January 2005 Contest Topic?

[jmproductions13]

Anyone know what it is? I want to get an early start on it!

[Barry_S]

January will be open again--you pick the topic.

[Mino]

That rocks Barry>>>> ;D

[antomic]

my topic is flying to Thailand to watch PK make his next contest entry.

[Mino]

Thats funny...Seems to me you'd get more entries on an open topic. Just have to keep the five minute limit.

[HorseFilms]

So it'll follow the same rules as December?

[disjecta]

Let's make the prize an HD cam this time. Okay? :D

[disjecta]

By the way, I'd like to propose that we keep it open every month. I think it gives people more options and will encourage more entries.

[HorseFilms]

By the way, I'd like to propose that we keep it open every month. I think it gives people more options and will encourage more entries.
I agree. I know I'll be more likely to enter more of these if I can choose what my subject will be.

[GenJerDan]

Open-topic...hmmmm...causes dilemmas. Like Driving Miss Daisy competing with LotR. Obviously, it can be done, but...

I'd like to see open-genre but with some element being mandatory. Like...um...er...ok. Everyone has to be wearing red. We all love shooting reds, don't we?

Or must take place outdoors. Or at night. Or be a monologue (no matter how many actors there are). Or be "Boy Meets Girl" (in the theme sense).

Things like that. Something that we can look at and "judge", even if we don't particularly care for the genre.

Dan

[J_Barnes]

Indeed...I like the idea of making it open topic, but requiring certain elements...thus everyone is required to start fresh and can't pull out any old short sitting on the shelf.

Your film must include one drawing of a monkey, a chicken sandwich as one of the plot items and an overhead shot somewhere in the final product.

[Kirk Gillock]

Interesting GenJerDan and J. I like open topic too. But, quoting something Barry Green told me, "Creativity doesn't come from freedoms, it comes from limitations." *Having a required object, color, or sandwich would make all of us think harder and work harder.

I love this site. It really makes me think and want to a better filmmaker, ..and a better person.

GROUP HUG!!

Thank you all. Now, ...I have to go. ...There's something in my eye. :'(

[disjecta]

Creativity comes from limitations. I think the limitation in this case is the time given to shoot.

[lincolnlog]

I agree. (has anyone seen the 5 obstructions?)
those short film festivals that create limitations on are very fun
I think that changing the elements every month would be awesome
maybe doing a genre flick or leaving it open, but putting a mandatory character or prop or line of dialogue.
picking one or more random element could spark some major creativity

examples of generic character: cab driver, bouncer, advice columnist.
examples of prop: large suitcase, snow globe, electric fan
examples of dialogue: "is that the best you've got?" "I was lied to and very much deceived." "when you say it like that, its almost poetry."
(48 hour film festival examples)

what do you guys think?

[Barry_S]

The previous incarnation of the contest had specific themes, but I think it may have been inhibiting and somewhat confusing. We had 14 entries this month, which is almost ideal. If there are less than 5 entries or more than 20, then we've got a problem, so the overall goal is to keep the entries in a reasonable range. If we get 20+ entries in January, then we'll definitely add some conditions to narrow things down a bit. If we get 10 entries, then I'd be careful about adding requirements. My gut feeling is to alternate an open theme with a broad requirement every other month, but let's see how January goes.

[lincolnlog]

sounds good barry. your the man ;D

[Mino]

Creativity comes from limitations. I think the limitation in this case is the time given to shoot.


I agree with Disjecta on this point, maybe we should determin the next major contes rules for march now, next months rules would be for april and so on in the mean time we have open catagory til April. That would give three months production time for contest entries beginning with march...Just a thought.

[Kirk Gillock]

Sounds good Barry.

Since I'm relatively new to the board (3 months old). Can someone give me an idea of previous contests and contest winners? Are there links to the movies? Or just a brief review. I tried to find info on past contests but it's like trying to find a needle in a.. Sleestack.

