UNDEAD FEST 2011 or WHY DVXFESTER'S FEST-BITCHING HAS BACKFIRED ON US

[Matt Harris]

PRELUDE


I'm not trying to stir up trouble, this is just an open letter to everyone who is salivating for the next great fest.
And I am certainly not mod bashing, as i really appreciate everything all the mods do.
This is just food for thought.


---------------------------------




CHAPTER 1 - THE BACKSTORY


During Villainfest, there was a lot of griping towards mods and the fest in general:


1. The streaming annoyed some people. I don't stream, i download zips, so i didn't care.


2. Mod participation annoyed some people, uploads were delayed, people complained, mods apologized. No big deal.


3. Newbies complained about the rules being described in an overly complicated manner, despite being so simple.
This I agree with, but it's still an easy fix. The rules page just needs to be brief and concise. Not multiple paragraphs in length.


4. Newbies complained about not knowing when the fests started. Although this is a doofus problem,
I do feel the fests should be promoted more heavily throughout dvxuser.com, but we'll get to that later.


THE RESULT: Mods apologized, they have lives, they do this for free, things slipped through the cracks but they
acknowledged the concerns of the people, and they vowed to make changes. And the fest turned out fine, actually it was a great fest per usual!


But the complaining made mods regroup as hungry filmmakers circled the wagons with pitchforks and torches.
The mods announced that they needed time to revise the rules, figure out a new fest, and that in the meantime we
will have a 48 Hour Fest. A fest genre that is certain to churn out rushed, weak films that are far below the capacity
of the filmmaker's who's lives depend on these fests. (HAWK)




---------------------------------




CHAPTER 2 - GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT


Turning the next dvxuser fest into a 48 hourfest might sound intriguing at first, but ultimately it is the wrong move IMHO.


I'd like to confront the elephant in the room head on.
We don't really want to do a 48 hour fest. We want a real, 3 month long fest so we can develop our scripts, our scores,
our poster art, audition actors, fire actors, then re-hire actors once we realize we have no other actors etc.


Mods, It's not too late! Just announce a cool as hell fest ASAP, rules can come later!
Keep the tried and true dvxfest schedule and keep the fall fest as something horror.
You want participants? Go with UNDEAD FEST. Done. That is a winner!


UNDEAD FEST. START DATE: TODAY. END DATE: OCT 31st


(My alternate idea, SCARE FEST, is also something that would spark filmmaker's imaginations)




---------------------------------




CHAPTER 3 - DVX 48 HOUR FEST PROS AND CONS


PROS:


1. Noone has to give a crap until the rules are announced on a friday night in the near future.
Then everyone scrambles, gives up their weekend (which is impossible if you have a wife and kids)
and tries to throw together a half-assed short film.


I'm not saying you can't make a solid short in a weekend, but how many of us will? We then will watch
and review everyone's movies on Monday while we are wired off sugar free red bulls and 5 hour
energy IV drips. The reviews will be harsh because the films will be rushed and lacking.
Filmmaker's will be defending their films saying "what the hell do you expect? I had 48 hours??"


Sorry, I know this was supposed to be pros but that's the real deal scenario.


CONS:


1. Lack of participants - this will be the lowest entered fest of all time. Guaranteed. Lock.
Blink and you'll miss this fest.


2. The films, having no time for preproduction, will all be shot in everyone's kitchen
and will have a drug deal gone bad and someone with a hand gun killing a bad guy with an eye patch.


3. Filmmaker's who can't do everything themselves will have sloppy sound, apple loops as score,
and horrendous movie posters.


4. Aside from #3, just in general, it will be difficult to finish your movie. We will see a bunch of director's
come Sunday night saying "Sorry I just couldn't get my movie done because __ and __ fell through."




---------------------------------




CHAPTER 4 - CONCLUSION


Mods, we want a fest to sink our teeth into, not a fest that, by dvuserfest standards, is an afterthought.
We love you and appreciate you, and the fests were fine as is, aside from some nitpicks. Let's stay
on the classic track of a horror fest come Halloween 2011. Everyone wants it.


Filmmaker's back me up. I am the voice of the voiceless. I know that you know that I am speaking
for your deepest desires. You want UNDEAD FEST to happen, and you already have ideas in your head.
And you want to start on your script and concept art now.


