Prize suggestions for a film fest? at DVinfo.net

Lori Starfelt · June 8th, 2010, 12:23 PM

I'm organizing a film festival for shorts, and I'd like to hand out some interesting prizes. So, I'm wondering - if you were making a short, and you won a Best Film award at a festival, what would be a satisfying prize for you?

I've been thinking about producing a short for the winner, because, for a lot of directors, the producing is the boring part. How would that be? A great script, written by a real writer, a real DP with real equipment, good actors and finesse editing - what do you think?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Andrew Smith · June 10th, 2010, 06:13 AM

Those iPads seem to be the flavor of the month. Throw in some cinematographic related software to make it even cooler and you should have something worth competing for.

Andrew

Lori Starfelt · June 10th, 2010, 06:49 PM

Yeah, except they'll wind up on Ebay in a month, being sold for half price. I'm trying to find something that you can actually do something with.

Andrew Smith · June 10th, 2010, 09:18 PM

A lighting kit? Because light and its use makes all the difference. When you've shelled out for a camera and good microphones ... lighting is what you next aspire to.

For bonus points, throw in some one-on-one lighting tutoring from a real live DP.

Andrew

Brian Drysdale · June 12th, 2010, 07:03 AM

Production funding is offered by some short film festivals. Making the short eligible for Oscar nomination is a prize that some festivals offer to their award winner.

Often directors of shorts aren't into camera and lighting equipment, they tend to want something that will help progress their career or their film.

Lori Starfelt · June 12th, 2010, 01:05 PM

That's what I'm thinking. A lot of people already own their own equipment. I want to come up with things that help move their career down the road. That's why I'm thinking that if I produce a short for them, with excellent resources, so that they have something really, really superb on their reel, that might make a difference for some people. I happen to love producing and for a lot of directors, having someone onboard to pull all the resources together, and get it through post, would make a real difference.

And yes, to making it available for Academy consideration - that's a great suggestion.

Dennis Stevens · July 23rd, 2010, 10:36 AM

Career consultation with an experienced Director/Producer? They might not like what they hear, but realistic advice from an industry veterans would help.

If they are of the writerly persuasion, maybe a talk with a script consultant? Gift card to Learn Screenwriting, Creative Writing, Movie Making & Filmmaking. I think filmmakers should at least take a whack at writing - I think us little indie guys (and gals) usually write our own scripts, so learn to write.

Some of the production software, like Gorilla (I'm fogetting the name)?

Not to be too far off topic, I always thought it would be great prize to do a short film with really good character actors, and maybe a good veteran DP.

June 8th, 2010, 12:23 PM	#1
Lori Starfelt Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles, california Posts: 228	Prize suggestions for a film fest? I'm organizing a film festival for shorts, and I'd like to hand out some interesting prizes. So, I'm wondering - if you were making a short, and you won a Best Film award at a festival, what would be a satisfying prize for you? I've been thinking about producing a short for the winner, because, for a lot of directors, the producing is the boring part. How would that be? A great script, written by a real writer, a real DP with real equipment, good actors and finesse editing - what do you think? Any suggestions are appreciated.

June 10th, 2010, 06:13 AM	#2
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,065	Those iPads seem to be the flavor of the month. Throw in some cinematographic related software to make it even cooler and you should have something worth competing for. Andrew

June 10th, 2010, 06:49 PM	#3
Lori Starfelt Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles, california Posts: 228	Yeah, except they'll wind up on Ebay in a month, being sold for half price. I'm trying to find something that you can actually do something with.

June 10th, 2010, 09:18 PM	#4
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,065	A lighting kit? Because light and its use makes all the difference. When you've shelled out for a camera and good microphones ... lighting is what you next aspire to. For bonus points, throw in some one-on-one lighting tutoring from a real live DP. Andrew

June 12th, 2010, 07:03 AM	#5
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Production funding is offered by some short film festivals. Making the short eligible for Oscar nomination is a prize that some festivals offer to their award winner. Often directors of shorts aren't into camera and lighting equipment, they tend to want something that will help progress their career or their film.

June 12th, 2010, 01:05 PM	#6
Lori Starfelt Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles, california Posts: 228	That's what I'm thinking. A lot of people already own their own equipment. I want to come up with things that help move their career down the road. That's why I'm thinking that if I produce a short for them, with excellent resources, so that they have something really, really superb on their reel, that might make a difference for some people. I happen to love producing and for a lot of directors, having someone onboard to pull all the resources together, and get it through post, would make a real difference. And yes, to making it available for Academy consideration - that's a great suggestion.

July 23rd, 2010, 10:36 AM	#7
Dennis Stevens Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 425	Career consultation with an experienced Director/Producer? They might not like what they hear, but realistic advice from an industry veterans would help. If they are of the writerly persuasion, maybe a talk with a script consultant? Gift card to Learn Screenwriting, Creative Writing, Movie Making & Filmmaking. I think filmmakers should at least take a whack at writing - I think us little indie guys (and gals) usually write our own scripts, so learn to write. Some of the production software, like Gorilla (I'm fogetting the name)? Not to be too far off topic, I always thought it would be great prize to do a short film with really good character actors, and maybe a good veteran DP.