Proposed Amateur Animation/Film contest

[empartridge]

I would like to hold an anime themed amateur film festival along with awards which will be handed out during an awards ceremony hopefully during Anime Banzai 2014 (An anime convention in Utah).

But first I want to a committee put together to lay out the guide lines. For example, I would like films to focus on original animation, but I am also thinking of stuff like documentaries and other stuff that may include cinematography or choreography. I want feedback and opinions from others so things can be ironed out and set in stone.

So far, the person in charge of events seems to have given it the orange light but she understandably wants the rules set out before it gets out of the garage, but since I still don’y have a subcommittee, I’ll ask you guys for input.
As I give the present tentative rules, I’ll do it as theoretical FAQ’s

Q: Is this the same thing as an AMV?
A: No. The animation must be original. No footage of preexisting anime may be used

Q: Is this the same thing as a fandub?
A: No. Again: The animation must be original. No footage of preexisting anime may be used. Furthermore, the story must be original.

Q: Is this the same thing as a CMV?
A: No. As much fun as it may be to do a live-action version of an anime, we cannot risk to compromise copyright issues, even if it is not profit. Again, the story must be original.

Q: Is this similar to HISHE?
A: Somewhat, in that the animation is original, but again, the story must be completely original. As much fun as it may be to make a favorite fanfiction or doujinshi come to life, we cannot risk to compromise copyright issues, even if it is not profit. This also applies to parodies.

Q: Can any footage of an existing anime be used?
A: No. Only in documentaries as this may be permissible as commentary.
Furthermore, the goal of the animation contest is for local artists to develop their skills of animation.

Q: How long can it be?
A: As of yet since this is the first year, I would be content of a 5 second cartoon, otherwise a maximum of 2 hours.

Q: What of sex, violence, and nudity?
A: Nothing above PG or that can be shown on network TV. Keep it family friendly.

Q: Who can enter?
A: I would like to limit to people of the inter-mountain west United States. Sorry, nobody from Serbia, France, or the like.

Q: What about teams?
A: Teams are not only welcomed but expected if not encouraged. The names (or maybe pseudonyms) of every member must be given and what task they did because awards will be given not just for best picture (overall) but also best directing, editing, character design, screenplay, (voice) acting, musical score, ect.

Q: What music can be used?
A: Most music within the past 100 years or so (I am not sure) is protected by copyrights and thus may not be used. Much classical or other older music is in “public domain” and thus can be used, however recordings are copyrighted by those who performed it so you may need to use sheet music and have someone to perform it or use a computer program. If you have a friend who is an aspiring musical artist and/or composer this may be a good venue to get them exposure and, yes, they would be eligible for awards themselves.


This is what I have so far. Any other questions, suggestions, or better answers?

[ZephyrStar]

This one is a toughie, because I don't think you're going to find that many entrants. Yes, there are people doing this stuff, but they are also few and far inbetween (at least on the .org here.) Here are my suggestions:

Q: What of sex, violence, and nudity?
A: Nothing above PG or that can be shown on network TV. Keep it family friendly.
(This is going to limit entries somewhat. I know you may not have a choice here.)

Q: Who can enter?
A: I would like to limit to people of the inter-mountain west United States. Sorry, nobody from Serbia, France, or the like.
(Don't limit it. I highly doubt you're going to get enough entries from just the west USA to do anything with. Open it up worldwide. Maybe as a stipulation to entry, if it's not in English, the contestant has to submit English subs with it?)

Q: What music can be used?
A: Most music within the past 100 years or so (I am not sure) is protected by copyrights and thus may not be used. Much classical or other older music is in “public domain” and thus can be used, however recordings are copyrighted by those who performed it so you may need to use sheet music and have someone to perform it or use a computer program. If you have a friend who is an aspiring musical artist and/or composer this may be a good venue to get them exposure and, yes, they would be eligible for awards themselves.
(what about written permission from an established artist?)


And here's the biggie: What is my incentive to enter?
Most people doing original animation spend long, very long hours and blood, sweat, & tears creating their work. Many at an expense also. (I personally have dumped around $10k so far into a movie I'm doing). So what are you going to give me if I were to win? Is there any sort of travel reimbursement the con can give me to fly out for the awards show? Will I get a cash prize? Merch? or just a handshake and a piece of paper?