Barry, if you want, I can create a web page for future contests. We can place it on the DVXuser server and link to it in the forums. All entries can have a grab from their movie (they submit it) a brief description (runtime, genre, etc.) and a link to download. Just 1 web page (with a nice DVXuser Film Festival banner). If entries are submitted at the end of the month, I can work on the web page and have it up by the time you all wake up the next morning! :) What do you think?

[antomic]

just to further that thought... not complaining, but i am finding it a bit tedious to bounce around three different areas here to follow what's going on regarding the contest. i thought that's why there is a contest forum on the first page. but then i need to jump into the cafe, then over to film discussions as well. why not keep everything pertaining to contests under Contests? :-[

[disjecta]

I understand your frustration but I believe this is an attempt to promote the contest as much as possible. It took me 3 months to even find the contest link on this board because it's so far down the list.

The reason for having the discussion area under Film Discussion is to clearly separate what people are saying from those who haven't seen the entries so they can make an untainted decision and then go somewhere else to discuss it.

Let's face it, the temptation is too great to see what discussion is going on if the link was right under the polls.

[Neil Rowe]

i think disjecta is right, ..i think the splitting of the discussion and the poll voting is a good idea. but ..splitting the links from the poll voting is a bit odd. i thin they should stay together in the "contest" area, and perhaps we can get Jarred to move the contest area up top with the news and such so its noticed and viewed alot more and people trying to do the whole contest thing arent lost in space as to where to go or what to do as much. i still fumble around trying to remember what is where from this last time. we can always just post stickys in more noticeable places to point attention to the correct locations as well.

[Kirk Gillock]

I really think the fesival is a good idea, it just needs to be organized better. Visit the Contest section (I'll wait).

http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=contest

Look at the first 7 threads. There's moderators threads mixed in with *members threads. *("This months subject," but it was started back in November, "Guidelines" and "Poll for Guidelines", etc.) Imagine if you're a new member. Where do you click? It's time to clean house.

IDEA #1
I can make us a web page which contains links and descriptions of current entries, along with a link for voting (the poll), and posting reviews (film discussion thread). We could also have a link with current guidelines for this months contest. The web page would be the hub for all things DVX Fest. People can bookmark it and it will ALWAYS contain info about the current guidelines, contest, etc. Just post 1 thread (lock it down) under the contest section that links to the web page.

When a film festival is currently playing, maybe Jarred could place a banner in the header that links to the web page (DVX Film Festival Jan.1st-7th, Sponsored by EVS). That way the thousands of guests who visit the site could see the film festival and enjoy the site even more. *They will think, "WOW! This DVXuser site really kicks (POWERWORD!). They have their act together."

IDEA #2
Delete the current "Contests" forum. Get rid of it! Start a new forum named "DVXuser Film Festival" same place as before. Lock it down so NEW threads can not be created by members. Have 3 permanent threads. Poll & Links (will be combined into one thread, Neil R is right), Current Contest (for guidelines), and Reviews (for feedback or keep it in the film discussion forum). Lock "Poll & Links" and "Current Contest" so nobody can post. Moderators will modify them each month (not create new ones). The Reviews thread will be open and each month Moderators will create a new thread for that months festival. That way there's a history of previous months, nicely organized.

Of course I am not sure if all of this is technically possible. But I have seen threads locked and even deleted completely.

IDEA #3
I shut up. :-X

I really think if we organize the DVX Fest it will become one of the more popular sections. It will also bring in new visitors and members. Just my .01 cent! (Trying to save money.)

If you need help, I have plenty of free time. *Let's Do it, do it!

[disjecta]

I really like IDEA #3

Oh I'm just kidding, I couldn't resist. ;D

I think IDEA #2 is a really good one.

[dakotapod]

Idea 1 is nice but I don't think off campus pages is desired. I think. :-/

Idea 3 is unacceptable! >:(

Idea 2. There are various contests so I would suggest just adding a new topic top of main page "This months festival" When it has passed it's time move it to the contest area. Rinse and repeat as needed... :-/

[Frizzle Fry]

Idea #2 is excellent. Very easy, clean, and there will be no possibility for confusion. Thanks for addressing this, P.K.

[J.R. Hudson]

Sounds great to me. I have always said "I wish this little Fest was Pimped properly."

