Hi.
This is an invitation to participate in an ambitious and interesting film competition to be based around a set of specific rules.
The initial screening will be held at Mocha Maya’s in Shelburne Falls MA. This is a small cafe in western massachusetts that is very artist friendly and concerned with providing exposure to all forms of artistic expression.
There will be further distribution of the program past the initial screening night involving other spaces in this area, and over public access TV networks in the Northeast.
Depending on the amount of response we get we hope to present every film submitted and not cut anyone out - which means if you follow the rules of the contest you will get screened, and be included in the whatever further steps we take.
We want this to be something that goes beyond a mere film contest or film festival and provides the maximum amount of exposure to all involved.
There will be some sort of prize, or prizes for the top film, or top films - this will also depend on response. It will mostly be a cash prize taken from the entry fee total.
The entry fee will be 25$ (to be sent in with your submission).
We are gearing this as the first of an ongoing contest - At least bi-yearly, if not more frequent.
Submissions should be on DVD format, and can be received up to a week before the actual screening.
Submissions can be sent to
elijah rottenberg
21 n. catamount hill
colrain MA 01340
Questions can be sent to elijah@fastermac.net
Further information and a listing of the rules can be found at mochamayas.com
Rules for submitted films.
These rules CANNOT be broken.
1. Pieces cannot be longer then 10 min, shoot for 8 min or less. This is including all credits (10min 15secs is too long).
2. A tripod (or tripod equivilent) must be used for at least 75% of the production - unless there is a very very specific reason for the camera to be handheld, a reason relating to the content of the piece you are making - not “I don’t have a tripod.” This doesn’t mean the camera has to be in one spot for each of your shots - you can move the camera all you want just keep it steady.
3. All dialogue should be absolutely necessary and of vital importance to the film. Most things said can be shown just as effectively without words - make the films visually interesting.
4. As time is important don’t feel the need to have extensive credits before and after. No “blah blah productions presents a film by blah blah featuring so and so directed by this person and written by that person all while featuring this cast of actors”. Keep it simple. The only necessary thing to include would be what kind of camera and what format the film was shot on.
5. No guns. No gangsters. No assassins. We’re not interested in seeing cheap rip off's of Tarantino. Also: no zombies and no torture.
6. No cheap digital effects. Simple things like dissolves, slow/fast motion, color corrections, and some others are OK (Warning - if you use a star wipe your movie will be immediately stopped and your DVD destroyed on the spot - unless you’re making fun of how cheesy star wipes are... but don't push it).
7. If the piece exceeds 4 minutes in length it must contain either: 1 shot that lasts 30 seconds or more. Or: at least 2 shots 20 seconds or longer in length.
8. No documentaries. This is about doing narrative cinema in a short form (by ‘narrative’ I mean “storytelling” in the broadest way possible - as in “something happens”, as in “a rock rolls down a hill” is a story). Animation is completely acceptable - although check back to rule 6. Stop motion animation is encouraged.
9. Make your movie with the thought of showing it to hundreds of people you don’t know always in the back of your mind (imagine standing in front of a room of people in the dead silence right after they’ve seen something terrible, then the polite applause starts - don’t put yourself in that position). Be aware that comedy is one of the hardest things to pull off. We’re not interested in things that you and your friends think are hilarious, nor things that you and your friends think are cool.
10. People tend to look like what they are, so don’t try and pass your actors off as people they are not and could never ever be - like having your 13 year old brother talk about how tough it is being married with kids and how much he hates his job.
Notes about the rules:
These rules are not an attempt to infringe on anyone’s artistic rights but an effort to present a challenge to filmmakers to take themselves, their films, and their audiences seriously - with the new technologies available today the possibilities for the film form are finally endless and available to everyone - yet most everyone seems to be using the ease of digital (be it shooting DV or editing film on a computer) to simply get their movies made... while not giving any thought to making them right, or even relevant. I personally see no reason for this attitude other then a laziness or a selfishness on the part of the people making these movies. Simply getting a film “in the can” is no longer as impressive as it used to be, it has become too easy to make movies, it has become too easy for mediocrity and failure to pass as off “not bad”. These rules are merely me countering some of the aspects I think help lead to this “laziness”, in the hopes that taking something away will ultimately lead to much more.
And if you’re serious about film-making already you should have no problem with these rules.
Rule 1 - I feel that the short format (under 10 minutes) is an opportunity to experiment with film style and technique - to push the limits of what’s right... what’s right for my particular movie at this particular moment, and not what’s right for my favorite film that I want to copy.
Rule 2 - Merely emphasizing a point - use a tripod!! (or keep it steadysteadysteady) I’m not going to sit there with a stop watch and disqualify anyone for 74% tripod use.
Rule 3 - Movies are visual storytelling.
Rule 4 - I want to know, as I think others do as well.
There is no guideline for content beyond rule 5. Don’t feel like you have to change the world, impress anyone, or make a million dollars. Make something enjoyable - be it 35 seconds long or 10 minutes on the nose. There is no guidline for format - films do not have to be 16:9, nor color, nor sound... we are in fact hoping for a variety of formats (be it VHS to real film). There is no requirement for “professionalism” other then taking what you are doing seriously.
Rule 6 - I have a very small tolerance for most digital effects - I don’t think it looks real - I think it looks fake - and when people try and pull it off badly it makes me very very upset. The majority of over the counter digital effects programs are junk and if you need to rely on what they do you should rethink your project.
Rule 7 - There’s no reason why you need to cut every 10 seconds like most films do these days... it’s actually a rather cheap trick to force viewer interest by constantly flashing someting new. Have faith that what you are doing will be able to hold someone’s attention for longer then 15 seconds.
Rule 8 - “A rock rolls down a hill” is indeed a story, and done right could be a very entertaining one.
Rules 9 and 10 - I know, I know... these are very subjective rules, they will be judged based on whether or not I (as the viewer) feel like you are treating me with respect or if you are insulting me by making me watch your terrible movie. If you feel that unfair - so be it - I’m simply tired of seeing horrible film-making everywhere on a daily basis. Good filmmaking is not easy... bad filmmaking is easy. The difference, I believe, is sometimes merely being able to see how your movie looks to someone other then yourself, and the willingness to take the time to get what you want right. If you take what you are doing seriously, it WILL show through in the final product.
I put together 10 as a nod to the DOGME 95 movement, - a return to film-making basics/purity.
I also point (more firmly) to the Straight 8 film fests as inspiration - simple (yet challenging) film-making that’s as much about discovery and playfulness, as it is about “greatness”.
---If you don’t know about DOGME 95 or Straight 8... google it ---
Have fun and take some chances.
Make us think.
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