ZazaCast
Major Contributor
If an entry entirely missed the theme...it wouldn't have been in the fest. Were there a lot of rejections in LossFest?:huh:
Just a little piece of info....
- Thread starter Jason Ramsey
- Start date
- Status
If an entry entirely missed the theme...it wouldn't have been in the fest. Were there a lot of rejections in LossFest?:huh:
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
As for trailers, they're a brilliant marketing strategy if used correctly and given set marketing guidelines and materials. For example, on Sci-fi channel, they had some Battlesstar Galactica contests where they provided some set graphics, a couple of clips of ships blowing up and stuff.. and sent contestants off to create their own content. If we had something similar for the beginning of the trailers and then the end to point them back here, where the look is consistent, this will go a long way towards making a better and more site focused trailer.
And yes, no footage from the movies, or scenes... but something set in the same world should be the only footage allowed. "Bespoke" as Darkline so eloquesntly stated.
And yes, no footage from the movies, or scenes... but something set in the same world should be the only footage allowed. "Bespoke" as Darkline so eloquesntly stated.
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
I just completely contradicted mmyself. I'll restate that line properly.
The theme of loss was a little more vague to nail down in some entries is all. Yours in "the Dare" was very plain to see. In a film like "Placebo" the loss was a little more abstract and a clearer statement of what was lost would have been useful. Especially before they started production on it.
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
what do you think about holding trailers until the day viewing opens? i've come to feel that trailers are more or less worthless unless the viewer can act on it immediately. if we release them early, where do they go? to some strange forum where they don't fit in? i think it would be better to release them the same day they can watch some films and comment? just some thoughts...
i'm still hesitant on them being used to game the system. a good teaser is going to have story elements. even a :30 one. and people might release teasers that are effectively "prequels" that more or less extend their running time.
i'm still hesitant on them being used to game the system. a good teaser is going to have story elements. even a :30 one. and people might release teasers that are effectively "prequels" that more or less extend their running time.
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
Zak, that is a BRILLIANT idea! Absolutely BRILLIANT!
Drive the viewers directly to the fest where they can now really get involved. Nice!
Drive the viewers directly to the fest where they can now really get involved. Nice!
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
it would mean the trailers need to be screened by someone familiar with the corresponding shorts to make sure it doesn't violate the rules.
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
I'm sure there's a way we can figure it out... just ask the Mod Squad (that's you mods)
Blaine
Mr. Hollywood
That sounds like a bit of a logistics nightmare.
Mattykins
Cute Member
Here's my say. For what it's worth being a long-standing member here.
I was around when they wouldn't allow any cameras aside from a DVX into the fests. A short story synopsis should be easy. Hell, you are writing the script for the short - you should know your theme and synopsis.
Maybe this is because I am in the heat of development myself working with some really great people. I get this idea thrown at my head daily. I write coverage on scripts multiple times a week getting an entire script, or sections of scripts in development, down to a few lines. It's tough. That is hard work.
I know, for a fact, the mods won't push people away. I have my disagreements with the DVXuser mod board from time to time, but I think they are totally in the right.
I've started to notice that people totally disregard the constraints of the fest in fests past. Maybe the idea is kinda-sorta-not-really there, but it's allowed in. And I come out of watching the film thinking...way to totally disregard the theme. Now this isn't the case with all films - but it is certainly there. And by no means am I condoning entering genre cliches to tell your story and keep it to the theme cliches to make it work. But you at least need to touch upon the theme.
As for trailers, can I just say, why? Focus your attention on the film. This fest there were still a lot where I just couldn't push myself to keep watching. Work on your entry. Make it tight. Make it seamless. Work your ass off to make an outstanding product. Something that will make me say "wow - I want to see what else you have up your sleeve". Focus on the film itself, and not all the goodies.
I think the facebook group failed because I found myself thinking "why do I care?" Marketing 101. There was nothing there that was different. When content dries up and updates stop. People stop following. Because no one cares.
Trailers won't help that.
The mods here are doing something great I think. They are streamlining this process. And I for one want to see a fest that I can actually end up watching most if not all of the entries all the way through. The rules aren't here to hinder you. They are here to make sure you are actually thinking about the film you want to make. And if anything they go to spur your creativity.