Let us unite and work towards THE GREATEST BUZZ-WORTHY FEST OF ALL TIME.


UNDEAD FEST 2011! START DATE: TODAY. END DATE: OCT 31st!


(or we can just go with 48 hour fest if that's what people want).

[Barry_Green]

Short answer: the 48hr fest is not in any way a replacement for our typical 3-month festivals. It is in addition to, not instead of.

[Matt Harris]

Great! I thought I read Jason saying it would replace the next next, and that we'd all regroup in December and go from there.

I'm just pushing for a fall horror fest.

[Marlon Ladd]

You make some really good points, Matt. I agree with quite a bit of what you said. I'm in no way knocking a 48-hour film fest, but it's not an intriguing idea to me. Now, it may be a really good exercise in pre-production and quick editing, but I also believe the films will really suffer. It's hard enough trying to make a good film in three months and think of all the polishing going on throughout the editing process then. Even still, your film may still have some issues (technically) that you did not have time to fix. I think the question is do you want to see a good/great film (something to aspire to or learn from) or do you want to see a film that somebody threw together boasting that at least they got it finished? Just my two cents.

[Barry_Green]

I'm not aware of Jason having said something like that. If he did, that's news to me, but I haven't kept up as much with everything as I probably should. However, I know when we discussed it, the 48Hr fest was intended originally to be a supplemental, bonus fest. Because some people don't want to commit three months and thousands of dollars to a fest film, so we're trying to reach out and expand the fest to include folks who aren't up for such a huge venture, but would love to have a fun and crazy filmmaking weekend, rushing against other DVXUsers around the globe...

[Matt Harris]

Marlon you summed up my long winded soapbox far better. What you said is what i meant.

Barry, I'm on the same page as you. Had you guys announced a new 4 month fest, and said the 48 hour fest is an added bonus, I would be stoked!
I just don't want to have the 48 hour fest be the only thing for the next 3-4 months.

[Barry_Green]

Okay, I just saw the post you guys were talking about. Hmmm. Will consult with Jason.

[Marlon Ladd]

Nah, Matt, I think you were as thorough as you needed to be. Barry, "rushing against other dvxusers around the globe" does make it sound a bit more inviting though. A race against time - not a bad pitch.

[Matt Harris]

Where's movie master when you need him? Movie master, chime in! you love fall horror fests.

[pauly_the_hitman]

I am game for another fest that I can spend some time on and undead is perfect for me. Lets do it. I love you Mod's seriously I couldn't give up that much of my free time to do all you do. So I say lay off newbies and STHU!!!

[Hawk Teflon]

(not sure if this is a petition or whatever, but) I'm absolutely in. Each one of these fests pulls me in a direction I'm not comfortable with, so I learn a lot. Besides, maybe I can get Marlon to help out again since he's done with his movie... :grin:

[Matt Harris]

Hawk it's a petition, although I'm pushing Undead Fest, I am really just pushing for a real fest for us to sink our teeth into. And I name dropped you in me plea :)

[Darkline]

If the fests need a hiatus to reboot themselves, that's a good idea. I think it's needed with the falling entries/viewing figures. You could do a lot with this fest and the user base you have.

But IMO I wouldn't take the fall fest to do it, as it's always the most popular. If mods need time off for a shake up, I'd do it on the next fest (which is normally less popular as it crosses Xmas), and I don't think you'd have any complaints. But WTFDIK. Even if I don't get time to enter I always enjoy watching the Halloween fests.

And Matt, love ya, but not Undead fest please ;-) too specific. I'd struggle to watch potentially 50 odd zombie films in a row......My vote is to get back to the halloween themed idea where you can do almost anything you want, spirits, monsters, undead, vampires... as long as it takes place on Halloween.

[Matt Harris]

Darkline, point taken if Undead is too specific, i'm just trying to rile up the imagination's of the modders to give us something juicy!

[Darkline]

Dont get me wrong, The idea of time off to figure out a new format is a good one. Just not now. Not the fall fest when people are most eager to get involved (traditionally).

For a long time I've thought it should have it's own dedicated web page and given a push. Some of the shorts are as good as what's winning much higher profile competitions. Something like this would be good http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk . But I appreciate that might be too much work.