A banner would be EPIC.

Jarred!?

[antomic]

PK's idea 2 sounds good. locked topics, posting links. correctly labeled by month. not "This Month's Contest"

i do understand keeping discussions separate from voting...but they should all be remotely in a similar place. Contests is a category. anything pertaining to a specific contest should be locked and link to the master thread or only exist in one place.

embarrassingly, i hounded Barry_S on jan 1 about the voting links not being posted...little did i know, i was the only one checking CONTESTS for that info. there was a thread under film discussions or in the cafe with the EXACT title that everyone else was posting to, including Barry, stating what was up. had i known to look there, i wouldnt have been asking so many questions, feeling intrusive.

Instinctively, I'm looking in contests for info on contests, and links on contests, and discussions on contests.

I'm linear that way. ;)

[Barry_S]

Ack! *I just spent 20 minutes on a long response thread and it got trashed before I posted it. *Ok, the short version, then. *:D

Lots of good suggestions here and I'll keep monitoring this thread. *I promise to streamline the contest a bit and make sure things are clear. *I agree the Contest Forum is a mess and I will clean it up as soon as Jarred grants me mod priviledges there.

I posted the links and the polls in the Cafe because of the high volume of traffic there. *Additionally, I posted the links in the News and Contest forums for promotion. *I think the film discussion forum is entirely appropriate to discuss the films and serves to separate the discussion from the voting process. *Additionally, I think spreading the contest over several forums has helped create more interest and a buzz. *Traditionally, the Contest forum has seen little traffic, even during Contests, so I wanted to expand the reach.


This is easily the most sucessful contest we've had--more films, more comments, more votes, so I think it's basically on track. *Can it be improved and streamlined? *Absolutely! *There are some great features in YaBB 2 like global announcements that would be great for the contest. *Hopefully, Jarred will upgrade us to YaBB 2 when they get the bugs for converting large forums ironed out.

Until then, I'll work on making things as clear as possible given the current forum structure. *It'll also be easier when people get used to the new format after a few months. *

[Kirk Gillock]

Sounds good. I think it was good to place links in the popular sections. You even put one in the Grabs/Clips section. A banner (only during the week of the festival) might promote it even further. It would be rotated in all the sections and also provide extra advertising to the sponsor.

Congrats on the success of the current contest Barry. Have you voted yet? Because I really think the BEST, SMARTEST, and MOST HANDSOME member should vote too.

[antomic]

And although we are all throwing out future suggestions here, let's not let that overshadow the effort that barry put in to making this a fun contest to participate in. having very little spare time myself, i for one, really appreciate ANY time put toward an event like this.

thanks again.

[Barry_S]

P.K.--you really want that fisheye, don't you? ;D Your film is justly popular. Ok, we'll try for a banner, but I hate to burden Jarred with additional stuff since he's gotten so busy.

antOmic--Thanks for entering, your short is just plain amazing. The animation/compositing work is seamless, and I've watched it frame by frame.

[antomic]

thanks barry...inspiration to do more. and get even better!

EDIT: that was said as humble as possible, if it didnt read that way.

[disjecta]

Barry, do you need anything at the store? 8)

So have you figured out what the prize is going to be this month?

[Barry_S]

Ok, Jarred just gave me the mod priviledges for the Contest forum, so I'll clean things up this weekend (and proudly announce the contest winners).

Disjecta--I've got as pretty good idea of the prize for January and I'll announce it this weekend when I clean up all the notices. There's also going to be a *killer* best of 2005 prize.

[dakotapod]

*killer* best of 2005 prize.

Oooooh - I just heard hundreds of folks pee a little :)

[antomic]

HA! i think i woke the neighbors laughing so loud!

[J.R. Hudson]

Barry S

At the end of 2005

can we have a Best Film, Director, DP, Score etc etc etc ?

Out own private Academy Awards?

All it would take is a simple webapge with a vote list?

[disjecta]

I think that's a great idea John.

