And The DV Challenge #10 theme is... "Scare Us!" at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · October 18th, 2007, 09:42 AM

And The DV Challenge #10 is...

"Scare Us"

That's it...
No theme at all... just scare the hell out of us!
Horror, thriller, whatever... the most frightening film wins a $250 shopping spree from www.dvestore.com!

Some new stuff for this challenge, please read all of this!!!

You now have until NEXT SUNDAY NIGHT, OCT. 28th...
...to write, shoot, editing, upload to the web...
...them email me the link at:
thedvchallenge@gmail.com

Please include your name and title in the
subject line of the email.

Also, when you submit your film, please write the following in your
email, exactly in this format (it makes my life easier!)

Your Name
"Title Of Film"
www.alinktoyourmovie.com

Thanks!

For more details on how TheDVC works, check:
http://thedvchallenge.blogspot.com/s...w%20It%20Works

Rules
Standard rules apply, please find them at:
http://thedvchallenge.blogspot.com/s...ficial%20Rules

IMPORTANT:
YOUR FILM'S OPENING TITLES MUST BEGIN WITH:

"thedvchallenge.com
Presents"
(note: it is thedvchallenge, not dvchallenge)

Followed by

TITLE OF YOUR FILM

you can include any other titles you want at the start, but you must
have the DV Challenge bit, and your title.

Our preferred upload site is:
Youtube!
Youtube is really easy to upload to, it's fast, and the quality
while small, isn't bad. Please include a Youtube version of every
film. You can still host a high quality, large screen version for
those who want it. This way, we can pick and choose which version
we watch! It makes a big difference for judging where we watch
each film at least a few times.

Unacceptible:
Those stupid free download sites where you have to wait 30 seconds
and skip through three layers of advertising before playing it.
If you want to host on them fine, but I will no longer be watching
them.

Any questions?
Post them on the forum:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=100

Have fun!

Dylan

Daniel Ross · October 18th, 2007, 08:37 PM

Feel free to split this post into a new thread if it should not be a reply, but I think this is very relevant to the topic:

What is acceptable in terms of content in the film? (NOT what is covered by the content section in the rules.)

PG-13? R? Anything?

With a horror type theme, gore and, of course, frightening images are inevtiable.

I assume others will have the same question.

Roger Rosales · October 18th, 2007, 08:51 PM

I have the exact same question.

The rules on the site aren't clear as to the content that is allowable. Can there be cursing? Lots and lots 'O blood? Suggestive imagery? etc.

Daniel Ross · October 18th, 2007, 09:19 PM

Might as well just add nudity to the list in case anyone considers that (I doubt I will be, though).
Of course it would need consent including a signed release and verification of age, but that's up to the filmmaker, not a responsibility of the contest.
So-- what, if valid in other respects, is allowed in the contest?

Also, youtube comes up again... someone should review the youtube TOS for content (I'd be wary of having strong language, nudity or excessive gore on there).

EDIT: Having reviewed the guidelines, here's a summary:
http://www.youtube.com/t/community_guidelines

Quote:

Graphic or gratuitous violence is not allowed. If your video shows someone getting hurt, attacked, or humiliated, don't post it.

This is weird, because youtube hosts a lot of reality clips, so this would apply to a real life situation with violence, not necessarily fictional violence. There is no clear mention of this, though we can assume there is some limit, especially if it is realistic.

Quote:

YouTube is not a shock site. Don't post gross-out videos of accidents, dead bodies and stuff like that. This includes war footage if it's intended to shock or disgust.

Hmm... same, there. So... if it's scary/shocking, it isn't for youtube? Or, is this just for real footage. No mention again of any requirements for fiction.

Quote:

We encourage free speech [...but no hate speach]

Ok, so... I guess language is allowed? Still, though, I'd be surprised if a film comprised mostly of swearing and people running around shooting stuff (not unreasonable for this contest) wouldn't be disallowed.

Quote:

YouTube is not for pornography or sexually explicit content.

So... no nudity, period. I think... unless you had nudity that wasn't sexual (ie you could argue that someone naked in the shower being killed is just horror, but I doubt you'd win that argument).

Regardless of this, too, it's a community and so the rules are always changing based on popular opinion.