Maybe Im unimaginative but I think if they stuck to 'horrorfest' 'dramafest' and 'actionfest' for the three, then the mods might save a lot of work trying to figure out new themes and rule changes. Film-makers are free to do what they want within them. Some of the past fest themes IMO have been too specific which could be another reason for the fall off in attendance - but who knows, I'm sure there are many factors.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Yeah, it would be a real shame if there wasn't a full fledged Fest near Halloween. I don't think that Fest should take a backseat to anything.

[Shaun Patrick]

Yeah, it would be a real shame if there wasn't a full fledged Fest near Halloween. I don't think that Fest should take a backseat to anything.

Definitely agree. The fall fest has always been a blast.

[Chris Messineo]

Honestly, I'm down for whatever the next fest is - 48 Hour or Scare Fest. They both sound like fun.

Now that the VillainFest is over and I've had time to think about the fest, what struck me most was the absence of the mods in this fest. In the past, it seemed like they were always around, answering questions, writing reviews, and even entering. With this last fest, at times it felt like a bit of a ghost town.

I'd love to see the mods entering films again. I remember so many of their films from the past. They inspired me and I'm sure others too. If we could get a few of them involved in the next fest (whatever it is), I think it would really up the anticipation and the participation.

[maranfilms]

I think A SCARE FEST woulod be a great way to bring in the fall season. I'm in for that, I have always wanted to do a horror.

[Charli]

I always thought the staple fest here was the one in October - fake blood/gore/more gore. Why would anyone want to replace that? hyuck

I do think for the sake of all you guys who are going to enter the 48 hour fest you should NOT be required:

1. No posters
2. No bts shots
3. No worries about your individual thread until after the film is up

Listen, it's 48 hours you shouldn't have to do more than that.

As far as the October dated fest, we've never had it called "Fright Fest" - just saying.

[October Black]

Somebody do something! I need this fest....it keeps my dark heart pumping.

Lets do something evil, like hold a sit-in. I'm not leaving this thread until this issue is set strait.

[Elton]

I'm feelin' Undead. I don't think it needs to be so narrow as to just be zombies and vampires. Seems like there could be lots of ways to interpret it, but I've also thought pretty much the same thing as Darkline. Why do these fests need to be so cleverly nuanced about genres? I think Horror and Drama should be seasonal constants, but maybe one fest could be the wild card each year.

IMHO, 48hr fests really work better at the local level. I've done a few and for the most part they were fun, but much of what Matt spelled out really does ring true to my own experiences.

Now, I'm imagining that an online 48hr fest will be a tougher sell as far as a filmmaker's ability to get quality local talent mobilized and ready to sacrifice their weekend.

[Chris_Keaton]

I don't like zombies, mainly because I only have one good zombie story in me. Everything else zombie has been done to death...then it came back and took a shot gun to the head.

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

I don't like zombies, mainly because I only have one good zombie story in me. Everything else zombie has been done to death...then it came back and took a shot gun to the head.

I don't know... The little 'short' in front of "A Serious Man"(2009) introduced the masses to a Dybbuk... there's always a Golem as well...

[Brandon Rice]

Ok, I have NOT read the rest of this thread, aside from the first post. My vision behind the 48 hour festival is to give a MONTH OR MORE of pre-production time. My idea was to mirror another "timed" festival I was a part of which allowed as much pre-production as needed before the festival, but production and post had to happen at that time. Is this something more suitable for your ideas?

[Charli]

I don't think if you give a 48-hour fest that much preproduction time it can be called a 48-hour fest. It's a facade. Just keep the rules so uber simple. Set up dates but a "month" to prepare, seriously, just call it another fest.

[Brandon Rice]

Something I honestly like about a "timed" festival, even with allowing more pre-production is that I can simply lock in those dates, and say that's all the time I'm taking to make a film, that's it, two days. Done.

[Jason Ramsey]

so, my bad getting caught up in the moment of another deadline looming, and knowing you guys would be pissed at me if I dropped the annoucnement the day before the shoot :) And, beginning to feel like the 48fest thing was adding to the problem, rather than creating a bit of breathing room to address some more fundamental infrastructure changes that need doing for dvxfest. I was thinking in that line, and didn't consider it beyond that at the time I posted it. So, my bad. Thanks, matt for reminding me :)

Seriously... you guys have motivated me. I love it that there are people who care enough (and don't have to) and will spend the time to make a thread like this.