[wesley]

i agree with the comments, that the contest should be more clearly posted. 1 forum - for duscussing the contest, the links, the voting. no jumping back and forth bewteen threads and forums.

i'd like participate in the contest, but i'm currently helping someone that's making a short to get into the dutch film academy. and jan 10th school starts again and we to start our graduation project (10-15min short)

[Barry_S]

John--Definitely! I was thinking about doing it for this month, but that's probably going overboard. Doing a slate of awards at the end of the year is a very cool idea though. We should come up with a list of categories--maybe a few less than the Acadamy Awards. :D

[J.R. Hudson]

Just a few less :P ::) :D

This is great Barry! Thanks for spearheading this.

All it would take for a VOTE in Categories is a simple link with a VOTE system in place.

I hope ZOMBIES are cool for this months short!

[monte]

I really think the BEST, SMARTEST, and MOST HANDSOME member should vote too.

I already voted man, don't worry

[Neil Rowe]

.. i really like the #2 idea , and as far as promoting the fesitval in other threads, i think that we could just have a new sticky and locked post there statng whats going on, and containing a link to the info anf guidlines and all in the contest section. the banner would be best. best o 05' awards sounds very cool john. great idea. i think barrys done a great job already with the results of this last contest so thanks to barry again, and i think it will continue to get better as we refine and simplify the process using our collective brain.

[speedbump]

The bald guy with the orange bathrobe speaks wisdom.

I really like idea #2, and I like it because it is being called a 'Festival.' I like that concept, that we have our own film festival, it is has a much more 'open' feel than a 'contest.' Also I think more people will tune in to that kind of topic header. And more participation is better!

Barry is on task for making this festival thread simplified. Hurrah!

People, I am very excited about how this is evolving. Just one of many reasons why the DVXUSER community is a unique and wonderful asset.

Let's see, I bet my crew can come up with something this time around...

[Bischofftep]

A question for clarification!

As you are all aware, the pre-production portions of a video can be just as long if not longer than the production & post. If a piece is planned out for 2 months, then shot & finished in the contest month, can it be considered a contest entry?

Just checking: I got stuff in the works but it's all going to take a few months in planning first!

Thanks to those who take the time to organize this, and to our sponsors for their generous backing with prize stuff!

[Barry_S]

No time limit on pre-production as long as all the footage is shot and edited during the DVXFEST month. Some months will have a theme and there will be varying amounts of advance notice.

For those of you keeping up with the Contest forum, July will be DVXFEST: The Zombie Edition. For July, any film that predominantly features ZOMBIES or the UNDEAD and that is shot and completed between January 2005 and July 2005 will be eligible to enter. Note that the normal requirement of films having to be completely shot and edited during the DVXFEST month is waived.

[Cheesesailor77]

that has been my concern

I liked the themes, because it prevented ppl from entering their epics they've been working on for 4 months. Saying it has to include a stopwatch and and a flowergirl made sure everyone was on the same level.

ooooooooo, Zombie fest! awesome. Is there a limit on running time?
also, is this a contest or a fest, i think it would be cool to keep the contests seperate and just have an awesome fest for somethung like this, keep the competative spirit at the door and just praise eachothers work

[Neil Rowe]

.. i unfortunately agree. * im hard pressed to believe that people would adhere to the "produced in the month of the contest" rule without some sort of regulatory and limiting factor that is presented each month. .. while id like to just trust all my fellow filmmakers here. we all know that that would be .. well, * stupid. * *with real prizes at stake, there should really be some sort of countermeasure against someone simply saying that somthing was done all that month.
i have no problem with preproduction being done earlier.. we all have ideas in our heads and maybe even a well oiled idea. but the simple and open ended themes is a great and easy way to at least attempt to promote some form of regulated equal playing feild. i really like the open them to encourage entry, but i dont see how saying that it needs to have a "picture and a glass of milk" in it somehow is going to really limit anyone creatively in what theem or style they want to shoot. .. if not the ingredients there should be som way of regulating the time alotted , as it is integral to the contest/festival. and bears a huge amount of weight on the ability to sway the outcome concerning winnings.