1. Excessive real violence not allowed-- is fake violence?
2. Fright/startling real images aren't-- again, is fake ok?
3. Language-- apparently allowed, but still subjective
4. Nudity-- very very unlikely (though MAYBE in a completely nonsexual way)

So, should we just go by these guidelines and "if it doesn't meet youtube's requirements, it's out", or should we simply be aware that if it fails to meet youtube's guidelines we'll need to find alternate hosting?

Dylan Couper · October 18th, 2007, 10:54 PM

Actually...

As far as the actual rules...
Anything goes!

However...

1) We don't allow the posting of pornographic, or gratuitous gore/volient material on DVinfo.

2) Youtube doesn't allow nudity, and by nudity I mean the naughty boy/girl bits.

So your films will have to follow these guidelines.

Daniel Ross · October 18th, 2007, 11:19 PM

"Gratuitous" is sorta a catch-all word for "bad" violence... could you explain a bit?

I'll be surprised if someone doesn't push that rule. It would help to know now.

Is R rated violence generally ok? PG-13?

And for language, then, anything goes?

Thanks. Good to know.

Kristina Bock · October 19th, 2007, 05:21 AM

Then we get to the fact that horror, as a genre is itself deemed gratuitous by many.

The violence, gore, humiliation, etcetera.. is seen as gratuity for entertainment's sake.

When is violence, gore, horror truly 'meaningful'? And how can I make it so in three minutes?

how dilute do we need to be before it becomes un-scary and camp? (which, as usual, I'll end up doing anyway... It's my niche.. hehe ;-D)

These are the questions I find I'm asking of myself, and of my desired choice of content.

So... where is the line drawn for this particular challenge exactly? Can I show death? Can I show violence? Is it to be humorous? Tongues firmly placed in cheeks? I don't intend on creating a blood-fest of mayhem and death or anything, but that which is one person's tame is another's terrifying/disgusting.

I'd love complete clarity (or some guidelines to what's expected and what's definitely not wanted.) before I go ahead filming anything at all. If anyone can help with that, Thanks!
I don't want to offend, disturb or sicken anyone, but I really want to meet the requirement of 'scary'... I guess it's all how you interpret the theme, which is the beauty of this challenge!

Thanks! :-)
Cheers, Krissi.

Daniel Ross · October 19th, 2007, 05:50 AM

I completely agree, Krissi.

I don't think you'd really offend any of us with content (at least the vast majority), but the issue with youtube's TOS and what may or may not be desired as being associated with THIS site will matter.

It's a hard challenge-- do the absolute scariest thing without going over the top.

"Run the fastest mile, in over 8 minutes."

Then again, it's definitely part of the challenge.

If I can help by answering a bit of that--
No, should not be comedy (though I'm sure some will enter parodies, which will probably be entertaining in their own way, though unlikely to win).
Death should be just fine.

I'm also a bit confused-- if the judges are picking the film subjectively, then will it really be based on fright factor or the best film, given the circumstances.

Anyway, fun challenge indeed.

(In other news, rough draft of my script is written; actors being contacted currently.)

Dylan Couper · October 19th, 2007, 09:07 AM

Are you guys filmmakers or lawyers?
.
.
.
The theme is: "Scare Us" not "offend us/gross us out." Horror does not mean gore/violence/humiliation. If you have something that you think might be over the line, email me with the specifics.

About the judging... "Scariest film wins" is what I said in the first post of this thread. That's the bottom line.

Go make your damn films and stop worrying about minute details.

Meryem Ersoz · October 19th, 2007, 09:18 AM

well, i'm already out of this competition! all of my concepts are mired in camp, kitsch, parody, and 1930s-40s B-movie sensibility! i can't take horror seriously.

perhaps a snuff film, who is willing to sacrifice themselves for my art, hm? ping me!

okay, i have to say this thread is a hoot in itself. is anyone else laughing themselves silly each time you open it?

enough reading! time to roust the zombie army!

Marco Wagner · October 19th, 2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meryem Ersoz

well, i'm already out of this competition! all of my concepts are mired in camp, kitsch, parody, and 1930s-40s B-movie sensibility! i can't take horror seriously.

perhaps a snuff film, who is willing to sacrifice themselves for my art, hm? ping me!

okay, i have to say this thread is a hoot in itself. is anyone else laughing themselves silly each time you open it?

enough reading! time to roust the zombie army!

