I’ve been sent some info about this film comp, and I’m going to share it with you, but I’m also going to add my opinion since I’ve touched on this throughout my psych degree, and have found lots of evidence to suggest why these kinds of campaigns don’t work. First the info;
The Face Facts short film competition is asking young Aussies to produce an original 60-second film to highlight the dangers associated with taking the drug ecstasy. The competition asks the question – how would you warn your own mates about the dangers of taking ecstasy. The winning film will receive a cool $10k cash, while five runner-ups will pocket $1k each.
The competition opened at 10am today, and those keen to get involved can find more details at the microsite (here). Entries close on April 30, when six final films will be chosen and uploaded to this microsite. Then anyone can log on, watch the films, and vote for their favourite to be in with a chance of winning $5k themselves!
My objections are pretty simple and you can read them after the jump…
Having seen The Men Who Stare At Goats, one can only imagine how the pitch might have gone. “So, there’s this book, about psychics. In the army. The United States Military set up a Jedi training camp – yeah, we’re calling them Jedis – to train people with psychic ability to fight Iraqis. Or communism. Whatever you want. And George Clooney’s gonna be in it! Why are you looking at me like that?”
Well, at least it’s original.
What: Video Comp Deadline
Where: Llama Bar
When: 5 March 2009
Cost/Ticket details: Free
This isn’t the event with the awards ceremony, this is the deadline date. Run Rabbit Run says… “Open call to all moviemakers, video artists, VJ’s, digital animators, machinimators stop-motion freaks, rotoscopers and other slaves to the moving imgae medium.
Your Mission – to interpret the phrase “Run Rabbit Run”
The Rules – There are no rules
The Prize – Judges Prize: $1000
- Peoples’ Prize $250
The deadline – 5 March 2010
Award Ceremony – 18 March 2010 at Llama Bar
I was worried about Where The Wild Things Are. I thought it might be ill with a terrible, often fatal disease. This disease has many names, but I call it “Perfect Trailer Syndrome”. It’s an unfortunate sickness that befalls the efforts of many a filmmaker, where a short version of their film, lasting a couple of minutes and usually set to an amazing soundtrack, so totally encapsulates the feeling of their creation that when audiences finally see the full result, there are few surprises and even fewer positive reviews. The Watchmen is a great example. As one noted expert in the field (my brother) said, “If the whole movie had just been four-second action clips set to Smashing Pumpkins songs, it would have been a great film.” Spike Jonze’s latest offering, Where The Wild Things Are, seemed like another prime candidate for Perfect Trailer Syndrome. When that two-minute, Arcade Fire-backed clip exploded all over YouTube earlier this year, it became an immediate sensation thanks to its whimsical feel and outstanding visuals. But at the back of everyone’s mind was the question: can the hundred-minute film deliver anything more?
The answer is yes – just.
