One minute short contest idea

[Dan_Lahav]

I think it would be cool if there were monthly contests based on certain themes. For example, if the theme was "nature" or something, we'd make a one minute short based on that. I think some websites are already doing this... but anyways, i think it would be pretty neat to see what the people on this board can do. As for myself, I know it would motivate me to go out there and shoot! What do you all think?

[J.R. Hudson]

I think it is a great idea. We should get the discussions going. Set the rules and parameters and do it.

I think a 1 minute short monthly fest would kick! And yes, it would most definately motivate alot of people including myself!

Well? Let's discuss people!

[Neil Rowe]

i like.. the biggest issue would be where to post the vids, cuase alot of people have no place to post.

[Zoomforce]

Yeah we have been talking about a festival for some time now, but logistics seems to always quash it. This idea of a 1 minute thing is completely doable!

Hell even if we dont get any companies to pony up some prized I can just give out batteries or something to the winners :)

[J.R. Hudson]

Surely there are some companies down the road that would be willing to hook up? Especially if they could be "This months SPONSOR". Perhaps they could have a lil Banner on the site for the month for donating a prize?

But those details could come later (Id hate to see this lil event get stalled over those kinds of details)

I think it should definatley be a DVXuser event (Must be shot with the DVX).

As far as bandwidth and hosting? I see 2 scenarios here. Most of us have a place to host videos. For those who dont, perhaps Jarred could pony up some space (This space would be only for that month and would be replaceble space in that it is not an indefinate free host for persons video.)

Im just thinking outloud and of course this is soley up to Jarred.

Another thought is, if you aint got no space, thats not our problem, right? I mean, doesnt yahoo and other similar sites offer free sites or at least cheap sites? Surely they can hold a 1 minute or so video?

Id like the contest to encompass a theme in that it would be interesting to see everyones take on an Exact Subject.

I also think it would be better if the lentgh of time was:

No less than 1 Minute and No more than 5 Minutes.

Anyway...

Anyone?

[Neil Rowe]

you guys are gonna make me break down and buy some web space if this is a go.. .. or .. wait a minute. .i might have a connection that i can use some space through.. and still retain my loserdom of not having any web space.. yeah.. gotta keep that loserdom. .. anyway, i think the 1-5 min thing is cool. perhaps we could even apply some KINO rules for some months like .. :there is no specific subject for the project, but it has to involve/ somehow include or be about a breifcase, and a letter. -- or somhing like that anyway you get the idea, but otherwise having a common subject is always cool as well!

[J.R. Hudson]

Yes, exactly IAL.

A Basic set of guidelines...

But the interpetation is up to the filmmaker. Like:

"A brieface causes confusion.."

[Dan_Lahav]

Wow, im glad you guys like the idea. My poor lonely DVX seems to be gathering dust here. It needs to be used dammit!

I agree; web space is an issue. I'd have nowhere to put the video. Hrmmmmmm, i might just have to give in and buy some web space as well.

As far as prizes- thatd be awsome if a sponsor could give the prize. Heck, it would motivate people to buy more gear to make their shorts look more pro ;D I'd hate for Jarred to have to use up all his batteries.

I like that idea IAL- just giving very subtle guidelines and seeing where it goes. Maybe we can trade up between a general theme and a something very subtle like you just mentioned.

I'm excited! ;D ;D

[J.R. Hudson]

I can talk to my wife and see if she will sponsor a month

www.somaticoptics.com

Poloraized shades look cool on set. :D

Well, lets keep talking! When is a proposed start? It is already March 12th. We could have the offical 1st one DUE by April 15th?

What about submissions fro review? I say we have it rated by users and reviewers.

I wonder if each month we could have a poll, like:

BEST FILM? and then people vote?

[Dan_Lahav]

john- those shades are bitchin ;D

I think we should rate the films like the oscars and hire billy crystal. Best actor/actress in a leading role, art direction, cinematography, costume design..... ;)

hrmmm I guess one of those "poll" thingies would work, right?

[J.R. Hudson]

Yeah baby!

I agree (although Im not sure if we can get Crystal. Ill make some calls)

But, yes, we could have a thread(s) devoted to the monthly fest and i agree:

Best Picture
Best Cinemtography
etc

[Dan_Lahav]

lol i was kind of joking, but hey that could work! it just wont be the same without billy <sigh> :'(

[Neil Rowe]

drum roll please.. and the "dvx'er" goes toooo..... ...milkprod.
lol

[J.R. Hudson]

:D

Milkprod!

Bwhahahahahahahahahahhahahah!!!!!!

[Dan_Lahav]

http://voodoo1694.50megs.com/Untitled-3.jpg

[Zoomforce]

1 minute clips.. I have no problem payng the beans for that... its not that big of a deal.. they should only be about 5megs each.

