Film-making Rules

ALL RULES LISTED BELOW:

Rules, 7-Day Breakdown, and Movie Poster Rules

 

The Basics

On DAY 1, the 7-Day Film Challenge will assign the following 6 items to participants via email.  The required elements must appear in the finished film.

1. (Required) Character: Maria (or Mario) Capello age 15 -
2. (Required) That Character's Backstory:  is 'a Media Student who thinks they deserves better grades' in the film.
3. (Required) Prop:   a banana, an umbrella and a ball of some sort must be used in the film by any character.
4. (Required) Two Lines of Dialogue: "It's not easy being me" and "Only time can tell where darkness lies" must be spoken verbatim by any character.
5. (Optional) Cinematic Technique: "Dutch Tilt" can be used creatively in the film, but it's only optional.
6. (Required) Genres. One, from the list below is to be 'chosen from a hat' for each filmmaking team.

NOTE: The list of genres will be posted on our website and sent to the teachers well prior to Day 1 in order for students and teachers to research them in preparation of Day 1. 

THE ACTUAL GENRES FOR THIS YEAR --  ROMANCE;  SUSPENSE; THRILLER;  SCI-FI; FANTASY;  FOREIGN; SILENT;  BUDDY FILM;  FISH OUT OF WATER;  SUPERHERO;  MISTAKEN IDENTITY, UTOPIAN/DYSTOPIAN FICTION; (classic) HORROR MOVIE; SLICE OF LIFE; SPORTS/GAMES; WESTERN.

SPECIAL RULE FOR GENRE:  Any filmmaking team may trade-in the genre they 'pick from a hat' on Day 1 and replace it with a special genre.  We will announce this special trade-in genre on Day 5. This is the ONLY way to change the genre 'chosen from a hat.'
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Cinematic Technique Note:  The Cinematic Technique is optional.  The use (or non use) of our assigned technique will not impact the films 'score' from the judges.  There will, however, be a special award for 'best use' of this technique.  Each year, the technique will be posted on our website and sent to the teachers well prior to Day 1 in order to prepare.

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Overall Challenge Rules

The following rules apply to each participating group/production team:

A. Deadlines, times and locations:

1.  The 7-Day Film Challenge will occur in the second to last week of the year and will include a 48-Hour film challenge on days 5, 6 and 7.

2.  Deadline:  The participating STUDENTS must complete the film/video work in time to deliver it to Mr Sinclair on Day 7 BY 12:00.  Also, the students submit the film's information and movie poster by 12:00 on Day 7 (Sunday)of the Challenge.  

3.  Each Filmmaking team is responsible for uploading their finished film(s) itself by 12:00 on day Day 7.

4.   Any film(s) NOT submitted to the 7-Day Film Challenge by 12:00 will be disqualified.

5.  Only works that meet the deadline will be officially part of the competition.  All work can be completed on or off campus, including writing, editing, and filming.  Work can be completed at home, at night, or over a weekend. Work cannot be completed during lesson times without signed permission from the teacher concerned. All people featured in your film must sign agreements that they will appear in your film. Background people not included 

6.  The ​campus and surrounding property can be used as a location. Be creative in choosing your films location! If that property is not owned and operated by FIS, permission to film there must be granted BEFORE shooting takes place.

7.  All workshops associated with this film challenge will occur between 15:30 and 17:00 during the first 4-days of the challenge. On Day 5, all participants will gather in the Upper School Auditorium at 12:00 to receive their challenge packages and for their film 'Genre' allocations. Filmmaking workshops will be offered in 4 key areas (1)Pre-Production, (2)Production (3) Post-Production and (4) Promotion, Each participant must attend at least 2 workshops.

8.  ALL WORK (the writing, the filming, the editing, etc...) can be done on or off campus but must occur within the 48-Hour Film Challenge period. 