Working on some revised rules (simplified and such:) ) right now. will try to post tonight for our standard fall fest.

we will do a 48fest as well, b/c it is a different beast, and there are different muscles to flex, and different reasons why it may appeal to some. Maybe we'll do it during hte lull of this fest midway through or something as a side thing... Or, maybe as suggested we'll give it a shot in lieu of a winter fest or something. we'll see.

(EDIT: And, that was not a confirmation of UNDEAD FEST... :) Just that we will do a traditional dvxuser fall/horror themed fest.)

Later,
Jason

[Hawk Teflon]

Yesss!

[Curugon]

I think a 48-hour fest in addition to the usual ones could be really fun, but - as some folks above have mentioned - not in the fall. Everyone gets excited about the Halloween theme and probably wouldn't want to divert their energies and $$ towards another one.

On a brief tangent - I may be in the minority here but I preferred the days of little-to-no "marketing" for the films. Say, back in the 2005 zombie-fest, we couldn't post posters, BTS or anything other than a synopsis and occasional reports until after the voting. I preferred that... made it more about the films standing on their own merits and less about the hype, or how they were made. Probably something that's been debated a bunch before - just wanted to add my cents.

(edit: Jason just posted above, so ignore my first paragraph!)

[CallaghanFilms]

...On a brief tangent - I may be in the minority here but I preferred the days of little-to-no "marketing" for the films. Say, back in the 2005 zombie-fest, we couldn't post posters, BTS or anything other than a synopsis and occasional reports until after the voting. I preferred that... made it more about the films standing on their own merits and less about the hype, or how they were made. Probably something that's been debated a bunch before - just wanted to add my cents...Agreed.:beer:
Hell, I don't even think THREADS were started pre-upload/viewing. [/ahthegoodolddays]

[Matt Harris]

Awesome, thank you Jason! I don't care what the fest is, I was just using "Undead" and "Scare" to get the mods brainstorming.
Can't wait to see what you guys announce!

[Charli]

I wasn't a member that back but I think not starting threads until after upload keeps everyone on even ground. We see what we see when the film is up, no hype, no marketing, just make the movies. Sounds like a great way to keep the pressure off the directors and allow them to really get their team together and not worry about promoting the film before it's even up. I went in blind to view the last fest, didn't read a single post. Kinda liked it that way.

[Matt Harris]

I am of the complete opposite opinion. Without threads, there would no interaction between any of us for 4 months. I like the art of promotion, building anticipation, creating posters, filming BTS, describing the trials and tribulations of your shoots,
and keeping everyone updated. In fact I think the envelope should be pushed, I think we should be able to cut together 15 second teaser trailers. But I know that will never be allowed.

[Darkline]

A fall fest.... yay.

As for marketing, either way for me. Traditionally I don't like to post grabs for my shorts. When I have, I've chosen really boring frames...lol. Its 6 minutes and I like to keep everything under wraps until the film is online.

[Elton]

Agree with Matt. I like the hype, but it can be a dicey proposition for those who struggle to cross the finish line. (yours truly) The interaction on a thread is a good morale booster, and I think the marketing is part of the fun. It's all in how you play it.

And why not just keep the "All Hallows Eve" fest name and just badge it with the appropriate year. (All Hallows Fest 2011)

Monsters, maniacs, serial killers, vamps, zombies, werewolves, aliens, clowns, brooding teens, cannibals, (eating brooding teens), pestilence, evil corporations, mass hysteria, etc. It's all good. ;-)

[Chris_Keaton]

I like the thought of no promotion, but promotion is a serious part of this business and this is a good place to cut your teeth.

[Charli]

@ Elton - brooding teens, eating teens, now that's funny!

[CallaghanFilms]

I like the thought of no promotion, but promotion is a serious part of this business and this is a good place to cut your teeth....right, and the overly positive feedback...very real world. :evil:

[Noel Evans]

If the users to get behind it, promote it, encourage other users to enter .... more entries, bigger better fest.