I understand if you have a limited budget, so you have to do something that will make people want to enter the contest, and you have to make it as accessible to as many people as you can. Is there a cheap but unique trophy you could produce? Something that's really cool looking that people would want on their prize shelf?

Hope this helps.

[empartridge]

Q: What of sex, violence, and nudity?
A: Nothing above PG or that can be shown on network TV. Keep it family friendly.
(This is going to limit entries somewhat. I know you may not have a choice here.)

Besides my own standards, I have to limit the standards to those of the con. I pretty much paralleled them to those of the AMV contest.
Here is the latest official rules:
All video submissions must conform to a uniform standard of decency. Videos that contain excessive violence, explicit sexual behavior, excessive sexual innuendo, or excessively explicit lyrics will be disqualified. We are aiming for a PG-13 rating; decisions regarding the suitability of this material will be made by the judges and contest staff. If the otherwise decent submitted film has questionable language or other content and basically is a soft-R, it may be subject to censor (bleeps and black rectangles) to help avoid disqualification. Anything above a hard-R, particularly blatant hentai or other pornography will not be tolerated and may subject the submitter to being blacklisted.

Q: Who can enter?
A: I would like to limit to people of the inter-mountain west United States.
(Don't limit it. I highly doubt you're going to get enough entries from just the west USA to do anything with. Open it up worldwide. Maybe as a stipulation to entry, if it's not in English, the contestant has to submit English subs with it?)

I’ve reconsidered. I originally wanted to focus on the local community, but since I don’t know of any other cons that have such contests and this might help draw more people to Anime Banzai. And yes, subtitles may be used

(what about written permission from an established artist?)

You are allowed to use music with written permission. Just make sure you include a copy of the written permission as well as contact information of the artist as they may be eligible to be nominated for score, original song, or other music category.

BTW, I plan to talk to a lawyer to iron out details of copyrights as originally I wanted to allow doujinshi fan films if the submitter included written permission, but at latest my superior wants only original work.
I really appreciate your interest and input.

And here's the biggie: What is my incentive to enter?
Most people doing original animation spend long, very long hours and blood, sweat, & tears creating their work. Many at an expense also. (I personally have dumped around $10k so far into a movie I'm doing). So what are you going to give me if I were to win? Is there any sort of travel reimbursement the con can give me to fly out for the awards show? Will I get a cash prize? Merch? or just a handshake and a piece of paper?

I understand if you have a limited budget, so you have to do something that will make people want to enter the contest, and you have to make it as accessible to as many people as you can. Is there a cheap but unique trophy you could produce? Something that's really cool looking that people would want on their prize shelf?

Paying for airfare is out of the question. I know we can’t budget that. Nor is cash as this is generally non-profit, but I will see about giving a discount for registration to the nominees. Trophies (possibly made of crystal or glass or a plaque) will be awarded and mailed out for those who don’t make it

I know that these things take tons and tons of work, that is why I am expecting slim pickings for the first year, but if you are already working on a project, you are welcomed to enter.

[empartridge]

Big question: Should this be general films or just animation?

[ZephyrStar]

Cool, glad I was of assistance.
Unfortunately my film won't be done for a few years yet, but when it is I'll definitely consider.
Honestly, I think you'll get a bigger turnout if you open it up to films as well.

I think the best thing you can do is make it all about the filmmakers, and while you can't budget in things like airfare and whatnot, how about a reception of some kind, but at say, a local restaurant the night before the con, and instead of paying for anything at all, just get a guest list together, and tell the restaurant you'll have x people showing up.
We do this every year for AWA, and have anywhere between 30 and 60 people (wasn't it like 80 this year?), it's basically a meet-and-greet for AMV editors, unofficial, everybody pays for their own dinner/drinks, and the restaurant doesn't charge us any kind of room fee or anything like that, we just let them know way in advance and they're ready for us.

The other thing is, people just want to get their stuff seen. That's a big reason for submitting to a festival, exposure. So if there's some kind of way that you can promote that involves minimal money but maybe can be fulfilled with volunteers, get the word out so those seats are filled when the work is shown.

Have you considered sponsors of any kind? Even local businesses? Maybe a camera shop, or an art framing store, or a print shop, any number of places like those, offer to put their logos and stuff on all your video bumpers, flyers, banners, mention them during the awards ceremony, invite them to the dinner to meet the entrants, all that.

Just some more ideas.