The DV Challenge Rules... in case you forgot. ;)

Dylan Couper · December 14th, 2006, 11:34 PM

Actually, I think the original rule was "3 minutes, if you need a couple extra seconds, it's Ok." I'd interpret that as 15 seconds. You could probably have another 10 for credits, but if you went over 3:30 for BOTH you'd really bepushing your luck!

Mike Teutsch · December 14th, 2006, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan Couper

couple extra seconds--------I'd interpret that as ----You could probably have ----really bepushing your luck!

Get what I'm talking about? Let's set a HARD limit that everyone has no problem understanding. No more problem!

Mike

Lorinda Norton · December 15th, 2006, 01:38 AM

I've always beat the drum for keeping the Challenge as close to three minutes as possible. Sometimes it just pains us to cut stuff; for instance, I'm having to axe a scene of which I spoke earlier in the week. (Probably just as well, but now it's so boring!) And a couple times all my cutting has led to even more confusion about my messages. But it should teach us to choose a tighter, less complex story, I suppose.

When we're all watching the entries we will be glad for the current time limit! :)

Dennis Khaye · December 15th, 2006, 04:18 AM

@ Mike Horrigan: My writing prof used to say, "You have to kill your babies."

Essentially it means 'cut till hurts.' But there are some sneaky ways you could fix it up some.

Make a 3 frame overlap between every cut.

If you have awkward pauses where an actor is thinking, waiting for a reaction or just took too much time, you can cut to an isolation shot then cut back to the actor and delete a little time that way.

Make your opening credits a two second fade in and out of the title only.

Bonus points if you can 'establish the theme,' 'establish your protagonist' or 'set up the inciting incident' by FADING IN on action going on behind your title.

Don't look at having to kill, delete, remove 45 seconds. Just cut tight.

Sorry if these things are obvious to you but it's all I can think of at the moment.

Mike Horrigan · December 15th, 2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Khaye

@ Mike Horrigan: My writing prof used to say, "You have to kill your babies."

Essentially it means 'cut till hurts.' But there are some sneaky ways you could fix it up some.

Make a 3 frame overlap between every cut.

If you have awkward pauses where an actor is thinking, waiting for a reaction or just took too much time, you can cut to an isolation shot then cut back to the actor and delete a little time that way.

Make your opening credits a two second fade in and out of the title only.

Bonus points if you can 'establish the theme,' 'establish your protagonist' or 'set up the inciting incident' by FADING IN on action going on behind your title.

Don't look at having to kill, delete, remove 45 seconds. Just cut tight.

Sorry if these things are obvious to you but it's all I can think of at the moment.

Great advice. Like I said, this is my first shot at this contest so I was just seeing what the boundaries were. Now that I know that 3:30 is the breaking point I'll have to do my best to come in at 3:29! Title and credits included. ;)

Thanks for all the advice, I'll trim the fat and streamline this baby. I love a challenge. :)

BTW, a 5 minute "hard" limit with everything included would suit me fine.

Mike Teutsch · December 15th, 2006, 08:20 AM

If most seem to want them shorter then how about a 3:30 hard limit?

Just keeps it simple.

Mike

Chris Barcellos · December 15th, 2006, 10:38 AM

Can I sell some of my seconds, I am going to run short.... :)

Mike Horrigan · December 15th, 2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

Can I sell some of my seconds, I am going to run short.... :)

LOL!

I'm now down to 3:30

Looking good for time now...

December 14th, 2006, 11:34 PM	#16
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Actually, I think the original rule was "3 minutes, if you need a couple extra seconds, it's Ok." I'd interpret that as 15 seconds. You could probably have another 10 for credits, but if you went over 3:30 for BOTH you'd really bepushing your luck! __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

December 15th, 2006, 01:38 AM	#18
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	I've always beat the drum for keeping the Challenge as close to three minutes as possible. Sometimes it just pains us to cut stuff; for instance, I'm having to axe a scene of which I spoke earlier in the week. (Probably just as well, but now it's so boring!) And a couple times all my cutting has led to even more confusion about my messages. But it should teach us to choose a tighter, less complex story, I suppose. When we're all watching the entries we will be glad for the current time limit! :) __________________ Lorinda

December 15th, 2006, 08:20 AM	#21
Mike Teutsch Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 2,614	If most seem to want them shorter then how about a 3:30 hard limit? Just keeps it simple. Mike __________________ Chapter one, line one. The BH.

December 15th, 2006, 10:38 AM	#22
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Can I sell some of my seconds, I am going to run short.... :) __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

December 15th, 2006, 04:18 AM	#19
Dennis Khaye Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 255	@ Mike Horrigan: My writing prof used to say, "You have to kill your babies." Essentially it means 'cut till hurts.' But there are some sneaky ways you could fix it up some. Make a 3 frame overlap between every cut. If you have awkward pauses where an actor is thinking, waiting for a reaction or just took too much time, you can cut to an isolation shot then cut back to the actor and delete a little time that way. Make your opening credits a two second fade in and out of the title only. Bonus points if you can 'establish the theme,' 'establish your protagonist' or 'set up the inciting incident' by FADING IN on action going on behind your title. Don't look at having to kill, delete, remove 45 seconds. Just cut tight. Sorry if these things are obvious to you but it's all I can think of at the moment.