[Chris Messineo]

Honestly, I'm down for whatever the next fest is - 48 Hour or Scare Fest. They both sound like fun.

Now that the VillainFest is over and I've had time to think about the fest, what struck me most was the absence of the mods in this fest. In the past, it seemed like they were always around, answering questions, writing reviews, and even entering. With this last fest, at times it felt like a bit of a ghost town.

I'd love to see the mods entering films again. I remember so many of their films from the past. They inspired me and I'm sure others too. If we could get a few of them involved in the next fest (whatever it is), I think it would really up the anticipation and the participation.

I'm reposting my own post, because I think it's important. I think it would be really great if we could get some MODs involved in whatever the next contest is.

[Jason Ramsey]

I think it would be really great if we could get some MODs involved in whatever the next contest is.

Personally, I've been attracted to the idea of it... but, as was pointed out in the o.p. there is an obvious perception of unfairness... either, that it is taking place behind the scenes, or b/c a mod is yellow, and thereby carries "more sway". Even though everything is on the up and up, it leaves an inescapable perception, and probably is not fair, for that at least.

I was having the thought that maybe we run a parallel mod fest with the dvxfests... where they can be part of the fests, and the whole process, and viewing and responding, etc... but, they compete in a separate category (for placement, prizes, bragging rights, whatever).... and, maybe even some sponsors would support the time the mods give to the site by chipping in for prize donations for their specific category as well...

and... if any of the "big boys" wanted to up their game, they could compete in the same category against the mods :)

I'm just spitballin'... I would like it, personally, if there was a way where the mods could participate as well (b/c most of them did before they ever became mods)... I feel it would be good all the way around, as long as we could somehow avoid any perceived, or possible unfairness in the process...

[pixelated]

Great Thread. Expresses many of the thoughts I've had. As someone who has never actually submitted, I question my cred to offer an opinion, but as an avid "consumer" of the entries, here's my shot from the bleachers for what it may be worth.

+1 on having the mods enter - on a full and equal footing with any other contestant. The more talent the better. Kudos' to whoever set up the judging - seems totally fair to all.

+1 on maintaining a full Fest schedule. Nice call to be making from the cheap seats where it doesn't cost me anything to enjoy the fruits of the selfless labor of others (Mods). They do a fantastic job and we really do need to find more ways to honor their service.

I totally agree that 48 hr fests are a totally different animal. Sounds to me like being sentenced to watching hours of locally produced used car commercials, but that's only my opinion. I can appreciate that this type of production might appeal to some, if so then bring it on - hopefully as a stand alone and not in competition with our beloved Fests.

This site has evolved into one of the true treasures of the internet for anyone interested in film production. The Fests are a most treasured part thereof and represent a learning and collaborative tool without equal. To all that facilitate or participate, know your passion and sacrifice is appreciated.

From the Bleachers with best wishes to all - :beer::beer:

[Curugon]

I'm just spitballin'... I would like it, personally, if there was a way where the mods could participate as well

Sounds great to me. Maybe some kind of mix-up? Regular users write scripts that the mods have to shoot? Or vice versa?

[Barry_Green]

To those who are unhappy with the 48-hr concept, I must ask -- have you ever seen the results of one of those contests? Because the type of things people are able to produce in 48 hours are usually really, really amazing. I don't know if there's any vault of past 48-hour fest winners, but I'd recommend googling around or attending the screening of one of those contests.

I mean, sure, you'll have some examples of horrible lameness, but to be fair we've had lots of those in our "full" festivals -- as with anything, there are those who will try hard, and those who will hardly try. But it's really impressive what a dedicated group can do with just 48 hours.

[Chris Messineo]

I understand why the limitation on MODs entering was put in place, but I think it would be much cooler if they could participate on the same level as everyone.

As I said before, these are really talented filmmakers and I firmly believe "a rising tide lifts all boats".

Honestly, I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't want them to participate?

[Barry_Green]

The rule was put in place to avoid any potential appearance of any manner of impropriety. But yeah, look at the list of mods -- Jack Daniel Stanley, Jason Ramsey, Noel Evans, Zak Forsman, John Hudson, Brandon Rice, Isaac Brody, Timur Civan, Larry Rutledge, Neil Rowe, Luis Caffesse, Stephen Mick, and lots of others -- that's a lot of filmmaking power that was taken off the table when that rule went into effect...

