutes and 2 seconds and that the DVXUser acknowledgement appears somewhere within the 6 minutes a 2 seconds for 2 seconds minimum and we don't have to hunt to find it, then it will be acceptable.

[traviscool]

So wait- the mention of DVXuser can be + 2 seconds- so the overall film can be 6:02

[jasonthewho]

Thanks Larry!

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I was given permission in the past to link to my thread here. I believe it was during LoveFest.

So has that now changed? I usually do so in the HV20 forum since that's what I shoot with.

Maybe I was given permission since I'm a small fish here. :D
Like someone else said... it's not like they can just come over and vote.

Let me know...

Mike

[Mark Harris]

Yea, as mentioned, the no outside promotion rule was originally created to prevent ballot stuffing. Now that we have an automated system it makes sense to re-visit this rule and will more than likely make some changes, but we will not change rules mid-fest.

Regarding the "acknowledgement", my understanding at the time we created the new rule was that it was it's own thing, a 2 second tag, over black. But it seems from the rules that we didnt' specify it that way ... so for this fest as long as your film does not exceed 6 minutes and 2 seconds and that the DVXUser acknowledgement appears somewhere within the 6 minutes a 2 seconds for 2 seconds minimum and we don't have to hunt to find it, then it will be acceptable.

Sorry to bang on this but just to make sure, that 2 seconds STILL can only contain the acknowledgement, right?

We've allowed the 2 seconds in our cut, but I didn't want to put other credits in that 2 seconds too if it's not allowed.

[ZazaCast]

Regarding the "acknowledgement", my understanding at the time we created the new rule was that it was it's own thing, a 2 second tag, over black. But it seems from the rules that we didnt' specify it that way ... so for this fest as long as your film does not exceed 6 minutes and 2 seconds and that the DVXUser acknowledgement appears somewhere within the 6 minutes a 2 seconds for 2 seconds minimum and we don't have to hunt to find it, then it will be acceptable.


Could someone please state the rule clearly...so we all know what it is?

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Sorry to bang on this but just to make sure, that 2 seconds STILL can only contain the acknowledgement, right?

We've allowed the 2 seconds in our cut, but I didn't want to put other credits in that 2 seconds too if it's not allowed.
Right.

2 seconds was given to properly acknowledge DVXuser so people wouldn't complain that now they only had 5:58 seconds to make their film. Not so you can get another 2 seconds for something else.

[Barry_Green]

Make a six-minute film and be 100% done within that six minutes.

Then add two seconds for the DVXUser acknowledgement.

[David W. Richardson]

For those of us with a bit of a mercenary streak, maybe change the line "Prizes will be announced" to "Prizes, if any, will be announced." Sets our expectations up-front. :)

[Barry_Green]

Done.

[David W. Richardson]

I'm confused. Somebody said here that the aspect ratio has to be 16:9, but I don't see that anywhere in the official rules. IS this a requirement?

[David W. Richardson]

Another question.... I don't have the H.264 codec. I run a Windows machine with Premiere 6.0 (an old dog), and I'm not even sure I CAN install/use the H.264 codec. Any suggestions?

[Zim]

I'm confused. Somebody said here that the aspect ratio has to be 16:9, but I don't see that anywhere in the official rules. IS this a requirement?


It used to be 16:9 or if your using a DVX100 you could use letterbox. This time they complained about compression and that letterbox is "ok but not preffered".I didn't catch that one at first so mine is done with a DVX100b in letterbox. Next time I will have to use squeeze or maybe they will only allow films done with HVX or RED!

If they are not wanting to use the DVX anymore they should change the name of the fest to something like the RED fest. Maybe HVX fest.

[Matt Sconce]

Another question.... I don't have the H.264 codec. I run a Windows machine with Premiere 6.0 (an old dog), and I'm not even sure I CAN install/use the H.264 codec. Any suggestions?

download quicktime pro. 30 bucks I think. Export uncomp quicktime from premiere. Open with Quicktime pro. Export with h.264:beer:

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

It used to be 16:9 or if your using a DVX100 you could use letterbox. This time they complained about compression and that letterbox is "ok but not preffered".I didn't catch that one at first so mine is done with a DVX100b in letterbox. Next time I will have to use squeeze or maybe they will only allow films done with HVX or RED!

