The DV Challenge Rules... in case you forgot. ;) at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · December 10th, 2006, 12:23 AM

The maximum duration of your film is three minutes, however we allow you some additional time in case you need to run a little over, or have longer credits or titles. How much extra time? We won't say, but don't push your luck much past 20-30 seconds. There is no penalty for films shorter than 3 minutes, so you can enter with a 40 second film if you like.

You are entirely responsible for putting your film up on the web. We cannot help you with this, but we will provide some info to help you. If your film is not available for us to see at the scheduled time, it is not our responsibility and you are out of judging. You may not show your film publicly before we post it on our website.

Your movie must be able to be viewed by all judges. We suggest you use Quicktime, but be aware that not all judges may have the latest version, so cutting edge is not always best. See this thread for rendering tips.

When the theme is announced on a Thursday morning, the deadline is 11:59:59 PM Pacific Time, the following Sunday (10 days later) night. Sometimes we go to bed early, which makes us slightly flexible on the deadline but if it isn’t there when we check email Monday morning, you are definitely out.

You must begin your film with a title. Please, do not make the title the same or similar to the theme. If the theme is “cats”, don’t call your movie “Cats”, “The Cats”, or “A Cat”. Films titles “untitled” will be frowned upon. Very descriptive titles are good as it helps your film stick out in the judges minds when trying to remember which film is which.

You must have credits at the end. These do not count in your time limit, but be conservative with them, please.

YOUR FILM MUST BE ALL NEW MATERIAL.

Photo montages and animation are not acceptable as a film. It must be live video. 50% of your score will be on the use of the theme. If you cheat and shoot ahead of time, and ditch the theme, you will lose.

All levels of competition are welcome, from high school to Hollywood. We don’t care what you shoot your movie on.

You retain 100% ownership of your film, and are 100% responsible for its content.

If you plan on using copyright music or material, be prepared to provide proof that you have the rights to use it. If you cannot provide proof, we will either disqualify you, or judge your film with the volume turned off depending on how the music is used.

David Cummings · December 10th, 2006, 02:47 PM

so I cant use any footage shot before thursday? even if it were my footage and I used it sparingly?

Mike Teutsch · December 10th, 2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan Couper

YOUR FILM MUST BE ALL NEW MATERIAL.

Dylan,

You initial post of the theme said that we can use old footage. I'm guessing because of the theme?!?!?!?!

See rule #3 from your post. Is this changed?

A few things will change on this challenge, one time only!
1) You can join in even AFTER the theme has been posted!
2) The time limit will be more flexible.
3) The rules on using previously shot footage will be waived!
4) Possibly one other one will be changed, but I'm not telling which.

Mike

Mike Teutsch · December 10th, 2006, 02:59 PM

Dylan,

I know photo montages count as video, but is it acceptable to have a photo in your movie. Kind of goes with Memories theme. I do have one photo that I would like to use.

Mike

Mike Horrigan · December 10th, 2006, 03:52 PM

I'm also hoping that the time limit is a little more flexible as well.
As per the change listed under 2)

I'll try not to go crazy though... :)

I made a new opening since the original opening I made was titled "Memories", and breaks one of the rules. It's all good, I prefer the new opening over the first one. The new title/opening relates much better to the meaning of the film.

Mike Teutsch · December 11th, 2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Teutsch

Dylan,

I know photo montages count as video, but is it acceptable to have a photo in your movie. Kind of goes with Memories theme. I do have one photo that I would like to use.

Mike

This of course should say the photo montages DO NOT count as veideo, but the queston still remains.

Mike

Dylan Couper · December 11th, 2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Teutsch

Dylan,

You initial post of the theme said that we can use old footage. I'm guessing because of the theme?!?!?!?!

See rule #3 from your post. Is this changed?

A few things will change on this challenge, one time only!
1) You can join in even AFTER the theme has been posted!
2) The time limit will be more flexible.
3) The rules on using previously shot footage will be waived!
4) Possibly one other one will be changed, but I'm not telling which.