B. All creativity must take place during the "Official 7-Day Time Period":

Any creativity work in advance of the competition timeline is prohibited. Creative work includes, but is not limited to:

•               Script writing, rehearsing, filming, scoring and editing.  These must ONLY be done during the official 48-Hour Time Period.

C.  Work done PRIOR to Day 1 + Cast and Crew Rules

•               The only work that can be done PRIOR to Day 1:  

• Researching genres and cinematic techniques.

• Attending relevant workshops.

• Securing locations and equipment.

• Organizing your cast and crew for the film.

CAST AND CREW RULE:  

1.  Simply put, this project is open to anyone who would like to participate. There are three key groups of participants (1) Media Production and Broadcasting students, (2) other students interested in filmmaking, and (3) any adults (Faculty/Staff or Parents) interested in filmmaking.

2.  Where possible the STUDENTS of that school must be the principal actors in the film made by students.  

3.  Adults can be participants as actors, but they should not be the principal actors (unless they are part of the adult filmmakers project.  

4.  Anyone at all appearing in the film (in a principle role), must sign an actors agreement form.


D. All footage must be shot during the 48-Hours of the Challenge:

•               No stock footage or footage shot or created at another time may be used. 

•               Animation is permitted, but MUST be created during the 48-Hours of the Challenge.  Video effects (such as 'smoke effects' or 'explosion effects') are permitted as long as the school / student has the rights to use them. 

•               Still photographs are permitted, provided that the team has the rights to them. The photos do need to be created during the 48-Hours of the Challenge.

E. Teams must register and secure the details of the actual film challenge on Day 1 of the Challenge: 

•               The teams will be given the requirements and a list of genres that each student filmmaking group will pick from at random.

F.  All required elements must appear in the film:

On Day 1, each participating group will  be assigned required elements that must appear in its film:

(a) CHARACTER
(b) THAT CHARACTER'S BACKSTORY (YES, the assigned character must have this backstory)
(c) PROPS
(d) LINE OF DIALOGUE
(e) CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE (which is always OPTIONAL).
(f) CHOICE OF GENRE (chosen from hat)

•               The required Character must be seen ON SCREEN (not just referenced to) and identified by FIRST and LAST NAME at some point in the film.  That character's backstory must be clearly identified. The Prop must be seen ON SCREEN.  

•               The required Line of Dialogue must be used verbatim. It may be spoken, sung and/or written. It may be in any language, though if it is unclear that it is the required Line, there must be a translation or subtitles.

 

•               PLEASE NOTE - the entire film can be shot in a foreign language as long as their are English subtitles with the final film.

•               To qualify as an "Official 7-Day Film," each group's film must be in the genre it selects and must contain all required elements  (the CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE is OPTIONAL) within the official time limit and prior to the credits.

G. All cast and crew must be volunteers.

H. Any type of video or film camera may be used (including phones).

I. Music in the films:

Participating groups are encouraged to work with student musicians to write and record music for the films. It is permissible for a participating group to use pre-recorded music; HOWEVER, the participating group must have the rights to any music used in its film.  As with music, pre-recorded sound effects are allowed, but you must have rights to use them.  Music from a royalty-free music library may be used in the films.  Pre-made Garageband / Apple Loops / Final Cut Pro / iMovie, etc... stock music and sound effects are acceptable.  Music and sound effects you create in Garageband or in similar software are acceptable.

 

MUSIC RANDOMLY DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. 

Music violations WILL result in disqualification.  Films using music without clearance may not be eligible to screen in public.

* Please note that all films will be on FIS TV YouTube channel so YouTube WILL AUTOMATICALLY identify any music that is licensed - Please do NOT use music randomly downloaded from the internet *

J.  Each group must submit a MOVIE POSTER as part of the final film-submission process: 

See MOVIE POSTER GUIDELINES below.

K. Film Duration:

The actual finished film must be a minimum of 3 minutes in duration, and a maximum of 5 minutes in duration - not including ending credits, not including opening slate.  See Rule L and O.  Disqualifications may result if the film is not within the specified duration.