[disjecta]

A theme presents limitations that may not be good all the time. What happens if someone has a great idea for a short that somehow doesn't fit into any of the themes for the year? While I am generally supportive of the idea of limitations because I think it's a good discipline, we are also potentially excluding a lot of great entries into this competition.

[Neil Rowe]

..i agree. a theme.. like the "zombie month" is limiting to some peoples particular ideas or style or genre of filmmaking. not that i have an issue with it .. but others might. but saying that you need a banana or a clock in it isnt limiting in any way..just stick a banana on the shlef in the background somewhere, or whatever. as long as its not cut in in some quick cut-away. it should be generally accepted that it was during the production time that the ingredient was included.

[disjecta]

I can agree to that.

[Barry_S]

Cheesesailor--DVXFEST is a monthly short film festival and even though there will be prizes, I'm shifting the emphasis away from contest and more toward festival. The 5 minute limit is still in place for July DVXFEST: The Zombie Edition.

Neil and Steve--The February DVXFEST will have both a theme and a mandatory object. I'd like to mix things up in terms of themed and non-themed festivals, but I'll consider including the manadatory object as a requirement. I've thought long and hard about the cheating aspect and have come to the conclusion that there has to be some element of trust. If the object is a jar pf pickles, someone could just insert a cutaway of a jar of pickles in an older film. A newspaper? The date could be easily faked with a bit of compositing. I guess it does make it somewhat harder to cheat.

[antomic]

AW MAN!!!! now what am i going to do?! that was my idea!!!
here's a grab from my next film!

http://homepage.mac.com/antomic/.Pictures/scarnana.jpg

;D

[disjecta]

:D LOL

[Barry_S]

That was an old requirement. Next month, you'll need to include an albino Clydesdale, a spork, and Minnie Driver. ;)

[antomic]

you didnt see the next frame yet!

http://homepage.mac.com/antomic/.Pictures/scarminnie.jpg

early submission...did i win?

[disjecta]

Man, you on form today! 8)

[antomic]

;D

[Barry_S]

Oh, my sides are hurting from the laughter! I'm going to have to come up with a special award for you.

[BLUESPIDER]

dang, antomic! You even took the time to add the shadow on the horse.. ;D

[antomic]

shadow was easy...finding a horse was hard...

[Cheesesailor77]

understandbly there will have to be some element of trust, but as for the argument that specific objects limit good entries is rediculous, this is a contest, added a them or more likely an object or character (I agree that "theme" can limit how u go about it significantly) is what makes it a game.

Anyone who has a great idea that month is in no way discorages from making it and displaying it on these boards for all to see. If the idea doesnt fit with the contest that month, then he's just not eligable for the prize.

I mean the point of this contest i originally thought (and think should be) that u get the idea, write, shoot, and edit THIS month, I suppose i agree that if u want to prepro for longer thats fine as long as u shoot THIS month, but really the great equalizer is that this is just something u do on ur spare time, all in one month

Dont think that this limits creative projects coming into this community, because new material is there for us to see everyday in the screen grabs section, I feel the contests should be different

[Kirk Gillock]

I agree. And adding requirements does not limit creativity, it makes you have to be more creative. As a wise man once said.

I haven't read anything about who is sponsoring this months contest. What are the prizes?

[dakotapod]

who is sponsoring this months contest. What are the prizes?

Don't get greedy PK ;)

[Kirk Gillock]

;D *I could submit an epic this month and wouldn't get 1 vote. It's like Survivor, there's no way to win 2 of them. Even if you have alliances.

Also, I think the contest rules say, "You can only use beginners luck once."

[antomic]

we'll i'm certainly voting for myself from now on! >:(

[antomic]

;D

[greeches]

any chance a 6 min production will fly? I just can't cut out anymore!! :)

[Barry_S]

You can *always* cut a little more. The rules say 5 minutes, but I think 5 minutes and *something* would be okay. ;) I just saw a contest that had a size (in megs) requirement rather than a length requirement. I thought that was kind of interesting, although I suppose we'd run the risk of someone of entering a 30 by 50 pixel feature length film.

[greeches]

sweet! Thanks, i fear with any less, it won't be fully understood. I'm gonna cut some more still.