Mike

Oops, I should have revamped those rules, just for DVC7.
Thanks for picking that up Mike!

Yes, you can use old footage in this competition only!
Also, photo montages DO NOT count as video.

Good luck everyone!

Dylan Couper · December 11th, 2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Teutsch

Dylan,

I know photo montages count as video, but is it acceptable to have a photo in your movie. Kind of goes with Memories theme. I do have one photo that I would like to use.

Mike

Absolutely!

Mike Horrigan · December 11th, 2006, 08:41 PM

What about rule number 2)?

"2) The time limit will be more flexible."

How flexible are we talking? :)

Mike Horrigan · December 13th, 2006, 07:33 AM

Can I get an answer on rule number 2?

Are we talking a few extra seconds, or up to a minute?

Just curious... :)

Thanks,

Mike

Dylan Couper · December 13th, 2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Horrigan

Can I get an answer on rule number 2?

Are we talking a few extra seconds, or up to a minute?

Just curious... :)

Thanks,

Mike

Usually you can have another 30 seconds, including titles.

Mike Horrigan · December 14th, 2006, 08:04 AM

Thanks Dylan!

That might be perfect for me...

Mike

Mike Horrigan · December 14th, 2006, 08:40 PM

UGH!

I'm stuck at 3 Minutes 45 Seconds! My opening title is only about 8 seconds...

I understand that closing credits don't count as time. I only have 4 names anyway...

Any advice on how to trim the fat? I've gone over it twice and I can't seem to get it any shorter without hurting the story.

I'm new at this so any advice will be helpful!

Thanks,

Mike

Michael Fossenkemper · December 14th, 2006, 10:06 PM

well you could get rid of the opening title, that buys you 8 seconds. you could also speed up the end credits for a second more time.

I think my first edit is clocking in at 5 min. So I've got a LOT of trimming to do.

One thing you can to is to have some people look at it and tell you what parts aren't necessary. might help you find a bit here or there that you can cut out.

Mike Teutsch · December 14th, 2006, 10:30 PM

Personally, I think that the time limit should just be set at a hard limit, say 5 minutes and make it permanant. If you go over 5 minutes you're out PERIOD,
but anything under that is acceptable.

Soft limits are just too subjective and have caused problems in the past. How much extra is too much????? Do the credits count?? Gets asked every time.

It may be too late for this round, maybe, but how about for the next one at least we have a hard limit of 5 minutes to include all credits, titles and etc. and make it firm. You don't make it your film is disqualified.

All of us kids need firm boundries and limits set by our parents, so how about it Dylan----ahh---Dad?

Mike

December 10th, 2006, 12:23 AM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	The DV Challenge Rules... in case you forgot. ;) The maximum duration of your film is three minutes, however we allow you some additional time in case you need to run a little over, or have longer credits or titles. How much extra time? We won't say, but don't push your luck much past 20-30 seconds. There is no penalty for films shorter than 3 minutes, so you can enter with a 40 second film if you like. You are entirely responsible for putting your film up on the web. We cannot help you with this, but we will provide some info to help you. If your film is not available for us to see at the scheduled time, it is not our responsibility and you are out of judging. You may not show your film publicly before we post it on our website. Your movie must be able to be viewed by all judges. We suggest you use Quicktime, but be aware that not all judges may have the latest version, so cutting edge is not always best. See this thread for rendering tips. When the theme is announced on a Thursday morning, the deadline is 11:59:59 PM Pacific Time, the following Sunday (10 days later) night. Sometimes we go to bed early, which makes us slightly flexible on the deadline but if it isn’t there when we check email Monday morning, you are definitely out. You must begin your film with a title. Please, do not make the title the same or similar to the theme. If the theme is “cats”, don’t call your movie “Cats”, “The Cats”, or “A Cat”. Films titles “untitled” will be frowned upon. Very descriptive titles are good as it helps your film stick out in the judges minds when trying to remember which film is which. You must have credits at the end. These do not count in your time limit, but be conservative with them, please. YOUR FILM MUST BE ALL NEW MATERIAL. Photo montages and animation are not acceptable as a film. It must be live video. 50% of your score will be on the use of the theme. If you cheat and shoot ahead of time, and ditch the theme, you will lose. All levels of competition are welcome, from high school to Hollywood. We don’t care what you shoot your movie on. You retain 100% ownership of your film, and are 100% responsible for its content. If you plan on using copyright music or material, be prepared to provide proof that you have the rights to use it. If you cannot provide proof, we will either disqualify you, or judge your film with the volume turned off depending on how the music is used. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com Last edited by Rob Lohman; December 10th, 2006 at 11:09 AM.

