Video Contest Questions

If you've got questions about the rules and regulations for the Future Now! contest, here's the place to post them.

Formats question.

From the rules:

Formats accepted
Web video that has been compressed down but can still be viewed in full size (H.264 .mov or MPEG4 .mp4)
640x480 – SD compressed with H.264 .mov or MPEG4 .mp4 (maximum file size of 100MB)
640x360 – HD compressed with H.264 .mov or MPEG4 .mp4 (maximum file size of 100MB)
.avi extensions can not be accepted

What frame rate should we be working at 24fps - 25fps - 29.97fps - 30fps ? Or any frame rate we want ?

(Edited on 2007-02-05 10:37:00 by Lee_Wilson)

(Edited on 2007-02-05 10:37:32 by Lee_Wilson)

Any of these are fine.

OK, let's start with something simple. These free clips we should use, can we edit them or do we need to include them as is? If we can edit them, do they have to be recognizable?

(I have on occasions used live footage as distortion matte for an animation... )

Can we use legally purchased third party content like:
- Stock clips from iStockvideo or elsewhere?
- Stock images from here or elsewhere?
- Fonts that come with OS or graphic programm?
- 2D or 3D content that come with sufficient licence?
- Sound Effects from RF sources?
- Music from RF sources?
- Our own musical compositions, played by ourself (or our band)?

OK, I'll stop there, but there's more to come, depending on the answers...

Cheers !

Here's another... What to do if the submission is funny for some and horror for others...? I had two people read my script. One laughed and giggled for several minutes, the other was horrified and asked how I had come to such a negative view of the world... Yes, it was the same script. I checked twice!

Q: Audio Question

Is audio good at 16 bit / 48khz stereo uncompressed ?

(Edited on 2007-02-05 10:46:43 by Lee_Wilson)

Okay let's see if we can establish some clarity here.

They can be edited, but since inclusion of the clips is a requirement of the contest, the entry will be rejected if we do not recognize the clip or photo. I suspect that using a clip as a distortion mask would make it pretty much invisible as far as judging goes.

- Stock clips and images from iStockphoto or elsewhere are OK, if the license for those clips permit it. No logos though, none.
- Fonts that you have a license to use are permitted.
- 2D, 3D content all good.
- Music is fine too.

You do not need to submit proof of all of these licenses or authorships to submit. However, if you do make the short list, you will be asked to submit written documentation which explicitly demonstrates your rights to use any copyright material that is not solely yours, including RF clips, photos, sound FX, music, as well as model releases for the actors.

Maybe you need a larger test audience

You can leave your audio uncompressed, or compress it, but be careful not to destroy it with compression. 16 bit is good. Best advice, test test test then submit. The audience will be people sitting in front of computers and their magnificant sound systems so design your sound for that.

Is there a list of people we can bribe or blackmail to help our chances in the competition ?

Are there any staff at istock HQ with a weakness for either hard drugs, 'ladyboys' or with large gambling debts who would crack under the strain of a couple of poorly photoshopped pictures doing the rounds on the internet ?



Any info appreciated.

Lee

Ok, concerning the "no logo" thing: I assume that it only counts for "real" logos, just as per the normal photo and video admission process. We can still "make up" our own logos, right?

Is shooting a parody of a (more or less) famous film scene within the limits?

Yes, we have just such a list, and I am the only name on. Please send two ladyboys, $40 in unmarked bills, and a two Lomo LCAs to

Attn: Tyler Stalman
C/O iStockphoto
1202 - 20 Avenue SE
Calgary AB T2G 1M8
Canada

(Edited on 2007-02-05 15:02:24 by Stalman)

I am not sure what a Lomo LCA is but I will ask around in the toilets of my local pub.

Thank you for the information, I feel I am ahead in this race already.



Lee.

Can the submission consist of entirely istock material? I don't have a video camera, but would love to win one, so I need to get creative with what I do have access to..... Can the entire submission be made in Flash and/or 3Ds Max (incorporating the requirements, of course)?

(Edited on 2007-02-05 20:14:08 by hhoefele)

• Does the video have to be in English? If it were in another language, would subtitles suffice?

• Where can we download the clips? Can we use the "free clips of the week" as well?

• (someone already asked, but I dont see an answer) Can we use ONLY the provided istockvideo? or do we have to use our own video?

Is there any way that the free video clips can be provided in a smaller file size? These big file sizes are hard to work with?

Very good idea me thinks ! For those not on a 16mb connection having the files at the submission size might be very useful.

As long as the full size versions don't disappear... I'd prefere to do the croping myself.

OK... Will Germany (that's in Europe) qualify as "a country or jurisdiction in which the Contest Rules fully satisfy all legal requirements for a contest of this nature"?