If they are not wanting to use the DVX anymore they should change the name of the fest to something like the RED fest. Maybe HVX fest.

"OK" is still "OK" so don't see the problem. It's not "OK but we will secretly resent you". :)

You should want to chop the letterbox off your film for web anyway.

Why waste that bandwidth on black bars when you could be putting it towards better compression for your image??????????

A lot of filmmakers who shot on HVX or RED will be going to 2.35:1 anyway and they will be chopping off their letterbox for the web for the reason I mentioned above. So obviously you don't have to shoot squeeze to not get black bars.

Everyone has the same file size limit. If you want to waste bandwidth on black bars. Feel free.

What would give you the idea we don't want people using the DVX?

We opened up the kinds of cameras you can use - that's all.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I believe that last Fest they wanted 16:9

From last Fest...

Deliverables must be formatted as widescreen 16:9 or 2:35 aspect ratio and provided as an h.264 compressed file (either .mov or .mp4). with a maximum size of 50 MB. Additional details will be released closer to the entry deadline.Is that true this Fest?

Can someone clear that up? Not sure why it would change.

Thanks,

Mike

[Zim]

Jack before it had to be letterbox for the fest. At least that is what I was told.


can you submit 4:3 for the fest? I didn't think so I PM someone who said letterbox would work. I might try squeeze next time

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

No. It never had to be letterboxed. It was always 16X9 or wider EITHER Letterboxed or Anamorphic.

For the DVD's they wanted one aspect ratio. 16X9. So the DVD would be 16X9. If you sent letterboxed 16X9 they would chop off the black bars and blow it up to 16X9 for the DVD anyway.

Every fest I have participated in, I have submitted 2.35 with no letterboxing for web. When they used to ask for "high quality" mpegs, I would give them 16X9 anamorphic (letterboxed to 2.35 since there is no such DVD animal as 2.35)

So it never had to be letterboxed. Only ever had to be 16X9 or wider and for the DVD EITHER a Letterboxed 16X9 that we could conform to true 16X9 or a true 16X9 file.

:beer:

[Shawn Philip Nelson]

No. It never had to be letterboxed. It was always 16X9 or wider EITHER Letterboxed or Anamorphic.

For the DVD's they wanted one aspect ratio. 16X9. So the DVD would be 16X9. If you sent letterboxed 16X9 they would chop off the black bars and blow it up to 16X9 for the DVD anyway.

Every fest I have participated in, I have submitted 2.35 with no letterboxing for web. When they used to ask for "high quality" mpegs, I would give them 16X9 anamorphic (letterboxed to 2.35 since there is no such DVD animal as 2.35)

So it never had to be letterboxed. Only ever had to be 16X9 or wider and for the DVD EITHER a Letterboxed 16X9 that we could conform to true 16X9 or a true 16X9 file.

:beer:

Whatever happened to fest DVDs?? I haven't seen one since, sheesh, sci-fi fest?

[Zim]

From the Love Fest:

All filmmakers agree to grant DVXuser.com and its agents non-exclusive rights for their films to appear on a DVD or for DVXuser-sanctioned public screenings. Deliverables must be formatted as widescreen 16:9 or 2:35 aspect ratio and provided as an h.264 compressed file (either .mov or .mp4). with a maximum size of 50 MB. Additional details will be released closer to the entry deadline.

I ask about this and was told to use letterbox.

The Time fest says:

All filmmakers agree to grant DVXuser.com and its agents non-exclusive rights for their films to appear on a DVD or for DVXuser-sanctioned public screenings. Deliverables must be provided as an h.264 compressed file (either .mov or .mp4) with a maximum size of 50 MB. Letter boxed submissions are OK, but not preferred as they negatively impact compression quality. Uploading website will be announced in the future.

You see the "not preferred" was added and after I was PM'd to use letterbox the last fest it made me wonder.

[Zim]

No. It never had to be letterboxed. It was always 16X9 or wider EITHER Letterboxed or Anamorphic.

For the DVD's they wanted one aspect ratio. 16X9. So the DVD would be 16X9. If you sent letterboxed 16X9 they would chop off the black bars and blow it up to 16X9 for the DVD anyway.