December 10th, 2006, 02:59 PM	#4
Mike Teutsch Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 2,614	Dylan, I know photo montages count as video, but is it acceptable to have a photo in your movie. Kind of goes with Memories theme. I do have one photo that I would like to use. Mike __________________ Chapter one, line one. The BH.

December 10th, 2006, 03:52 PM	#5
Mike Horrigan Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 755	I'm also hoping that the time limit is a little more flexible as well. As per the change listed under 2) I'll try not to go crazy though... :) I made a new opening since the original opening I made was titled "Memories", and breaks one of the rules. It's all good, I prefer the new opening over the first one. The new title/opening relates much better to the meaning of the film. __________________ My short films... The Interview & Calls From The Führerbunker Last edited by Mike Horrigan; December 10th, 2006 at 08:01 PM.

December 11th, 2006, 08:41 PM	#9
Mike Horrigan Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 755	What about rule number 2)? "2) The time limit will be more flexible." How flexible are we talking? :) __________________ My short films... The Interview & Calls From The Führerbunker

December 13th, 2006, 07:33 AM	#10
Mike Horrigan Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 755	Can I get an answer on rule number 2? Are we talking a few extra seconds, or up to a minute? Just curious... :) Thanks, Mike __________________ My short films... The Interview & Calls From The Führerbunker

December 10th, 2006, 02:47 PM	#2
David Cummings Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: denver, colorado Posts: 80	so I cant use any footage shot before thursday? even if it were my footage and I used it sparingly?

December 14th, 2006, 08:04 AM	#12
Mike Horrigan Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 755	Thanks Dylan! That might be perfect for me... Mike __________________ My short films... The Interview & Calls From The Führerbunker

December 14th, 2006, 08:40 PM	#13
Mike Horrigan Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 755	UGH! I'm stuck at 3 Minutes 45 Seconds! My opening title is only about 8 seconds... I understand that closing credits don't count as time. I only have 4 names anyway... Any advice on how to trim the fat? I've gone over it twice and I can't seem to get it any shorter without hurting the story. I'm new at this so any advice will be helpful! Thanks, Mike __________________ My short films... The Interview & Calls From The Führerbunker

December 14th, 2006, 10:06 PM	#14
Michael Fossenkemper Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC, weeee. Posts: 417	well you could get rid of the opening title, that buys you 8 seconds. you could also speed up the end credits for a second more time. I think my first edit is clocking in at 5 min. So I've got a LOT of trimming to do. One thing you can to is to have some people look at it and tell you what parts aren't necessary. might help you find a bit here or there that you can cut out.

December 14th, 2006, 10:30 PM	#15
Mike Teutsch Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 2,614	Personally, I think that the time limit should just be set at a hard limit, say 5 minutes and make it permanant. If you go over 5 minutes you're out PERIOD, but anything under that is acceptable. Soft limits are just too subjective and have caused problems in the past. How much extra is too much????? Do the credits count?? Gets asked every time. It may be too late for this round, maybe, but how about for the next one at least we have a hard limit of 5 minutes to include all credits, titles and etc. and make it firm. You don't make it your film is disqualified. All of us kids need firm boundries and limits set by our parents, so how about it Dylan----ahh---Dad? Mike __________________ Chapter one, line one. The BH.