If anyone else is taking part, let's exchange thoughts and strategies on here. Also, consider this an open-invite for anyone who wants to join Team Cracker Funk. Depending on the genre selected, there could be a need for researchers, fancy titles, who knows?
We've done it for the past few years, it's definitely fun. Haven't committed to it yet this year though, I have some issues with their rules that I want to see if we can work out first.
Depending on your topic, I have degrees that would technically make me an "Expert" As well as quite a bit of working experience that would count as well.
Depending on your topic, I have degrees that would technically make me an "Expert" As well as quite a bit of working experience that would count as well.
Nice! I hadn't considered the thought of sourcing an interview from outside of my location, but now that you mention it, if the subject-matter fits, you'd be great for an interview. Thanks!
ItDonnedOnMe, I've seen one your entries (the one about the hat shop) -- it's truly great. I'm curious -- what are the rules you're taking issues with?
dlevanchuk, documentaries are definitely an entirely different cup of tea. Only one way to find out how much you enjoy making them, though, right? I think of myself as a narrative filmmaker, but I have roots in doc-making, and I still enjoy it. Should you join, I'd be happy to throw some pointers your way.
Flicker, it's been slow for me a couple times, too. When you get through, though, I recommend checking out the finalists from past years. Some great stuff on there (including from our own ItDonnedOnMe).
ItDonnedOnMe, I've seen one your entries (the one about the hat shop) -- it's truly great. I'm curious -- what are the rules you're taking issues with?
Ownership/rights to the film. In the team leader agreement you basically grant the organizers the right to do what they want with your film, with the stipulation that any money made will be split. The agreement gives you the right to screen in festivals, but any other screenings require written permission. I hadn't re-read the agreement since we first entered 4-5 years ago so I wasn't aware of this clause.
Out of general principle we don't enter contests that require you to transfer the ownership of your film to the organizers - this is why we generally don't compete in things like the Doritos super bowl contests, etc. The wording of the doc challenge agreement is somewhat more vague than those generally are so I want to try and clarify exactly who owns the film.
This issue arose for us because we were a finalist last year and won a couple of awards in the competition. One of the sponsors - the Documentary Channel - selected a few of the winners to air on their channel. We were paid $300 and the film is currently airing once a week on the channel right now. Fine with me - until the doc challenge organizers asked us to take the film off the web for the next 2-3 years because of the agreement with the channel. I wasn't ok with that - I consider the web to be our primary form of distribution and promotion, and I'm simply unwilling to give up the rights to distribute our films online as we see fit, certainly not for $300. Problem was the deal had already been made and we basically had no say in it. The issue was never really resolved - after a few emails back and forth they stopped responding and I just kept the film up online (here if you haven't seen it: http://vimeo.com/20799569) but I'd like to resolve it before we commit to participating again.
I wouldn't discourage anyone else from entering though, this really comes down to our personal feelings about how contests should be run. Overall we've had a great time doing the doc challenge every year, I think we've done four films for it so far and I feel they're some of our best work in general. Our first year we were a finalist and won best directing & best cinematography (http://vimeo.com/5645639). Several of us went to Toronto for the premier at Hot Docs and had a blast - unfortunately we couldn't make it out to the festival last year. I certainly hope we'll get a chance to do it again, we'll see how things turn out.
Last edited by ItDonnedOnMe; 01-31-2012 at 10:50 PM.
Website finally loaded, looks like a great event. I'm digging into editing a feature that we shot back in August 2008 (!) so that will be keeping me busy for the next few months, but good luck and all the best to those who get take on the challenge!
Oooh, I really want to do this. If I can find some friends to do it with then I might sign up
Oxford would be a pretty decent place for this sort of thing...
ItDonnedOnMe, yep, "Four Pauls" is the one I've seen (multiple times, actually). Thanks for sharing your experience with the hassles and what not. Yeah, I agree -- that's ridiculous that they wouldn't want you to be able to show it online.
The link didn't work to your earlier video. I don't believe I've seen that one. Do you have a different link?
Sorry about that, somehow I added an extra character to the url, fixed it now and here's the link again: http://vimeo.com/5645639
I have seen that one! Great work.
So, when's the feature-length doc coming out, and what is it about? Seriously, cuz I know you guys have one in the works, and I look forward to hearing about it.
I think some friends and I (mainly 'I') are going to sign up to this.
In terms of subject matter: do you have something lined up in advance and then just tailor it to me the requirements of the organisers? Or do you start thinking once you know what the buzzwords are?
As well as quite a bit of working experience that would count as well.
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