Every fest I have participated in, I have submitted 2.35 with no letterboxing for web. When they used to ask for "high quality" mpegs, I would give them 16X9 anamorphic (letterboxed to 2.35 since there is no such DVD animal as 2.35)

So it never had to be letterboxed. Only ever had to be 16X9 or wider and for the DVD EITHER a Letterboxed 16X9 that we could conform to true 16X9 or a true 16X9 file.

:beer:

So what do you think is better for the fest? 4:3 letterbox in post? Letterbox? Squeeze mode?

[Barry_Green]

can you submit 4:3 for the fest?You can submit 4:3 if you want. You can submit 4:3 letterboxed to 16:9 if you want. Or you can submit native 16:9. All are acceptable for this fest. This was not always so, but it is so for TimeFest. We changed the rules to get rid of the 16:9 requirement for TimeFest.

[Barry_Green]

So what do you think is better for the fest? 4:3 letterbox in post? Letterbox? Squeeze mode?
If you're using a DVX, and you want 16:9, just use Squeeze (with 24P and THIN). :)

[Zim]

Ok thanks Barry. I've been done for a couple weeks. It is letterbox again.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

For timefest I would chop off my Letterbox in compressor (if you are on a mac). And up your bandwidth a bit. That will give you the best websized image.

that's what I did for my fest entries on DVX.

[Gohanto]

Are there any guesses as to how long the new voting system is going to take?

Reason being I dropped out of TimeFest as my script was stronger without the theme, but if just by luck the next fest fits it with just dropping in an element I'd want to do it.
Start shooting early July. Any guesses yet? Or too soon to ask?

[traviscool]

How do you chop your letter box?

[Zim]

For timefest I would chop off my Letterbox in compressor (if you are on a mac). And up your bandwidth a bit. That will give you the best websized image.

that's what I did for my fest entries on DVX.

I've order a new Final Cut Studio. it should be here next week. (school employee's discount, $499) So I will try seeing what compressor will do. I probably won't mess with my time fest film. I've moved on if you know what I mean.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

How do you chop your letter box?

If you have FCP suite 2 you do it in compressor by selecting auto crop letterboxed area of source and setting your dimensions as any 2:35 dimensions.

In the version of FCP suite before that, you do the same but you have to manually crop it. All can be done under the geometry tab.

If you don't have either of the above, you leave the letterbox on or ask a PC guy :)

[Moojangles]

in Premiere you should be able to select 2:35 dimensions on export when using the Adobe Media Encoder.

Can't remember how to do it in Vegas and don't currently have it installed.

[traviscool]

If you have FCP suite 2 you do it in compressor by selecting auto crop letterboxed area of source and setting your dimensions as any 2:35 dimensions.

In the version of FCP suite before that, you do the same but you have to manually crop it. All can be done under the geometry tab.

If you don't have either of the above, you leave the letterbox on or ask a PC guy :)

I'll probably leave it, I only have FCE.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

It's only ideal, not a requirement, so no worries if it's too much to deal with this time around or even if you don't want to bother.

[Moojangles]

ok, so i know there is a 50mb file limit but what resolution do you export as? I wanna try exporting out and see what kind of file i'm ending up with here.

:) I'm excited to start watching these things.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Resolution is your choice.

You can make it HD if you want, but it will be highly compressed.

you'll see some 720 X 405 and a lot of 480 X 270 and some other stuff too.

[Simon Höfer]

And it depends on the length of your clip. Mine comes in at about 4min 30sec. So mine will be 800x450 at 1400kbit/s.

Like Jack said, for 6 minutes 720x405 should be doable.

[Moojangles]

thanks guys, that helps. :)

[teamawesome01]

where can i upload my video?

[Mark Harris]

They will provide an upload link in a yellow thread soon.

[Ben Sliker]

Films will be listed for viewing in the order received.

two questions -

1. what happened to this? Not like we uploaded early or anything, in fact, quite the opposite ... just wondering if people did to get this advantage and now they are not. (and I'm not trying to knock the system or the work of Larry R cause he's awesome and did loads of awesome work. awesome.) But I would be pissed if I busted my ass to get done a week early and uploaded to get that top spot, only to have my entry, let's say "Zanzabar Time Monkeys" end up on the bottom of the list.

