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Fischgaard 48 Hour Filmmaking Competition

Summary of Rules

The Goal: Shoot and edit a short film in two days

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

  1. Times: The Fischgaard Short Film Project will occur between a Friday February 17, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. and the following Sunday February 18, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. The participating group must complete its film/video work in time to deliver it to the Capitol Theater, on Sunday by 4:00 p.m. Films turned in on or before time has expired will be eligible for all awards. Films turned in late but before the screening has started will be eligible for only people’s choice awards. Films turned in after the screening has begun will not be eligible for any awards.
  2. No camera work/filming/animating can be completed prior to the kickoff party on Friday.
  3. Scripts may be written in advance of the kickoff party.
  4. No stock footage or footage shot or created at another time may be used.
  5. Each participating group must have a representative at the official Kickoff Event of the Fischgaard Short Film Project. At the event, each group will Announce the genre of its film. In addition, each group will be assigned required elements that must appear in its film, such as a specific character, prop and/or line of dialogue. To qualify as an "Official Fischgaard Film," each group’s film must be in the genre it selects and must contain all required elements.
  6. All cast and crew must be volunteers.
  7. The finished film must be a minimum of 3 minutes in duration, and a maximum of 7 minutes in duration with all opening slates and closing credits inclusive.
  8. Any type of video or film camera may be used, however, a maximum of only two cameras may be used.

  9. The finished film/video must be submitted on the following format: DVD or Blueray Disc

    We recommend that each team submit two copies of the final film. If we cannot view your film on our equipment, it may be disqualified.

  10. Before the finished film begins, the tape/dvd should have an opening slate including: team name, date, city, title and chosen movies (genre), 5 seconds of black

    This must be included with in the time requirements.

  11. If shot in a 16:9 ratio and/or anamorphic, your film must be letterboxed. The projector will not be switched to stretch the picture.
  12. Each team must secure talent releases and location releases, which must be turned in to the project organizers with the finished film/video. The film/video will not be screened before the Fischgaard Short Film Project organizers receive the signed releases.
  13. The Fischgaard Short Film Project organizers encourage all filmmakers to create films that are appropriate for all audiences. However, the content of the movie/film/video is at the discretion of the participating groups. The organizers reserve the right to not screen any film that can be considered pornographic, or that depicts hard core or graphic sex.
  14. Music: Participating groups are encouraged to work with local composer and/or musicians to write and record music for the films. We realize that this may be difficult to achieve. Therefore, it is permissible for a participating group to use prerecorded music; HOWEVER the participating group must have the rights to any music used in its film.
  15. Credits at the end of each film are limited to a maximum of 60 seconds and are inclusive within the time allotted.
  16. Films must include the following credit: "This film made as part of the Fischgaard Short Film Project 2011."
  17. A panel of independent judges will determine the winners.
  18. The producer/team leader for each group must submit a complete and signed "Participation Agreement" with his/her entry form.
  19. The Fischgaard Short Film Project organizers may (most likely will) add to or amend these rules at any time prior to the beginning of the 46.5 Hour time period.

    20. Required Paperwork

    Download the participants agreement. (pdf)
    Download the talent and location release. (pdf)