Ive lived a good life Meryem, you can kill me, lol -

Meryem Ersoz · October 19th, 2007, 12:53 PM

who knew how twisted you were, marco? calling my bluff...thanks for the offer, though! I think. blech.

Daniel Ross · October 19th, 2007, 01:33 PM

Dylan, I'm more than happy to go and shoot stuff. But if I get back and it isn't allowed, I'll be annoyed. Fair enough?
You write the rules, so it's your job to make us know what will work... if you don't, then fine by me as long as you don't turn around and change it later.

Anyway, off for a pre-production meeting this evening.

Dylan Couper · October 19th, 2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Ross

Dylan, I'm more than happy to go and shoot stuff. But if I get back and it isn't allowed, I'll be annoyed. Fair enough?
You write the rules, so it's your job to make us know what will work... if you don't, then fine by me as long as you don't turn around and change it later.

Anyway, off for a pre-production meeting this evening.

I said it all in post #5 of this thread, it has to be material suitable for posting on DVinfo and Youtube. I won't disqualify anyone based on any level of gore, nudity, or profanity... but if I can't post the film here, you're screwed for judging. That shouldn't even be an issue, as it's a horror theme, not a splattergore/porno theme. Email me with your idea if you think it is pushing boundries.

Marco Wagner · October 19th, 2007, 06:02 PM

I think it's pretty straight forward and if you look at previous contest entries, regardless of theme, you can at least get an idea of some of the boundries. Cursing and nudity do not make the film. It's the idea, the suspense, shock etc. I'm with Dylan, why is this so hard?

October 18th, 2007, 08:51 PM	#3
Roger Rosales Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 254	I have the exact same question. The rules on the site aren't clear as to the content that is allowable. Can there be cursing? Lots and lots 'O blood? Suggestive imagery? etc. __________________ -Roger Rosales www.rogerrosales.com

October 18th, 2007, 11:19 PM	#6
Daniel Ross Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Marin & Davis, CA, USA Posts: 418	"Gratuitous" is sorta a catch-all word for "bad" violence... could you explain a bit? I'll be surprised if someone doesn't push that rule. It would help to know now. Is R rated violence generally ok? PG-13? And for language, then, anything goes? Thanks. Good to know. Last edited by Greg Boston; October 19th, 2007 at 10:30 AM. Reason: Removal of profanity

October 19th, 2007, 09:07 AM	#9
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Are you guys filmmakers or lawyers? . . . The theme is: "Scare Us" not "offend us/gross us out." Horror does not mean gore/violence/humiliation. If you have something that you think might be over the line, email me with the specifics. About the judging... "Scariest film wins" is what I said in the first post of this thread. That's the bottom line. Go make your damn films and stop worrying about minute details. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

October 19th, 2007, 06:02 PM	#15
Marco Wagner Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saint Cloud, Florida Posts: 1,043	I think it's pretty straight forward and if you look at previous contest entries, regardless of theme, you can at least get an idea of some of the boundries. Cursing and nudity do not make the film. It's the idea, the suspense, shock etc. I'm with Dylan, why is this so hard? __________________ www.facebook.com/projectspecto

October 18th, 2007, 09:42 AM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	And The DV Challenge #10 theme is... "Scare Us!" And The DV Challenge #10 is... "Scare Us" That's it... No theme at all... just scare the hell out of us! Horror, thriller, whatever... the most frightening film wins a $250 shopping spree from www.dvestore.com! Some new stuff for this challenge, please read all of this!!! You now have until NEXT SUNDAY NIGHT, OCT. 28th... ...to write, shoot, editing, upload to the web... ...them email me the link at: thedvchallenge@gmail.com Please include your name and title in the subject line of the email. Also, when you submit your film, please write the following in your email, exactly in this format (it makes my life easier!) Your Name "Title Of Film" www.alinktoyourmovie.com Thanks! For more details on how TheDVC works, check: http://thedvchallenge.blogspot.com/s...w%20It%20Works Rules Standard rules apply, please find them at: http://thedvchallenge.blogspot.com/s...ficial%20Rules IMPORTANT: YOUR FILM'S OPENING TITLES MUST BEGIN WITH: "thedvchallenge.com Presents" (note: it is thedvchallenge, not dvchallenge) Followed by TITLE OF YOUR FILM you can include any other titles you want at the start, but you must have the DV Challenge bit, and your title. Our preferred upload site is: Youtube! Youtube is really easy to upload to, it's fast, and the quality while small, isn't bad. Please include a Youtube version of every film. You can still host a high quality, large screen version for those who want it. This way, we can pick and choose which version we watch! It makes a big difference for judging where we watch each film at least a few times. Unacceptible: Those stupid free download sites where you have to wait 30 seconds and skip through three layers of advertising before playing it. If you want to host on them fine, but I will no longer be watching them. Any questions? Post them on the forum: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=100 Have fun! Dylan __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