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

The rule was put in place to avoid any potential appearance of any manner of impropriety. But yeah, look at the list of mods -- Jack Daniel Stanley, Jason Ramsey, Noel Evans, Zak Forsman, John Hudson, Brandon Rice, Isaac Brody, Timur Civan, Larry Rutledge, Neil Rowe, Luis Caffesse, Stephen Mick, and lots of others -- that's a lot of filmmaking power that was taken off the table when that rule went into effect... But why? If memory serves they can still compete, even win! They just can't take home the prizes. Didn't Noel just help someone place recently?

I've said it before, prizes are nice but it shouldn't be what these festivals are about.

EDIT: Just wanted to add that I don't think they dropped out due to the prize rule, I assumed most of them got busy with bigger projects. I noticed threads started by a couple of the names on that list that never amounted to finished projects so I just assumed they were still allowed to enter, are they not?

[Chris Messineo]

The rule was put in place to avoid any potential appearance of any manner of impropriety. But yeah, look at the list of mods -- Jack Daniel Stanley, Jason Ramsey, Noel Evans, Zak Forsman, John Hudson, Brandon Rice, Isaac Brody, Timur Civan, Larry Rutledge, Neil Rowe, Luis Caffesse, Stephen Mick, and lots of others -- that's a lot of filmmaking power that was taken off the table when that rule went into effect...

That is an impressive list. Imagine if they were all in on a fest with the rest of us. It would be epic!

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

That is an impressive list. Imagine if they were all in on a fest with the rest of us. It would be epic!Again, I believe they have that option.

[majikfraug]

I'm sooo IN this fall fest. And sooo NOT in any 48 hour fest :) I guess I'm getting too old, as the fun and franticness don't outweigh the sub-par films produced (and I'm speaking of my own sub-par 48 hour films here).

[Darkline]

.. I would like it, personally, if there was a way where the mods could participate as well (b/c most of them did before they ever became mods)... I feel it would be good all the way around, as long as we could somehow avoid any perceived, or possible unfairness in the process...

I have no problem mods competing along with the rest of us. That would be good for the fests. I think they should be judged exactly the same, but maybe mod entrants should take temp leave from mod duties once the upload/voting is open. (for perceived fairness).


...right, and the overly positive feedback...very real world. :evil:

vote here for an anonymous comments page on the film, for those that opt for it. That'll be more real world public feedback - and we can leave thread discussion open for peers/film-makers.


To those who are unhappy with the 48-hr concept, I must ask -- have you ever seen the results of one of those contests? Because the type of things people are able to produce in 48 hours are usually really, really amazing. .

I'm sure 48 hours fests could be a great addition. Personally I struggled getting my last film made in months because I only had a crew of 2, so 48 hours wouldn't interest me, but it might be very popular. Maybe do a poll to see the interest?

[Jason Ramsey]

I have no problem mods competing along with the rest of us. That would be good for the fests. I think they should be judged exactly the same, but maybe mod entrants should take temp leave from mod duties once the upload/voting is open. (for perceived fairness).

my thinking on that would be the dvxfest mod section would be made invisible to any mods who had intent to participate. Also, Larry and myself would not be able to participate b/c we have access to, and follow the voting results. but, as far as I'm concerned all other mods could (if everyone was happy with a way of allowing that)...

but, honestly, don't want to turn it into a big discussion or debate again, or get anyone worked up over it...

Later,
Jason

[ZazaCast]

^^^^ http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn91/zazacast/asskiss.gif


:Drogar-Happy(DBG):

[Noel Evans]

And I could have sworn Noel Evans entered a fest recently

Last one I did was Thrillfest - but with the prize restriction. And I did lend a guiding hand to Matt Bennett for On Our Terms in ...... To continue I wish all the mods would enter the next fest, the reality however is that I think many just dont have the time.

[Stephen Mick]

I have an idea. And I might enter. :D We'll see.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I'm telling you, once people hear that the organizers and the people running the show can walk away with prizes ... It's doubtful that will help gain interest. I'm not in it for the prizes, I still have my unused Kessler credit I won a LONG time ago. People should enter for the love of making films, not the prizes.