;D

[antomic]

sweet! *Thanks, i fear with any less, it won't be fully understood. *I'm gonna cut some more still.


;D

greech...cut cut cut...5 minute rule is 5 minute rule...

5 minutes is too long in 90% of "shorts" anyway.

i watched your "oatmeal" that could have been half as long.

cut, my friend...cut...

:D

[Cheesesailor77]

yeah as i was saying in my post at the top, rules are what separates the contests from the grabs forum

make that puppy 5 min, if u cant, then oh well, we'll all still enjoy it in the grabs forum and u'll have a wonderfull piece of work under ur belt, but not elegibility for this contenst, thats all

[Neil Rowe]

..yeah, i say 5 min firm.
rules are part of what makes a contest/festival real. ..as far as the themes. i dont really have issue with them. my only concern is that it could take away from the participation in the festivals as in the past. otherwise i dont mind the idea of themes. it would certainly help control the potential cheat factor, and if the participation still stays high, and the themes are kept pretty general i think it adds another flavor to an otherwise potentially bland ongoing festival. however, i do think themes should be limited at least to every other month so every other month is open theme. :)

[Barry_S]

Neil--exactly my thoughts on the theme issue. When there are themes, they'll be very general and they'll alternate with open entry months. The whole idea is to keep the interest level high and the barriers to entry low.

[Neil Rowe]

..thats cause we connect on a stellar level barry_s .. were like peas in a pod.. of couse we sleep at different ends of the pod.. and well, .... you dont always ask me if i want some dinner when youve mad a nice savory meal, and ive been editing all day and i just sit and stare acrossed the pod at your food and you look at me and say "this is a great recipe.. you should try it sometime" and all i can think is .."i want to try it now.. im hungry" and then you finish eating it and put it in the fridge and i have to get up late at night and eat part of it and leave the fridge door open and the lid on the floor so i can say the cat did it in the morning and then you get mad at the cat andyell at it and i feel bad and try to defend the cat but then your wondering why im defending the cat so i decide to go along with you, and i yell at the cat, and the cat gets scared and pees on the floor, and then i go to clean it up and slip in some i didnt see and hit my head, and wake up and its all a bad dream and im snug alseep on the other side of the pod.


..so anyway thats why we came to the same conclusion on the subject. ..it all makes sense now.

[Barry_S]

;D LOL! Neil, you're always welcome to share my dinners--I thought you didn't like my lentil and potato vindaloo, otherwise I would have given you a big plate. Don't beat yourself up about the cat, it pees on the floor everynight regardless. You're a great podmate, except for the times I have to put on my MDR-7506 headphones and hum loudly to myself in order to block out certain sounds. The pod membranes are probably thinner than you realize. I do like the skylight you put in at your end--nice work.

[Neil Rowe]

LOL.. ... :-/ sniffle.. sniff.. thanks man, your the .. best .. podmate.. ever. :'(

[disjecta]

I do believe you have finally gone mad, Neil.

I think your new screen name should be IAMINSANE.

[Neil Rowe]

lol :P

[greeches]

do credits and such count in the 5 mins?

[disjecta]

Yes, I believe they do. Your film in total has to be 5 mins. I'd recommend, for this competition, you just leave your credits out. You can post the entire thing in the Screen Grabs section once the competition is over.

[greeches]

cool, good idea, thanks!

[dakotapod]

Or if you want to give credit where credit is due you could change the rolling credits (just for the contest version) on your entry to just a quick card or two.

[J.R. Hudson]

I'm totally bummed and was unable to get something for this month; sick for 10 + days this month plus major DOWNTIME/SERVER issues at my work (I own company). Excuses, I know.

I cant wait to see what we have this month and there is a shoot scheduled this weekend (Undead stuff) but I'll cater the shoot towards a DVXFEST Short.

[greeches]

I hear ya man. I barely made the deadline. Work got crazy with customers moving buildings, had to move all technologies with them...ugh.. Planned shoot mid month, did it weekend before last, and just got it in yesterday. I'm totally down wiith doing a Zombie film this summer. in fact, I'm planning on it. :)