Rules
THE BIG RULE: EVERYTHING must be done within the 24-hour period. This includes your slick production graphics.
The other big rules are to be a good sport, challenge yourself, and have fun. Beyond that, here are a few tips:
The Video: The total run time, including credits, of all videos must be 5 minutes or under. To be eligible for competition, it must be turned in at the finish line before midnight on May 17, 2008.
Format: We accept only miniDV shot in standard 4:3 mode. Period. If you shoot in 16:9 you will need to squeeze or letterbox the image in post. We will make no adjustments whatsoever to accommodate any formats other than miniDV or aspect ratios other than 4:3. If you shoot or create in another format (film, HD, 24P, etc.), you will need to transfer it to miniDV.
Crewmembers: You should count as part of your crew: anyone who writes, conceives, or contributes substantially to the script, and, of course, the production crew. This includes: Director(s), Producer(s), Camera operators, Production Assistants, Location or Studio Sound Recordists, Grips, Gaffers, Lighting directors, Editors, Composers, Location scouts, etc. Anyone above or below-the-line personnel on a “real” production should be counted. In short, anyone who directs the actors, holds a camera, a mic, or a clapper, anyone who sets up the lights, writes your script, digitizes and edits your footage, composes the score, animates your opening titles, or otherwise plays a substantial role in conceiving, writing, producing, or post-producing your video. You don’t need to include the following people as crew members, unless they also take over a crew function: actors (see below), extras, musicians under the direction of the composer, moms, dads, sisters, or grandmothers who run out to Starbucks, the pizza delivery guy, unless you ask him to hold a mic, The Red Bull teams, or the bewildered people you encounter at the surprise location, unless you ask them to hold a mic.
Actors: For counting team members: don’t count actors in the team size, unless the actor is doubling as a crewmember as well.
Equipment: You are expected to provide your own cameras, microphones, lights, editing systems, and other equipment. You can own it, rent it, beg for it, borrow it, or steal it (just kidding), but we can’t provide it for you. What we will provide you is one miniDV tape. If you choose to use a different brand of tape, you may, but you are required to turn in the final video on miniDV. NTSC, SP speed, 30 fps video ONLY. No DVCam. No DigiBeta. No HD. No Digital 8. No 16:9. No exceptions. Bars and countdown are suggested, but not required. If you shoot in another format, you will need to transfer it to miniDV.
Out of Town? You are welcome to shoot and edit your video anywhere, but it must be turned in by the midnight deadline at our Finish Line. No special arrangements will be made to accommodate out of town teams.
Judges: We are extremely grateful to have a panel of distinguished judges from the film and video community, who are graciously donating their time and expertise. The judges have been vetted for conflicts of interest and we can assure their impartiality and diligence. The judges’ decisions are final and their scorecards are confidential. Why do we do this? Because every year we get a handful of disgruntled teams who think they should have won but didn't, and they want to second-guess the judges. If you were a judge--especially a volunteer doing it out of the goodness of his or her heart--would you want to have to deal with an angry filmmaker? Some preferences are subjective--that's the nature of film.
If you wish to recommend someone with the qualifications and interest in being a judge, please contact the Race Commissioner, steve.alford@alfordmedia.com.
Required Elements & Judging Criteria: Just prior to the start of the race, a special video will reveal this year’s theme, location, prop and line of dialogue. At the starting line, we will provide teams with a document detailing the required elements and the criteria by which the videos will be judged. We make it as clear as possible. The best way to win is to pay attention to creatively integrating the required elements. Your video might be brilliant, but if it doesn't meet the criteria, it won't win.
Judging Rounds: There is much that we can’t determine until we have some idea of how many teams participate, and how many teams actually finish the race on time. However, this is what we do know: when you turn in your tape at or before midnight, May 17, you will draw a number that will assign you a random group (by category) and your screening order within that group. The screening schedule will be posted on our website on Monday, May 19th. Judging will be tournament style, in which all videos will be screened and judged in preliminary rounds held over three evenings—Tues. May 20, Wed. May 21, and Thurs. May 22—at the Angelika Film Center-Dallas. We will screen in groups of 5-8 (depending on number of videos that make it to the finish line) by category. Videos advancing to the Finals Round will be judged on Tues. May 27. The awards ceremony will take place at the end of the Finals Rounds.