2. How long do we have to watch/vote?

More details on this new two-tiered system pleeeeeease. :)

[Barry_Green]

Looks like the films-listed-in-order-received slipped through the cracks this time. Oops.

[Barry_Green]

VOTING:

Folks, we changed the voting system, and it seems like some people might possibly be confused by how it works. Let me take a stab at clarifying:

You should not be making a list of your top 3 films or top 10 films, and "ranking" those. There is no "ranking" in this voting system. In the old voting system you figured out what your top 3 films were, and you voted for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. This system does not work that way.

In the new system, you're not supposed to "rank" the films at all. You're supposed to just assign a star rating to each and every film, so it's entirely possible to have five or six films rated a "10", another four or five rated a "9", a dozen rated "8", etc. This is the same way you'd do it on YouTube, or on IMDB, etc. Just think about it as you watch the films, and if you say 'wow, that film was a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10", then click on the "9 stars" on the star meter for that particular film.

The system is not designed to be used as a way to calculate what your top 10 films are, and then give one star to #10, two stars to #9, etc. That would in fact be unfairly punishing many of your top films. Please don't do it that way.

Ideally we'd like it if everyone would watch all the films, and rate them right after watching so it's still fresh in your mind. You can always re-watch and re-rate if you want to. Ideally you'd vote on ALL the films, and assign each of them an overall quality rating, 10=awesome, 1=hideous.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Cool. What's the next stage of voting going to be?

[Simon Höfer]

Maybe you could make an extra thread for this info and sticky it Barry?

And the info about rating your own film. That it is not necessary to vote for all. I accidentally rated my own film. Can I undo that?

[Ben Sliker]

But HOW LONG do we have to vote???

[ConspiracyPenguin]

..I accidentally rated my own film. Can I undo that?

:grin: Sure...

EDIT: Just kidding, in case you didn't know! :evil:

[Simon Höfer]

:grin: Sure...

EDIT: Just kidding, in case you didn't know! :evil:

I gave it 7 stars by the way :D

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I gave it 7 stars by the way :DI'm not rating mine at all. I was told it wouldn't make a difference. So hard to judge your own work impartially.

[Simon Höfer]

I'm not rating mine at all. I was told it wouldn't make a difference. So hard to judge your own work impartially.
Yeah, thats exactly why I wanted to make it back. I don't want to rate mine too.

[Larry Rutledge]

Simon - I removed your vote ... if you didn't really want it removed, simply re-vote for your film :)

[Simon Höfer]

Yeah, awesome Larry! Thanks alot man! :) I would feel guilty if I voted for my film.

[Barry_Green]

But HOW LONG do we have to vote???
Final cutoff date has yet to be set in stone, but there will be a goodly amount of time to vote. At least another week.

[Tom Shortridge]

Sorry, I asked this in the "Short Bus" thread and didn't get a confirmation, and I'm a little dense, so here goes again -

Did we have to have 50 posts prior to the opening of viewing in order to be able to vote? In other words, if I view and comment on each of the films (which I'm getting around to, I've seen them all, and am getting to work on the commenting), will I be able to vote?

If not, it's not that big a deal, I'll be able to next time, but I was just curious.

[Larry Rutledge]

Yes, you must have 50 votes at the time we open the fest for viewing/voting to be eligible to vote.

[Tom Shortridge]

Cool, thanks. So no votee for me.

[nitramlehcar]

Has the voting period ended yet?

Also, I'm getting conflicting messages on the post requirements. I've seen 50 and 100. Which is it? I have over 50 but I don't see the voting option.

Who is eligible to vote?

All current dvxuser.com members with 50 or more posts, plus all submitting filmmakers regardless of your post count. This applies only to the filmmaker that submitted the film, not the whole crew.

If you have less than 50 posts, but submitted a film, please let me (Larry R) know so I can authorize you in the fest system.

Congratulations to all the filmmakers that submitted entries and thanks to all the members participating.


Pauly, just said this in your thread but in case you missed it. You had less than 100 posts when viewing began which would disqualify you from voting. Larry may lift that since you have now met the requirement, but I am not sure.
__________________

[Larry Rutledge]

Forget all the other messages you receive .. whatever the official rules state is what is true. In this case, 50 posts make you eligible to vote.

I sent you a PM with more info on your specific account.