There's no reason that the Mods had to stop entering films, in fact, they didn't. I think Larry did WestFest, Noel did Fiction Fest, as a DP. And some on that list weren't making films back when they could still win prizes. Prizes will no doubt help draw in new blood but the fact that the Mods disappeared from the Festivals in the form of running them is more likely the cause of the declining interest.

Again, not bashing, they're very busy, but nobody was around the last few festivals. Mods, come back, get creative and start making entries again. We're always preaching that people need to "just shoot!". Well, let's get back to it.

Especially some of those names that haven't entered in many years. Yeah, I'm calling you out. :)

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Last one I did was Thrillfest - but with the prize restriction. And I did lend a guiding hand to Matt Bennett for On Our Terms in ...... To continue I wish all the mods would enter the next fest, the reality however is that I think many just dont have the time.That was my assumption. I thought many had moved on to other projects.

[Charli]

I figured Mods hadn't entered because they are involved in other projects or have a ton of things to do outside of their spare time running this forum. I do however agree if you are a member, you should be allowed to enter. The fests have declined in recent years and it would be nice to see more enter regardless of who they are.

I see where giving prizes to Mods may be looked upon as a conflict of interest, but I see no reason why they can't jump into the kiddie pool and swim.

[AJ Brooks]

Personally, I've been attracted to the idea of it... but, as was pointed out in the o.p. there is an obvious perception of unfairness... either, that it is taking place behind the scenes, or b/c a mod is yellow, and thereby carries "more sway". Even though everything is on the up and up, it leaves an inescapable perception, and probably is not fair, for that at least.


The rule was put in place to avoid any potential appearance of any manner of impropriety. But yeah, look at the list of mods -- Jack Daniel Stanley, Jason Ramsey, Noel Evans, Zak Forsman, John Hudson, Brandon Rice, Isaac Brody, Timur Civan, Larry Rutledge, Neil Rowe, Luis Caffesse, Stephen Mick, and lots of others -- that's a lot of filmmaking power that was taken off the table when that rule went into effect...

Honestly, as a avid entrant to these fests, I would love nothing more than to be up against the best there is to offer on these forums. The "risk" that a MOD might be favored in voting is something I am more than willing deal with, and I don't think I'm alone here.

I just wanna see some awesome films in these fests. The MODS have good things to offer, for sure.

[Matt Harris]

ZaZa confided in me that he hopes to see as many Mods as possible participate in Scare Fest in some capacity, whether eligible for prizes or not,
even if it's just dropping by to review a few films.

[ZazaCast]

ZaZa confided in me that he hopes to see as many Mods as possible participate in Scare Fest in some capacity, whether eligible for prizes or not,
even if it's just dropping by to review a few films.

I did? Humm... we haven't talked about this one at all... :huh: News to me. Maybe it was another Zaza you were talking to? :happy:

All I remember saying about VillianFest was that there were no mod comments...they used to drop in and review films and it was good to hear what they had to say.
I'd like to see them view and review/critique the films like the old days. I always looked forward to hearing from that great group of talented filmmakers.

So, yes, I would like to see more mod involvement, but I also think, like any contest on the planet:

ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS. This Film Festival is open to all world citizens. Employees, officers and directors of Sponsors, its licensor and any other entity involved in the creation, promotion or administration of the Film Festival, and each of their respective partners, parent companies, divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, trustees, franchisees, licensees, advertising, promotion and public relations agencies and any relatives of, and those living in the same household, of any such employees, officers or directors shall not be eligible to participate in the Film Festival or win the Grand Prize. For the purposes of this Film Festival, relatives are defined as mother, father, in-laws, grandmother, grandfather, brother, sister, children and grandchildren.

IMHO

[Matt Harris]

Zaza I was just joking witcha.

[ZazaCast]

Zaza I was just joking witcha.

...yeah.... me too. :happy:

[Hawk Teflon]

ZaZa confided in me that...

I'm not sure we're on the same page with "confided in me" if you're telling everyone. :grin:

Just kidding, but yeah I'd like to see at least some comments from the mods. "Moral+10"

[HHL]

^^^^ http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn91/zazacast/asskiss.gif


:Drogar-Happy(DBG):

FREAKING laugh out loud!!!!!! Oh my goodness Zaza!!! :)