2/10/2012 Submission Deadline - Arts / Entertainment

Pendragwn Youth Filmfest http://www.pendragwnyouthfilmfest.org/

FAQs
Here are some of the main reasons why you should consider making and entering a film:
Tell a story you’ve always wanted to tell

Do you know someone with an interesting story? Do you, yourself, have an
interesting story? Why don’t you tell the world about this story through\
film? Whether it’s a funny memory or an idea, put it in a film and bring your
story to life.

Find a story that needs to be told
Everyone has a story to tell; filmmaking is only an excuse to find those
stories and tell them to the world in order to entertain, educate, and inspire
people.

Invest yourself
Filmmaking is something that everyone admires because it takes a lot of
time and effort to create a good film. Impress your friends, family, and
neighbors with your art.

Lose yourself in your art while making a difference in your community
Filmmaking is an art that requires the filmmaker to express themselves in
their own, individual way in order to bring their story to life. Each filmmaker
has a different style, perspective, and motivation for telling a story. Not only
can you express yourself through film, but you can point your camera at
problems your community is facing, educate people about issues and inspire
change.

Have fun!
Filmmaking is (and always should be) fun! It’s your chance to show us what
you’re thinking! Use filmmaking as an excuse for you and your friends to get
together and have a great time!

Many of these FAQs are answered in the Rules and Regulations. Please read the Rules & Regulations carefully.

1. Who is eligible?
Any 11-18 year old student.

2. Why should I enter?
Not only can you express yourself through film, but you can point your camera at problems your community is facing.

3. How much does it cost?
There is no cost to enter the Pendragwn Youth Film Festival.

4. What types of films can I submit?
You may submit any of the following types of films:

Documentary A film that documents some aspect of reality.

Narrative A film that tells a fictional story. It can be live action (real people) or animated.

Music Video A film that accompanies a piece of music or song.

Super-short Tell the world what it needs to know in 30 seconds.

Create a public service announcement that uses your creativity to communicate a message and create a call to action.

Films must be at least 3 minutes and cannot exceed 5 minutes in length.

Super-short films must be 30 seconds: no more, no less.

There is no limit on the number of films you may submit, however, you must
include an entry form and DVD (see question 7) for each film you submit.

Films must be between 3 minutes and 5 minutes in length.

You must make sure you obtain copyright permission to include anything in your film. If you do not have permission for the materials you use in your film, your film will not be eligible for awards!

5. What does “original work” and copyright mean?

“Original work” means anything you create using the resources available
to you. If you choose to use dialogue, music, or visuals from a copyrighted
source, you must make sure you obtain copyright permission to include it
in your film.

Copyright is a form of protection given to the authors of a particular work.
The work can be cinematic, musical, dramatic, or literary. If you use anything
that is not your original work, please make sure you obtain the necessary permissions to use the source!

For more information on copyright, please visit: www.copyrightkids.org

Obtaining Copyright Permission
There is a specific way in which you must obtain permission for copyrighted
material. For more information and examples on how you can obtain
permission, please visit:
www.copyrightkids.org/permissioninformation.htm or
www.copyright.com/viewPage.do?pageCode=gp1
Please keep in mind that obtaining permission for copyrighted material is
not a fast and easy process--it takes time and is not always cheap! If you are
planning on obtaining permission, do so as soon as possible! If you do not
have permission for the materials you use in your film, your film will not be eligible for awards!

When in doubt, use your own material! Remember: we want to see your work, not someone else’s.

There are always exceptions. Some of the information and sources you borrow may be usable under the fair use doctrine. The fair use doctrine
states that, in some cases, you have the right to quote copyrighted material
without asking permission or paying for it.

To find out more about fair use and if your film qualifies for fair use, please visit:
www.centerforsocialmedia.org/fair-use or

www.ncwiseowl.org/zones/copyright/students.html
License Free Materials
There are license free (not copyrighted) materials on websites available for
download that are just a click away. You can search on Google, Bing, etc. to
find stock footage or music that you do not have to purchase or obtain
permission in order to use. Simply type in keywords such as “license free music”
to find such pages. You can also check out recording artist Moby’s free music
for independent and non-profit filmmakers at www.mobygratis.com

6. What happens if I cannot obtain permission to use copyrighted material?
If you cannot obtain permission to use a specific source, you legally are not allowed to use it. Copyright law is complicated; the best practice is to always create your own material and only use copyrighted material as a last resort.