I can assure you, you won't find this type of creative freedom anywhere else. And the amount of people who watch and comment is outstanding (myself not included in those numbers - I was way to busy. I tried to watch them all and comment, but I ended up failing). We are a forum of creative individuals. Throw in some ego and some idiots and you have our group. But in what area will you be free from ego and idiots. All-in-all, we are a forum of creative individuals and these fests are designed to foster that creativity.
But a simple insert of a rule, a cross-check almost is dropped in, and people start complaining.
Think of it this way. Imagine if this was a legit studio/film-maker social construct. And you are given x-guidelines. And then your product that was returned didn't follow x-guidelines. Such as leaving out a required element or just barely grazing the theme. This is something to check on your from the very beginning of the creative process and have you think about what you are doing.
And it sounds like it is less than a paragraph. Much less than my post here. I say the mods are right. And I am behind their ideas firmly.
I was around when they wouldn't allow any cameras aside from a DVX into the fests. A short story synopsis should be easy. Hell, you are writing the script for the short - you should know your theme and synopsis.
Maybe this is because I am in the heat of development myself working with some really great people. I get this idea thrown at my head daily. I write coverage on scripts multiple times a week getting an entire script, or sections of scripts in development, down to a few lines. It's tough. That is hard work.
I know, for a fact, the mods won't push people away. I have my disagreements with the DVXuser mod board from time to time, but I think they are totally in the right.
I've started to notice that people totally disregard the constraints of the fest in fests past. Maybe the idea is kinda-sorta-not-really there, but it's allowed in. And I come out of watching the film thinking...way to totally disregard the theme. Now this isn't the case with all films - but it is certainly there. And by no means am I condoning entering genre cliches to tell your story and keep it to the theme cliches to make it work. But you at least need to touch upon the theme.
As for trailers, can I just say, why? Focus your attention on the film. This fest there were still a lot where I just couldn't push myself to keep watching. Work on your entry. Make it tight. Make it seamless. Work your ass off to make an outstanding product. Something that will make me say "wow - I want to see what else you have up your sleeve". Focus on the film itself, and not all the goodies.
I think the facebook group failed because I found myself thinking "why do I care?" Marketing 101. There was nothing there that was different. When content dries up and updates stop. People stop following. Because no one cares.
Trailers won't help that.
The mods here are doing something great I think. They are streamlining this process. And I for one want to see a fest that I can actually end up watching most if not all of the entries all the way through. The rules aren't here to hinder you. They are here to make sure you are actually thinking about the film you want to make. And if anything they go to spur your creativity.
I can assure you, you won't find this type of creative freedom anywhere else. And the amount of people who watch and comment is outstanding (myself not included in those numbers - I was way to busy. I tried to watch them all and comment, but I ended up failing). We are a forum of creative individuals. Throw in some ego and some idiots and you have our group. But in what area will you be free from ego and idiots. All-in-all, we are a forum of creative individuals and these fests are designed to foster that creativity.
But a simple insert of a rule, a cross-check almost is dropped in, and people start complaining.
Think of it this way. Imagine if this was a legit studio/film-maker social construct. And you are given x-guidelines. And then your product that was returned didn't follow x-guidelines. Such as leaving out a required element or just barely grazing the theme. This is something to check on your from the very beginning of the creative process and have you think about what you are doing.
And it sounds like it is less than a paragraph. Much less than my post here. I say the mods are right. And I am behind their ideas firmly.
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
Depends on who's dreaming...
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
???? huh... you're saying the second place winner wasn't clear on the theme? How did they win then?
If they had to write a paragraph & pitch the mods, they would have what... won first place?
I'm not trying to be a pain, but isn't the idea of creative filmmaking subjective? Some one might like it and others might hate it...it doesn't make the film any better of worse....just different to different people. There are tons of really bad films out there, but yet, a 'studio' approved their script and the movie was made. (it's my understanding the studio funds the film too!