October 18th, 2007, 08:37 PM	#2
Daniel Ross Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Marin & Davis, CA, USA Posts: 418	Feel free to split this post into a new thread if it should not be a reply, but I think this is very relevant to the topic: What is acceptable in terms of content in the film? (NOT what is covered by the content section in the rules.) PG-13? R? Anything? With a horror type theme, gore and, of course, frightening images are inevtiable. I assume others will have the same question.

October 18th, 2007, 10:54 PM	#5
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Actually... As far as the actual rules... Anything goes! However... 1) We don't allow the posting of pornographic, or gratuitous gore/volient material on DVinfo. 2) Youtube doesn't allow nudity, and by nudity I mean the naughty boy/girl bits. So your films will have to follow these guidelines. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

October 19th, 2007, 05:21 AM	#7
Kristina Bock New Boot Join Date: May 2007 Location: Churchill, Australia Posts: 5	Then we get to the fact that horror, as a genre is itself deemed gratuitous by many. The violence, gore, humiliation, etcetera.. is seen as gratuity for entertainment's sake. When is violence, gore, horror truly 'meaningful'? And how can I make it so in three minutes? how dilute do we need to be before it becomes un-scary and camp? (which, as usual, I'll end up doing anyway... It's my niche.. hehe ;-D) These are the questions I find I'm asking of myself, and of my desired choice of content. So... where is the line drawn for this particular challenge exactly? Can I show death? Can I show violence? Is it to be humorous? Tongues firmly placed in cheeks? I don't intend on creating a blood-fest of mayhem and death or anything, but that which is one person's tame is another's terrifying/disgusting. I'd love complete clarity (or some guidelines to what's expected and what's definitely not wanted.) before I go ahead filming anything at all. If anyone can help with that, Thanks! I don't want to offend, disturb or sicken anyone, but I really want to meet the requirement of 'scary'... I guess it's all how you interpret the theme, which is the beauty of this challenge! Thanks! :-) Cheers, Krissi.

October 19th, 2007, 05:50 AM	#8
Daniel Ross Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Marin & Davis, CA, USA Posts: 418	I completely agree, Krissi. I don't think you'd really offend any of us with content (at least the vast majority), but the issue with youtube's TOS and what may or may not be desired as being associated with THIS site will matter. It's a hard challenge-- do the absolute scariest thing without going over the top. "Run the fastest mile, in over 8 minutes." Then again, it's definitely part of the challenge. If I can help by answering a bit of that-- No, should not be comedy (though I'm sure some will enter parodies, which will probably be entertaining in their own way, though unlikely to win). Death should be just fine. I'm also a bit confused-- if the judges are picking the film subjectively, then will it really be based on fright factor or the best film, given the circumstances. Anyway, fun challenge indeed. (In other news, rough draft of my script is written; actors being contacted currently.)

October 19th, 2007, 09:18 AM	#10
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	well, i'm already out of this competition! all of my concepts are mired in camp, kitsch, parody, and 1930s-40s B-movie sensibility! i can't take horror seriously. perhaps a snuff film, who is willing to sacrifice themselves for my art, hm? ping me! okay, i have to say this thread is a hoot in itself. is anyone else laughing themselves silly each time you open it? enough reading! time to roust the zombie army!

October 19th, 2007, 12:53 PM	#12
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	who knew how twisted you were, marco? calling my bluff...thanks for the offer, though! I think. blech.

October 19th, 2007, 01:33 PM	#13
Daniel Ross Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Marin & Davis, CA, USA Posts: 418	Dylan, I'm more than happy to go and shoot stuff. But if I get back and it isn't allowed, I'll be annoyed. Fair enough? You write the rules, so it's your job to make us know what will work... if you don't, then fine by me as long as you don't turn around and change it later. Anyway, off for a pre-production meeting this evening.