Competition

[Drew Ott]

I propose a little competition.

I signed up for a filmmaking class that goes from February 9th until May 9th. As many of you know, I've historically been an advocate of the "lone artist" archetype. I took a lot of advice from DVXusers and decided to not only not go to film school, but to not go to college at all. Well, something has changed in my personality, and today I believe that the best art is the result of artists competing against artists.

Every student in this class I signed up for has to make a short film. Oddly enough, the competitive aspect of being surrounded by other students has given me a huge dose of ambition to make a great short. It's healthy competition in the best sense.

So I want to open that up to you guys.

Who wants to make a short film starting on February 9th and due on May 9th? We can have an unofficial competition, and winner takes bragging rights.

I will collect names and make a new thread starting on February 9th listing the competitors. Depending on how many people are interested, we can figure out how we choose winners and losers later.

 

[David W. Richardson]

The problem with competitions like this is -- who are the judges?

If it's "whoever gets the most votes wins", then there is a tendency for it to simply be a popularity contest -- he who has the most friends wins. It's very hard to find a competition which is juried in a fair and unbiased way.

 

[Drew Ott]

This isn't a real competition that needs judges. More like a friendly rivalry between whoever wants to take part. Often people just need the incentive and motivation to try to make something good.

 

[QuickHitRecord]

Oddly enough, the competitive aspect of being surrounded by other students has given me a huge dose of ambition to make a great short. It's healthy competition in the best sense.

This reason alone has been enough for me to consider pursuing a Masters in film. You're right, there is something motivating about producing work to share with your peers.

But I think David raises a good point about the judging phase. What if it were (at least initially) an anonymous film festival? Films would be submitted with no credits and each filmmaker promises not to self-promote while the competition is still going. Films are submitted privately to a designated DVXuser, who posts them at a set date and sets up a poll (is it possible to limit poll participation to DVXusers who have at least, say, 50 posts?). Then after the results come in, the credits are posted. Thoughts?

 

[David W. Richardson]

This reason alone has been enough for me to consider pursuing a Masters in film. You're right, there is something motivating about producing work to share with your peers.

But I think David raises a good point about the judging phase. What if it were (at least initially) an anonymous film festival? Films would be submitted with no credits and each filmmaker promises not to self-promote while the competition is still going. Films are submitted privately to a designated DVXuser, who posts them at a set date and sets up a poll (is it possible to limit poll participation to DVXusers who have at least, say, 50 posts?). Then after the results come in, the credits are posted. Thoughts?

Unfortunately, those who rely on their popularity to win such contests would simply tell their friends to vote for their film. Also, the cast and crew would probably do the same.

Even if they didn't tell anyone, their friends will know what they've been working on, as will the friends of everyone involved in the film. It's not a secret that it's possible to keep.

 

[David W. Richardson]

This isn't a real competition that needs judges. More like a friendly rivalry between whoever wants to take part. Often people just need the incentive and motivation to try to make something good.

If it's a competition, then what's the point if it's not a FAIR competition? "Good" is often in the eye of the beholder. Rivals want to win, to prove their work is the best. In order for that win to really mean anything, there has to be completely unbiased judging. Otherwise it's really not a competition, it's just a show.

 

[Paul F]

Yikes. Drew is just trying to have some fun. If you don't want to play, you don't have to. It's his invitation, his rules.

 

[Drew Ott]

Yikes. Drew is just trying to have some fun. If you don't want to play, you don't have to. It's his invitation, his rules.

Thank you Paul for saving me from a stroke.

 

[ugafan]

I believe that the best art is the result of artists competing against artists.

i disagree.

but if this college assignment is motivating you to create art, that's a good thing. good luck with your competition.

 

[David W. Richardson]

Yikes. Drew is just trying to have some fun. If you don't want to play, you don't have to. It's his invitation, his rules.

Fair enough. Pardon me for having questions about the 'competition' aspect of it. Have fun!

 

[David W. Richardson]

"You'd better cure all those personal problems that might be holding back something you want to say." -John Cassavetes

But you see what happens when someone doesn't hold back and says something?

 

[Drew Ott]

This reason alone has been enough for me to consider pursuing a Masters in film. You're right, there is something motivating about producing work to share with your peers.

That's awesome. Yeah, I'm starting to understand the same thing.