Still Frame Contest?

[Chris Messineo]

I'm sure there are many like me, who would love to take part in a short film contest, but find it hard to dedicate the time to do a new film with their current project workload.

What about a contest for the best still frame. That way we could all submit something from a current or past project. It could even have a theme if need be.

I'm sure this would generate more interest and would be a great way to show off the capabilities of our dvx camera.

What do you think?

Chris

[J.R. Hudson]

SOunds simple enough

[Chris Messineo]

Do you think the first contest should be open (regarding theme) and then whoever wins can choose the theme for the next months contest?

Also, I think it should probably be 1 entry per person (so it doesn't get too crazy).

Chris

[TuffGong]

I concur, one entry per person, open format for the first. More participation.

[ecoloco]

I think it's an easy way out. The DVX, in my opinion is made to make moving pictures, not stills. If you're passionate enough about filmmaking, you can find the time to shoot a short. I can't wait to make my next movie, I'm addicted to this camera. I know most people here are really busy making a living. I myself don't know where I find the time, between my job and my family, but I get the damn thing done. But that's just me.

Eco

[Barry_S]

Yeah, I don't really get the still frame contest thing. We have a forum dedicated to posting clips and stills, but I'm not sure of the point to having a contest. I would suggest making the contest more accessible though--maybe that would accomplish what you're trying to get at? We could alternate each month with a chosen theme one month and a completely open contest the next month. For the open contest we could allow users to submit any film made in the last 6 months (with the DVX100) regardless of length or theme. Users would have to find their own server space. I'd also give folks a full week to view the films and credits would be fine--I think DVXUsers will rate what they like best regardless of the forum member.

[Dan_Lahav]

i'd have to agree with eco. the idea is cool, but the DVX was meant for video not grabs ;D

[Chris Messineo]

I'm not knocking the contest, I think the contest is a great idea, and it should definitely continue and I hope more people participate as I love watching the movies.

But, for many people it is a real challenge. To put together a quality short takes a tremendous effort. At least for me it does, and I imagine for many others, that is one of the reasons why there are only a handful of contest entries each month.

I think a still frame contest, could inspire a lot of the creativity that the movie contest does with a lot less effort. For example, if a theme were about something simple like "hidden in the shadows" or "seen through a window" it would be something many more people could take the time to stage and shoot. And it would be a great way for us to share settings and tricks and such.

I know the Screen Grabs section exists (I have used it myself to share stuff), but there is something exciting about a contest, even if it is just for bragging rights. We can always post movies there as well, but we still have a contest section too. I thought this would be fairly easy to do and hopefully fun for everyone.

That's what I was thinking anyway,

Chris

[Policar]

A lot of really hard stuff to do in motion (rotoscoping, pulling good mattes from greenscreens, in depth color correction and shadow/highlight correction) is easy in photoshop since frame to frame continuity doesn't exist. *This is a good idea, but for a still camera forum. *The only reason screen grabs are used over video, imo, is bandwith.

http://home.comcast.net/~wauhkies/image007.jpg

Here's my entry anyway. *The theme is cats with blown out highlights.

[kai]

I like this idea... it's been awhile since it was brought up, but i'm game if others are. It's not like it would hurt anything... we can critique framing and shot composition.

[Niebs]

what's the harm in doing a contest like this? just lay down some rules, say, you have to process the stills like you would your video footage (color grading,correction, all that stuff.)