)I tend to agree with Zim. Some of us (I think) make films for the fun of it and have no "visions of grandeur". This isn't to say we don't want to get better at it, but I'm personally not interested at all in the marketing aspects. I was VP of Marketing & Sales for a software development company for years... been there, done that.
Ultimately, it's the viewer who decides if the film fits the theme and is successful.
(o.k., let the Zaza-hating begin...)
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
here's an idea...
maybe what we need is one "agnostic" teaser that uses 1 compelling second of footage from each film for a rapid fire teaser that we can push out the day after the fest starts. i'll cut it. larry and jason will approve it, then it will be released publicly the day after the fest starts. then there's no onslaught of additional media to wade thru. just one cut in the spirit of puck's lossfest teasers using twilightfest footage.
maybe what we need is one "agnostic" teaser that uses 1 compelling second of footage from each film for a rapid fire teaser that we can push out the day after the fest starts. i'll cut it. larry and jason will approve it, then it will be released publicly the day after the fest starts. then there's no onslaught of additional media to wade thru. just one cut in the spirit of puck's lossfest teasers using twilightfest footage.
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
the facebook group was actually very successful. it wasn't intended to replace the dvxuser threads with discussion, posters and trailer links -- despite having that stuff there. it's purpose was to get our friends on facebook who were interested in seeing some short films to join the group so we could notify them all when the fest was underway. it worked like a mailing list. 363 people had joined during the previous three months. when the fest started I sent out alerts at each milestone -- opening, round two, last day of voting, etc. and i have an inbox full of "thank you's" from people who likely would have missed the fest completely.
so the group didn't fail us. to take it a step further, anyone who failed to invite their facebook friends to join it, failed the group. haha!
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
Nice and simple and not a nightmare. See: Zak was the one who was dreaming. i was about to suggest a similar thing, so glad to see we're thinking along the same lines.
Hell, if you can't cut it, you know where to find me. i'm about to start cutting the wrap up of LossFest so wish me luck...
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
???? huh... you're saying the second place winner wasn't clear on the theme? How did they win then?
If they had to write a paragraph & pitch the mods, they would have what... won first place?
I'm not trying to be a pain, but isn't the idea of creative filmmaking subjective? Some one might like it and others might hate it...it doesn't make the film any better of worse....just different to different people. There are tons of really bad films out there, but yet, a 'studio' approved their script and the movie was made. (it's my understanding the studio funds the film too!
I tend to agree with Zim. Some of us (I think) make films for the fun of it and have no "visions of grandeur". This isn't to say we don't want to get better at it, but I'm personally not interested at all in the marketing aspects. I was VP of Marketing & Sales for a software development company for years... been there, done that.
Ultimately, it's the viewer who decides if the film fits the theme and is successful.
Dude I LOVED "Placebo", LOVED it, but I still had to go back and watch again objectively this time, because it was more of an action piece and the loss was more of an abstract... the loss of sanity, reality... etc. It was definitely there, just not immediately obvious.
Jason Ramsey
Admin
ok... guys... I've got the rules draft done... sending them ahead for extra sets of eyes...
I'm going to go ahead and close this down so it doesn't get off track, and in preparation for posting of the rules.
Don't worry... nothing crazy. mostly a lot of clarifications to make sure everything is as clear as possible from the get go.
p.s... I kinda like the idea of someone cutting a 1 second of footage from each film trailer to promote the fest when the films go live... mod pre-approved of course.
Perhaps, we can include an add'l section where when folks upload their film, they can upload an additional 1 second clip of a pre-determined format for the trailer.
i dont' know... we'll see about that down the road... plenty of time for that later.
later,
jason
I'm going to go ahead and close this down so it doesn't get off track, and in preparation for posting of the rules.
Don't worry... nothing crazy. mostly a lot of clarifications to make sure everything is as clear as possible from the get go.
p.s... I kinda like the idea of someone cutting a 1 second of footage from each film trailer to promote the fest when the films go live... mod pre-approved of course.
Perhaps, we can include an add'l section where when folks upload their film, they can upload an additional 1 second clip of a pre-determined format for the trailer.
i dont' know... we'll see about that down the road... plenty of time for that later.
later,
jason
- Status