Short Movie Contest

[tolakvoa]

I have small Video Productions shop where I live. I would like to run "short movie video contest" it might help to promote my business but I am only the employ yet. I have an idea how to run it but again I have very limited time. So if you have an experienced before please share with me. My big worries is this. what would I do with the winner? what do I with their movies? Also what category I should divided.
I was thinking that the 10 finalist would be shown in local movie theater and free entrace because I would like to create that this event is for community.
So if you have an experience please share with me maybe if you have some kinda template I can use. Thank you thank you for your help.

Tolak Voa

[chstick]

I've been entering short films into a monthly, 48-hour, short film challenge here in Hawaii. It was started in Dec '05 by a couple guys on the crew of the TV show "LOST".

This may or may not be what you have in mind, but perhaps you'll get some ideas from it. Hope this helps...

http://www.showdowninchinatown.com


Aloha

Chris

[tolakvoa]

Chstick,
I see yours style is high gear. You got all the very famous people helping you.
I am just new guy and small business. Questions for you.
What would you do to the movies didn't make it do you send them back?
What would you do to protect yourself from getting sued?
Do you give them prizes?
What do you do for the fee they pay?
Is there any company outhere will take a look a short movies? Meaning I would like to send the finalist to the agent see if they are intrested . If they are interested can i be the middle man?
Thanks for your time?

tolak voa

[chstick]

Chstick,
I see yours style is high gear. You got all the very famous people helping you.
I am just new guy and small business. Questions for you.
What would you do to the movies didn't make it do you send them back?
What would you do to protect yourself from getting sued?
Do you give them prizes?
What do you do for the fee they pay?
Is there any company outhere will take a look a short movies? Meaning I would like to send the finalist to the agent see if they are intrested . If they are interested can i be the middle man?
Thanks for your time?

tolak voa

I'm sorry Tolak Voa but the "Showdown in Chinatown" is not my event. Being a (very amateur) film maker, I simply shoot a short film once a month (within the 48-hour time limit), pay the fee and hand em my DVD.

I just thought that their website could give you some ideas.

I do not know the answers to some of your questions but I will try to address them.

1) THE MOVIES THAT DON'T MAKE IT- On average about 20 films are submitted. They (Showdown) have a PRE-SCREENING crew of 4 or 5 people which narrow the films down to 12 using the same points system as described on their website.
The top 12 films are screened at the "main event".....which is usually from about 9pm-11:30pm. Those films are judged by celebrity/industry judges using the same point system.
The films that didn't crack the top 12 are then shown in the VIP area (smaller room) after the main event has concluded. Those films are put on Showdown's web-site as well (although....I'm not sure they put the films that didn't make the cut up this month???)

2) PROTECTION FROM BEING SUED- The Showdown works very closely with one of the film industry offices here in Hawaii. I'm sorry, but I don't know which office or what their title is (although I probably should).
My suggestion to you is that you try to locate a film industry office in your area. Your local news should be able to help you there (at least give you a name/phone #).
Once there, I'm sure they'll be able to answer your questions as well as provide you with the proper forms/permits to keep from being sued and such.

3) PRIZES- The Showdown has been looking for sponsors to help out. It's been a very slow process in this area. However, as the film contest has grown, there has been a couple sponsors that have come in.
The 1st place film recieves $300. But, for the longest time there was NO prize and everyone was fine with that. Everyone was making these films for the love of it, because it's fun (very hard work, at times....but fun). It's a 48-hour film CHALLENGE. Sometimes it's very hard to do within the time limit.

4) THE FEE- I don't know what the SHOWDOWN does with the fee. I can only assume that money is used for their overhead (chair rentals, door-staff, cashier, web-site and other misc expenses).

5) SENDING YOUR MOVIES- There seem to be short film challenges all over the country. The SHOWDOWN is just one example. This site, DVXuser, has a short film challenge on NOW.....SPYFEST, and Spyfest is free to enter.
You can put your films up on the internet for free via YouTube or Myspace (or any free video hosting site) OR create your own website where you'll be able to control the VIDEO QUALITY yourself.

Hope this helps

Chris