I am just tired of talking about this crap and not getting it done.. we got so much talent around here it would be nice to showcase.

So... its a go. Let me make some calls.

[Zoomforce]

oh and since Dan put some fire under our buts he gets to pick the first theme.

[Barry_Green]

Hey, this is a pretty cool idea. I'd definitely like to see what people come up with, especially if the central theme is left up to significant interpretation (i.e., "a man comes home and finds his children doing something he never expected", or whatever).

As far as categories, I don't know that it's necessary, I think "best film" is enough. Truthfully, you may only get two or five entries every month (I mean, the "personal pages" only got three entries, didn't it?) Adding the pressure of different categories, someone thinking they have to compete in cinematography, etc., might make it more intimidating. Let's just see people have fun with it!

As for prizes, you gotta have a certificate (even if it's one you print up on your computer) and a title, so the winner can then claim they're an award-winning filmmaker. (and heck, it'd probably carry more legitimacy than some of the "award mills" out there). A battery or something like that would be a great incentive. Getting someone like Final Draft to sponsor it would be wonderful too, if possible...

[Zoomforce]

yeah im wrangling some sponsors as we speak.

There is only 1 cat. that is enough and goes with the whole idea.

Also, the videos will need to be all encoded in one format, either WMV or MOV, we need to choose 1. That may be hard. Dont even suggest Real format because if someone sends me a Real player format Ill send you back a Virus :)

[Dan_Lahav]

I was thinking we'd start with something easy to get the ball rolling so everyone (newbs and pros) can do it without worrying about having all the right gear, actors, mics etc. Just the DVX and the shooter if you get my drift. However, if you are fortunate enough to own tons of fancy equipment, have access to actors, etc. use them to your benefit! *;D

I love the city and thought maybe we can start off with some sort of "city" montage... Perhaps a story that takes place around the city or just an artisitic interpretation. Anything your heart desires. I dont want to go too in depth because i'll be limiting peoples creativity...so just go with it. *

Theme: City life.

What do you all think?

[PurposeDriven]

I Live in the Suburbs ;D

[kai]

I like this whole idea for the contest. Once all the entries are in, shouldn't they all be posted on one page together instead of a million links spread out throughout a long thread? Then there could be one forum where everyone comes and votes/discusses. I'm just thinking of how to keep it simple and organized....

[PurposeDriven]

Here Here!

[Zoomforce]

dont worry Kai.. Im making a completely seperate place for this. :)

[J.R. Hudson]

IM down with all of these ideas:

I would like a little more idea than "City Life" however...

1. Narrow dwon a legit theme

2. Submission Deadline


3. Winner Announcement (As voted by peers)

4. Prize distro'd

[Zoomforce]

yes sorry Dan.. that theme sounds a little weak.. although it would be nice to see where everyone is from heh heh, but we have alot of members that dont live close to a city.

[Dan_Lahav]

john/jarred- im purposefully making it vague so people can do their own thing to begin with. Basically the shoot must involve the city, whether it be streets, alleys, clubs, the homeless, all of the above, etc. Do what you like, just as long as it involves some aspect of the city.

If you dont have a city nearby, use the burbs or town you live in. be creative.

I've seen several good things that have been displayed in the "cafe" section of this board ie:

City:
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX/YaBB.cgi?board=Clips;action=display;num=1078991842

Burbs:
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX/YaBB.cgi?board=Clips;action=display;num=1078221526

[J.R. Hudson]

Thats cool (If Jarred concurs)...

If Jdogg says you make the rule, then make the rule. Winner of each month after makes the new contest rule (Parameters)

Jarred, its up to you ultimately. Lets get this ball rolling. Obviously, other than a theme:

1. Prize (We have to get sponsors; my wife alreafy okay'd sponsoring a month with free shades or whatever; I know, I know, no big deal; but hey, free is free!
2. Submission Due Date
3. Awards

4. Next monthly film contest!

[Dan_Lahav]

aww cmon john wheres the love. i think it's a great idea

[Zoomforce]

yeah.. the winner choosing the next theme is something i thought of a few posts ago but didnt include.. or did I? anyways your on the same page.

And yes.. since Dan got the ball rolling this one we can roll with, I think it is a little vague and hopefully they become a little more focused, but its a start, something we didnt have before.

[Dan_Lahav]

ugh i just cant make everyone happy :'( I'll make my damned city montage without you! :P

Fine, here's the new theme 2.0 :

"Have you ever had the feeling you were being watched?"

better? worse?

Oh yeah, do you think we can start the contest next week, i'm going on spring break vacation ;D

[J.R. Hudson]

LOL

Much better! I love it!

