In Honor of the Mississippi Bicentennial WINGS Performing Arts of the Lynn Meadow Discovery Center presents The Hero Film Festival 2016/ 2017 STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL HANDBOOK This official bicentennial project was made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the Mississippi Development Authority. The Hero Film Festival is designed to showcase and celebrate the creative works of students using video technology to construct short films paying tribute to the rich history and legacy of Mississippi in Honor of the Bi-Centennial. This student inspired and driven project will challenge young people to ask where we have come from, where we are and where we plan go through short films that may focus on historical, modern and ordinary heroes. The study of heroes inspires us to emulate heroic traits and ask ourselves what we can do to make a difference in our community, state and world? These films can be the endeavor of a group or an individual. In fact, all of the projects must be an original, student-created, film. Our goal is to provide an authentic venue where students have the opportunity to use today s media and technology to facilitate high-order thinking skills and problem solving techniques, to engage in complex, collaborative tasks. The students will have a way to celebrate their accomplishments through our community festival. It is our hope that the students will connect the things they learn in this process to the important life-long skills they will need in their futures. This Year s Competition Theme, Celebration of Mississippi Heroes is open all 3-12th grade students. Films can be live action, animated, narrated, or performed by those in the film. We know that every child wants a chance to envision, create, and tell a story. Awards will be based on the amount and types of film we receive, but likely categories might include: Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Original Story, Best Animation/Best Special Effects. We may also create categories for grade levels if needed. The Film Requirements The film should be no longer than 7 minutes including credits. The film needs to reflect this year s theme, Celebration of Mississippi Heroes. All of the film s content should be original work, including any music and any logos or artwork. See the resources page at the end of this document for tips and ideas on how to find or create original work or use media from the public domain. The film should be completely created by students but can be assisted by adults. Films may be uploaded to YouTube or burned to a DVD and labeled as described on our DVD submission page. Every student team member will need to have a Student Video Release form completed and submitted. The deadline for film submissions is March 1, 2017. Rules for Hero Film Entry The content of the movie must comply with a G rating and be suitable for all audiences. The content must also be suitable for viewing as deemed appropriate at the sole discretion of our Film Festival Reviewing Committee. The Film Festival Reviewing Committee reserves the right to disqualify a movie based on their sole discretion. No violence or stunt work, or anything dangerous should be attempted for these films. The content of the film must be original or public domain. Do not film students or kids without signed releases. 1
The film must not be longer than 7 minutes, including credits. The film, submission form, and the student release documents, must all be complete, appropriately formatted, and submitted on time to be qualified for entry. Once submitted, the contestants/participants grant Lynn Meadows Discovery Center the right to publish the movie in part or in whole in any medium. Judging Rubric Scoring each film will be based on the criteria below and judged by a committee of educators / film experts. The highest points awarded for each category will result in the selection of the winners for that category. To what extent is the theme clearly presented? To what extent are creative and complex special effects used to enhance the film? To what extent is creative and complex animation used to create the movie? To what extent is creative and complex cinematography used to create the movie? How well developed is the screenplay? How well developed is the original story? To what extent is information and facts being interestingly portrayed in the film? The Best Film will be the highest score from all categories. Calendar of Events 2016-2017 Fall/ Winter 2016, Information out to Schools Feb. 1 Please let us know if you plan to submit. March 1, 2017, Films due by 5 PM either by link to You Tube or on DVD March 31 st and April 1 st, 2017 Selected films show at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Bi-centennial celebration April 8, 2 PM, Film Festival: Films selected for the Festival will be introduced by their directors. Awards will be given at the conclusion of the screening. April 27, Winning film (s) shown at the Dreams event at the Beau Rivage. Dreams is a Multimedia Musical Event featuring young talent from across the coast. Student Video Release Form I hereby give my permission, as the parent/legal guardian of the participating student named below, to Lynn Meadows Discovery Center for the use and reproduction of the video footage, photographs, or voice recordings of this participating student. 2
