DVX Trailer scores development deal with MTV Films

S

Scott

Active member
First of all -- thank you to everyone who voted for our films in MTV's Best Film on Campus competition. I have some great news -- Bryan & I won for our "University Heights" trailer!! The prize includes a home theatre system and, more importantly, a development deal with MTV Films. MTVu played a great prank on me, and you'll be able to check that out next week at http://www.mtvu.com. For now, check out the press release below.

Thanks again to everyone who has helped us out thus far. Bryan & I are incredibly grateful for the support. If you'd like to check out the trailer, head on over to http://www.mtvu.com/contests/best_film_on_campus/2005/.

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IOWA FILMMAKERS WIN MTV’S BEST FILM ON CAMPUS CONTEST
UI juniors’ win development deal with MTV Films; film judged by Hollywood directors and MTV staff

December 6, 2005

Iowa-based filmmakers and University of Iowa juniors Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, both 21, have won MTVu’s Best Film on Campus: Trailer Challenge competition.

Beck & Woods had two films in the top five; their trailer for “University Heights” was chosen for the grand prize by Hollywood directors John Singleton (Boyz n the Hood), Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen) and Nicole Kassell (The Woodsman), MTV staff and online voters.

Beck & Woods win a development deal with MTV Films and a home theatre system.

On December 1, MTVu producers called Beck, notifying him that while the “University Heights” trailer lost, the “Her Summer” trailer had won the grand prize. Then, with help from Beck, MTVu arranged to surprise Woods with the news – by flying out to Iowa City and filming the whole event.

However, when Beck visited Woods’ apartment to surprise him, he was greeted by MTVu staff, several news cameras, friends, and cast and crew from “University Heights.” It turned out that MTVu set up the prank with Woods, and that their trailer for “University Heights” actually won.

“It was incredible,” Beck said. “Here I thought we were surprising Bryan, and instead I’m the one who gets surprised! I just couldn’t believe what was happening.”

Beck & Woods now will have the opportunity to develop a project with MTV Films.

“I can’t stress how grateful we are for this opportunity,” Woods stated. “It’s one of those things that seem so out of reach, but now we’re one step closer.”

Along with the three directors and MTV staff, online voters played a large part in choosing the winner.

“We’ve had so much support throughout this contest. It’s been really amazing,” Beck said. “Bryan and I want to thank everybody for helping us out, and for making our dream a little more of a reality.”

MTVu will be airing segments of the surprise online at http://www.mtvu.com beginning next week.
 
Sweetness! I'm supremely jealous of you, but you've been doing legitimate work for some time now so I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise.

If this MTV developement deal leads to something in Iowa or nearby, let me know!
 
Thanks for all of the support!!

Slimothy said:
congrats, do you have a direct link to the trailer? I use firefox
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I'm not sure if this direct link to MTVU will still work, but you can try it:
http://www.mtvu.com/uber/index.jhtml?id=1511862

Otherwise, I have another version of the trailer linked from my site (the only difference is the titles are a little rough)

Window Media: http://www.blueboxlimited.com/multimedia/uhtrailer03.wmv

Quicktime: http://www.blueboxlimited.com/multimedia/uhtrailer.html
 
damn where do you find such good actors at 21? i'm 21 and it's impossible to find decent actors, or even any help for that matter.
 
Inoran said:
damn where do you find such good actors at 21? i'm 21 and it's impossible to find decent actors, or even any help for that matter.
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Most of those actors in the trailer have no film experience, and only a few have limited stage experience.

In December 2003, I auditioned actors from across the state, and we had a great turnout. There's a lot of untapped talent here in Iowa, and I'm sure there is untapped talent all across the map. Just put out a casting call around your state, and you will find some great actors.

I suppose the catch is this: it takes time to establish yourself in your community, but once you do, you will gain support, and people will come.
 
Wow, i was just watching the clip you guys have of 'Her Summer' on your website. Are you guys using a dolly? What all equipment do you use with the dvx? Also it seems you guys have a really nice slow zoom and it seems even slower than the lowest speed on the dvx- whats the deal?
 
Inoran said:
Are you guys using a dolly? What all equipment do you use with the dvx? Also it seems you guys have a really nice slow zoom and it seems even slower than the lowest speed on the dvx- whats the deal?
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We have a PVC pipe dolly that we assembled. As far as additional equipment, we have no other attachments to the DVX. For audio recording we use a Sennheiser ME67.

For the zoom, we often used the slowest zoom setting, and occasionally accompanied that with a dolly move.
 
Scott,

Congrats on the deal man. I checked out your University Heights trailer today. It looked real polished. I'm liking the color scheme as well.

-a
 
Congrats Scott. The trailer lood interesting. Like it would make a multi-layered story.

Can I ask what's next with the "development" part of this deal? Do they want you to write a treatment, then script, then possibly to turn into production of a feature? I'm not sure to what extent they're gonna 'develop' this project. If it is ultimately to turn into a fully blown movie, then you are in a very rare position indeed...

EJ
 
Big congratulations Scott. It's a big accomplishment to get the ear of a few executives.

It must be a great trailer. I can't watch it because i'm on Mac, but good job anyway. :)
 
EJ Pennypacker said:
Congrats Scott. The trailer lood interesting. Like it would make a multi-layered story.

Can I ask what's next with the "development" part of this deal? Do they want you to write a treatment, then script, then possibly to turn into production of a feature? I'm not sure to what extent they're gonna 'develop' this project. If it is ultimately to turn into a fully blown movie, then you are in a very rare position indeed...

EJ
Click to expand...

Thanks for all of the kind words! It's been a really exciting time so far, and last Wednesday, Variety caught wind of the deal and even published it!

I can't really say too much at this point, but development deals happen often without resulting in an actual film. However, my filmmaking partner and I have already written a screenplay, so we'll be able to bring a script that, more or less, is ready for production. Hopefully it'll give us a leg up.
 
Scott, in a situation such as a development deal what actually happens? Do they throw you some $$ so that you can develop the script?
 
coffee said:
Scott, in a situation such as a development deal what actually happens? Do they throw you some $$ so that you can develop the script?
Click to expand...

Basically, a development deal means that a filmmaker works with the studio's development team on a treatment/pitch/screenplay to expand it. These deals include contracts that sometimes last a couple of years, and they do pay.
 
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