Where should we post the OFFICIAL THREAD? (HOw about HERE and the CAFE?)
What does the WINNER get? (JArred mentioned a battery? My wife will hook up with some kick ass polarized shades as well)
When are SUBMISSIONS DUE? (How about 3 weeks from now?)
WHEN are the final results revealed? (March 15th? And the day results are revealed, the winner announces the next months rules)

[Dan_Lahav]

Glad you like it john. I live to please *:P

So when do we start?

[J.R. Hudson]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I am so wireless right now with a buzz. *I turned off Godfather 2 and put on Aliens. *My brother is 'passed out' on the couch snoring! *LOL

Oh, sorry. *Back to the topic!

Ill post it tomorrow (Im too tired/drunk right now for long post). *Pretty sure Jarred will hook up with Battery (Yes Jarred?)

Anyway, Ill post some detailed action tomorrow! *This is a great idea as that I think alot of us are not living up to the potential! *So, tomorrow, look for post HERE and in CAFE. *THe theme will be "Ever have the feeling you were being watched?"

Prizes: *Battery and Shades from www.somaticoptics.com

Contest winner announced April 15th
Submissions due on April ? 9th ? which is 4 weeks, right?
DVX only (No punk ass sonys or Xl1's!) lol

And Dan, I might need you and your mic for a day! lol lol lol

And Dan? Thanks for bringing this topic back to light! We all want to be filmmakers, so, kets start being productive and making films!!!!!

[PurposeDriven]

Don't forget length... obviously ;D

I say all us SoCal users UNITE!!!

[Zoomforce]

man you guys are impatient lol... give me a few days its the weekend.

and 2 minutes?

[PurposeDriven]

All the more reason for you to have more time to get us our contest ;)

[Elvis]

Is this a 1 minute short? ???

[J.R. Hudson]

I dont know! :o

[Elvis]

5 pages can be really long! 8)

[Zoomforce]

ok.. 1 minute or 2.. someone decide quick.

[J.R. Hudson]

2

[Zoomforce]

2 it is.

[Elvis]

One more thing guys. No unlicensed music. Triggerstreet caught all hell for it!. They still do! 8)

[J.R. Hudson]

Good call Elvis.

[Neil Rowe]

..so does the short have to be 2 min, or is it 1 min minimal, and 2 min max?..

[J.R. Hudson]

Thats what I was thinking...

Anyone?

[PurposeDriven]

Just decide already!! :)

[Dan_Lahav]

i say 1 min, 3 max

he he ;D

hey wait a minute... im in san francisco... im supposed to be on vacation......what the hell! ???

[Neil Rowe]

i vote 1-2 min.. i would vote a flat 1 min, but thats really not that long at all.

[Barry_Green]

Anything up to 2 minutes.

[kai]

00:01:24:13

[J.R. Hudson]

KAI said it perfectly. `

[PurposeDriven]

Can i have 1 more frame?

[J.R. Hudson]

There's always someone trying to take advantage...

Sigh...

[Monglane]

John and/or Jarred, could we please have all the rules summarized in one post... possibly in another, dedicated thread ? ::)

Thanks a lot !

[J.R. Hudson]

As soon as the details are worked out!

[Zoomforce]

John you can post the rules here.. they wont change right now, since me and you are the first sponsor we make the rules this time around :)

[VictorE]

Good Idea-
I will be willing to donate $500.00 towards prize. I would almost donate this damn paperweight 100A that i'm stuck with, but i'm still giving panny a chance to make it right-not send me to service center,but make me happy DIRECTLY. (jan?) See, I am one of the good guys- and I still will donate 5 bills to our contest pot, anyway.

[Dan_Lahav]

whoa, are you serious? Give this guy a round of applause! ;D

[J.R. Hudson]

"Golf clap"

[J.R. Hudson]

And I second that. Jan, you really need to get some WEST COAST service action going.

No really.

[Neil Rowe]

so does this mean i won the 500.00 victor? i can give you my paypal detials if so :)

[J.R. Hudson]

Yeah Victor! Hook up baby! :o :D

[booggerg]

City life eh?? sounds great!!! Me having just moved to Chicago a few months ago!!!!

[Terry_Lasater]

Yeah, VictorE... "Show IAL the money!".

You got our attention with the offer.
Now get our respect by following through. ;)

[Dan_Lahav]

City life eh?? sounds great!!! Me having just moved to Chicago a few months ago!!!!

booggerg that was my original idea but everyone dumped on it *cough* John *cough* Jarred *cough* *cough*

im really pleased the way the first contest came out though so its all good!

;D

[greggy]

my suggestion is this- the first winner of an all open short video (on any topic) gets to choose the subject for the following months contest. so no one has the upper hand on any preconcieved ideas. plus its sort of a reward for winning the contest. imagine being able to dictate to thousands what you want them to spend the next month agonizing over, so they can do the same to others if they win....its creative, and i see it working, hey maybe i should start a local competition...sic////

[ronik15]

I'm just waiting the contest to start!