L. Credits at the end of each film are limited to a maximum of 15 seconds:

The 15 seconds is NOT considered a part of the finished film, as stated in Rule K. (That is, a film may be 3-5 minutes long; the 15 maximum seconds of ending credits can be beyond 5-minute max film time.).  The scrolling credits can NOT contain anything pertinent to the structure of your narrative. The sole purpose of this 15 seconds is for ending credits. - NO FILM MAY HAVE A RUNNING TIME OF OVER 5 MINUTES AND 20-SECONDS FROM START TO END - SEE "LETTER O" BELOW FOR THE ONLY EXCEPTION.

The end credits must include the words: "This film was made for the 7-Day Film Challenge. #48HOURChallenge"

M. Opening Title Sequence: Required for ALL FILMS

An opening title sequence is required for every film.  It is considered to be part of the film, and therefore, it is part of the five-minute maximum film time.  CLICK HERE for FULL DETAILS.

N. Day 7, 12:00:  The films, information and poster are due:

By 12:00 local time on Day 7 of the Challenge, students must deliver the finished film to Mr Sinclair and submit the film information and poster to the 7-Day Film Challenge committee as per contest rules.  (a) the film is due to the teacher by 12:00 on Day 7 and (b) the information and poster must be submitted online by 12:00 on Day 7.  Budget your time. Films and information not submitted on time may be disqualified.

O.  Each film needs opening SLATES to identify the film:

Your film should have the following 'slates' (and will NOT be part of your 3-5 minute finished time):  CLICK to see sample.

•               1 second of black at the beginning of your video project/timeline (no audio of any kind here)

•               Then, 3 seconds OVER BLACK: A title card with: Team Name (created by each individual team), title of film, and genre. (no audio of any kind here)  

                 SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FILM TITLE - The Line of Dialogue may NOT be the title of the film.

•               Then, 1 second of black (no audio of any kind here)

•               Then, your film

•               Finally, after the ending credits, 1 additional second of black. (no audio of any kind here)

P.  Student clearance to appear in public film:

The Talent will be appearing on screen in a public forum if selected to appear at the theatre.  Each team is responsible for ensuring that student names and faces can be used in public.  See Mr Sinclair for school policy and make sure the model release form has been signed by your actors.

Q. To be an official 7-Day Film:

Each participating group's film/video production must follow all rules herein. The 7-Day Film Challenge organizers reserve the right to screen only "Official 7-Day Films."  

R. Technical Specs of finished films

The file name of your film should be as follows: Team or Production Company name, Film Title, Genre

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     * the 7-Day Film Challenge producers need to identify AT A GLANCE the name of the film and the team.
     * naming the film as listed above ensures that YOUR FILM will be identified as 'officially submitted' to the 7-Day Film Challenge

The file format of your film should be .MP4 or .MOV.
​     A quick compression tip:  Export your film in QuickTime in 720p quality or higher. 

S. Possible Disqualifications:

The 7-Day Film Challenge organizers/judges may, in their sole discretion, DISQUALIFY entries deemed to be inappropriate (including but not limited to the use of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, no wielding knives as weapons, profanity, or sexual conduct not appropriate for school viewing) or otherwise non-compliant as per ANY of the rules of the 7-Day Film Challenge.  DISQUALIFICATIONS may specifically result from inaccurate reading/presentation of the required line of dialogue; inaccurate identification of the required character and backstory; inaccurate identification of the required prop; or inaccurate identification of the genre.

T. All official 7-Day films are eligible to compete for the title of Best 7-Day Film.

U.  Team Registrations

The 7-Day Film Challenge organizers may, in their sole discretion, refuse a team from participation for violation of any rules listed above or for any other reason deemed necessary by the organizers.  This includes, but is not limited to, pre-registrations, current participation, or attendance at any 7-Day Film Challenge screening and awards event.