7. How do I submit a film? There are two ways to submit your film

Mail it to us
If you choose to submit by regular mail, please place your film and application
in a padded envelope and mail it to:

Pendragwn Youth Film Festival
c/o Pendragwn Productions
736 7th Street, SE
Washington DC 20003

Submit it Online
If you choose to submit your film Online, please follow the directions we
provide for you on our website:
www.pendragwnyouthfilmfestival.org

What to Submit?
You must submit all of the following:
An entry form for each film
Either a DVD, mini-DV, or link (i.e. youtube, vimeo, mobileme) to your film

If you submit a DVD, please make sure your DVD will play in a DVD player!
If your film is selected as a finalist, we will require you to submit your film
on a DVD at that time.

All entries must be labeled with the production name (title of the film) and
the producer’s name and contact information.
The Pendragwn Youth Film Festival will retain all mailed materials so do not
send original tapes, DVDs, etc.

All submissions must be postmarked by February 10th, 2012.

Do not send original tapes, DVDs, etc.

8. How do I make a film?
There are many ways to make a film, but there are specific materials that
you will need to make a well-produced film. Specifically, a camera, editing
software, lights, microphones, and a tripod are the basics for creating an
award-worthy film. You do not need a high-end, professional quality
camera to tell a great story. Whether you use a Sony PD170 or a little
flip-cam, you will need to make sure that your lighting and sound is solid
and your story is engaging.

For every shot, there must be a motivation. Think about why you would use
a tripod to steady a shot versus a handheld method (unsteady and anxious)
to create a feeling of intensity.

Lighting is a very important part of filmmaking. There are many different
ways to light a film and your lighting choice will help to set the mood of
your film. More light suggests a positive mood while darker contrasts
(such as lighting in a Horror film or a Film Noir) create a dramatic, even
suspenseful, feeling to the shot. Choose your lighting wisely and do not
have too much or too little of it. When your characters’ faces are washed
out from light, it becomes a distraction and demonstrates poor production
values. The same is true about not having enough light.

Sound design is crucial to the filmmaking process. If you can’t hear
the dialogue, you’re missing part of the story. It is always better to use
a microphone to record sound! Make sure background noises (i.e. cars,
talking, etc.) are not too loud and use headphones while recording so that
you can hear the audio levels. A great way to record a documentary sit-down
interview or public service announcement/commercial is to use a clip-on
lavaliere (small microphone that clips on to a shirt) attached at the top of
the individual’s chest or a boom mic placed overhead. You can also use
a directional boom mic to record on-the-fly documentary interviews/action
and narrative dialogue. In the end, there are many ways to record sound,
just make sure that your sound is clean and clear.

If you plan on creating a narrative film, a script will be critical to your movie.
Choose a story that has excellent character development and interesting
content. To aid with the script-writing process, there is a free program called
Celtx that can be found at www.celtx.com.

After all is said and done, the real story-telling is in the editing. There are
many different editing programs on the market. Some of the most popular
programs are Final Cut Pro, Avid, and iMovie. When editing, think about:

Why should I make a cut here and not there? Will this transition take away
from the overall feel of the film? How can I arrange the shots to tell my story
in the most effective way?

For every shot, there must be a motivation.

It is always better to use a microphone to record sound!

9. What is the judging criteria?
The judges will be grading based off of the rubric provided to you. The best
films will score the highest points in each category of the rubric. It is strongly
suggested that you read over the rubric before sitting down to create a film.

The judges will grade each film and provide each applicant with a graded
rubric that includes comments about how to make the film better.
We want this to be a learning experience that enhances and develops your skills as a filmmaker.

It is strongly suggested that you read over the rubric before
sitting down to create a film.

10. Can there be violence, nudity or swearing in my film?

Use your best judgement, but it should not define the film. In other words,
your film should not be solely comprised of curse words and nudity. As a
general rule, think about if you would want your parents, grandparents, or
even your principal to watch this film. Decide accordingly.

11. When will finalists be notified?
Finalists in all categories will be notified by March 9, 2012. Winners will be
announced at the festival ceremony on March 24, 2012.

12. Where will the film festival be held?
The festival will be held at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, DC.

13. Why should I attend the festival?
If going to a place to see a bunch of great films is not enough of an incentive,
how about any of these reasons:

Meet your peers and discuss your film with other talented young filmmakers

There will be a High School/College Fair in the lobby.

Entertainment

Part of the Learning experience

All filmmakers learn from screening their film in front of a large audience.

There is nothing like seeing your film on the big screen with an audience
to react to it. You will learn that the audience will laugh and cry at parts
you never expected.

The real question is, why not?

14. If my film wins, how do I claim my prize?
The Pendragwn Film Foundation will distribute all prizes to festival winners. Any attempt to contact prize sponsor will result in disqualification.

15. I have other questions... If you still have further questions, feel free to call or email us at 202.546.0065 or filmfest@pendragwn.org.