V. Amending rules:

The 7-Day Film Challenge organizers may add to or amend these rules at any time prior to Day 1 of the Challenge.

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7-Day Breakdown

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On Day 5,  the genre, the character, the backstory, the prop, and the line of dialogue that EVERY FILM MUST INCLUDE will be given to all filmmaking teams. (12:00 Upper School Auditorium)

USE THE SCHEDULING INFORMATION BELOW AS A GUIDE. 

 

DAY 1 - Workshops offered - Pre-Production - Story boarding, developing the idea, screenwriting, etc

 

DAY 2 - Workshops offered - Production - Shot types, lighting for film, camera function, sound production

 

DAY 3 - Workshops offered - Post-Production - editing (final cut, PremierPro, AfterEffects, iMovie) Sound (GarageBand, Ableton)

DAY 4 - Marketing and Promotion - InDesign, Poster Development

Day 5 - Students are assigned the genre, character, backstory, prop, and line of dialogue that must be in their film.  Teachers should place the separate genres "in a hat" and have filmmaking teams draw separate genres. Pre-Production/Scripting begins today.  Use classroom time and work within the normal limits of the school day.  "Normal limits" is defined as class time, study halls, some reasonable after school time, etc...

 

All teams must use their own SD cards for recording - NO SD cards will be loaned out!

(Note:  All FIS cameras you wish to borrow MUST be booked out (by eMail to pete_sinclair@fis.edu - at least 1 day before needed) and may be taken off campus, home at night, or over a weekend.)

Day 5 - 12:00 - 12:30 - Launch of 48-Hour Challenge. Meet in Upper School Auditorium to receive information and allocation of genre.

 

Day 5 - 12:30 - 21:30 (campus Open) - Pre-Production/Scripting. If Pre-Production/Scripting can finish today, shooting can begin tomorrow.

Day 6 - 09:00 - 12:00(campus open) - Scripting should be finished now. Shooting can begin any time today. Remember to include the cinematic technique during the filming process (OPTIONAL)

Day 6 - 09:00 - 17:30 (campus open) - Shooting/Production MUST begin. Use this time to capture all (if possible) your production footage.

Day 6 - 17:30 - as much time as you need (off campus) - Shooting continues. Shooting should be finished today and pre-editing can begin.

Day 6 - Editing may begin any time today. Poster production and printing MUST be completed by 12:00

Day 7 - Editing must be completed today by 12:00. Editing wraps up. Your 3-5 minute finished film (with an additional 15-second maximum ending credits) should be exported as MP4 or .MOV files and handed to Mr Sinclair by 12:00.   NO EXCEPTIONS.

Red Carpet Screening of all films submitted will be June 20th from 18:00 - 20:00. Awards for Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Story Idea or Adaptation, Best Soundtrack, Best Editing, Audience Award and Best Non-Student Film will be presented on this evening.

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Movie Poster Guidelines 

Each film must submit a movie poster of their film.  The possibilities are limitless.  The only rules of the movie poster are (a) it must be A4 proportions in PORTRAIT mode (shown on the right) at a resolution of 600dpi or better  (b) it must be uploaded to the 7-Day Film Challenge organizers on Day 7 and (c) it must be completed during the 48-Hour time period.

Save your file as a JPEG or PDF if possible.  Other formats may not be compatible.  It must be of suitable quality (600dpi or better) so that an A1 poster can be made.

Name the file the TITLE OF YOUR MOVIE.

• For example:  If your movie is called "The Godfather", save your poster as "TheGodfather.jpeg".  Get it?

The LINE OF DIALOGUE can NOT be the title of your film.

It must be submitted BY 12:00PM on Day 7 by the student filmmakers.  

You must upload the file for printing your final movie poster.  You will be uploading the poster as part of the final submission process for your film.  (Note: A film submitted without a Poster will be eligible for any of the awards)

As a last resort, you can email to pete_sinclair@fis.edu  Include in the email the NAME OF THE MOVIE and YOUR NAME.    

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