I understand that the use of the participant s image and voice will be primarily for the purposes of education and/or promotion by LMDC. I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished video product that may be used in connection herein. The signature below indicates my permission for LMDC to use video footage recorded for (video name) student video, on (date), and in which (student name) s image or voice is recorded. By signing this video release form, each Student and Student s Parent/Legal Guardian hereby assigns, transfers, or otherwise conveys, all rights, titles, and interest in and to the video created for submission to the 2016 My Hero Student Film Festival to LMDC, including without limitation all copyrights and other intellectual property rights therein. This video footage may be used for the following purposes: presentation in public theater(s) for the LMDC Film Festival and/or Awards Ceremony Educational presentations Informational presentations at conferences or trade shows Promotional video for LMDC sponsored programs that may be included in a television or Internet broadcast Video on the LMDC website for the demonstration of instructional practices There is no time-limit on the validity of this release nor is there any geographic specification of where these materials may be distributed. Student and Student s Parent/Legal Guardian represents and warrants that the video created for submission to the 2016 LMDC competition is original and does not infringe upon the copyright, trademark, patent or other intellectual property rights of any third party. If the video created for submission to 2016/2017 My Hero Film Festival becomes the subject of a claim, suit, or allegation of copyright, trademark, or patent infringement, LMDC shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to reject or otherwise disqualify the submission. Students, and Student s Parent/Legal Guardian agree to indemnify and hold harmless the LMDC, its officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, actions, costs, judgments, or damages of any type relating to the production or distribution of the video submitted to the 2016 My Hero Student Film Festival and Awards. I have retained a copy of this release form. Date: Student Name: Student Signature: Parent/Guardian: Parent/Guardian Signature: Ways to Submit your Film You may upload your film to YouTube and provide us a link. DVD Instructions Burn the Film to a DVD. Create a Play Menu for the DVD. It doesn t have to be fancy. Label the DVD with a Sharpie Marker with the title, film category, school name, length of film (min:sec) See picture below. Put the DVD in a case, preferably a soft case. Ensure the film, including credits, is no longer than seven minutes. Submit the DVD, Submission must include Student Video Release Form for each and every student team member. Resources 3
Ways to Submit Your Film - Upload Videos to Your You Tube Account. If you don't know how to do this here is a great link about that. http://lifehacker.com/5804501/how-to-upload-videos-to-youtube-for-beginners You can then send us the link. Put your video on DVD and send to WINGS/LMDC, 246 Dolan Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39507 Please don't use any music under copyright. Original music is best. You can google for free music or public domain music and sound effects http://websearch.about.com/od/musicsearc1/ss/public-domain-music-seven-free-online- Resources.htm#showall http://myhero.com/films/mediaarts_show.asp?cat=production The following is a great guide to creating a film. http://myhero.com/teachersroom/pdf/afi_basicshandbook.pdf ADVICE Intofilm.org Actioncutprint.com Afl.com FILM EDITORS Wevideo.com Loopster.com Filmora.wondershare.com ANIMATION STOPMOTION Bloopanimation.com Qstopmotion.org Firealpaca (software, free) Stopmotioncentral.com Painttoolsia (software, free) listoffreesoftware.com and search stop motion STORYBOARD Studiobinder.com You can print a storyboard template at Printablepaper.net 4
Mississippi Heroes Film Festival for Youth FILM SUBMISSION FORM Primary Contact: Grade: School: Email Address: Phone: Address: Is this a group project? Yes No If yes, please submit the above information for all students involved in a separate page. Film Information Title: Year: Run Time (7-minutes maximum): Category: Documentary Animation Original Story Screenwriter: Producer: Director: How to Submit Films Final deadline is Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Entry forms and YouTube links should be sent to: Wingsgulfcoast@gmail.com Entry forms and DVD s may also be sent to: Lynn Meadows Discovery Center 246 Dolan Ave Gulfport, MS 39507 Notes It is our intention to screen all films submitted. However, we reserve the right to not screen any film due to 5
time restrictions ( films must be no more than 7 minutes in length ) or questionable content. All genres of films will be accepted to the competition. There will not be separate categories for awards. 1. All entries must be submitted via DVD or YouTube link. 2. Each film must be accompanied by an entry form. 3. Each individual or team can submit no more than 1 entry. 4. All entries must have been made in the 2016-17 year. 5. Films that contain copy write material will be disqualified. 6. Please direct questions to Noelle Cooper at noellehcooper08@gmail.com Film Festival for Youth MEDIA RELEASE FORM Mississippi Heroes I,, do hereby grant permission to Lynn Meadows Discovery Center and the Mississippi Heroes Film Festival for Youth the right to screen my film and use my name, picture, photograph, portrait, visual likeness, or voice in all forms and media in all manners, including photo, film, audio and video representations, for use in Mississippi Heroes Film Festival for Youth publications including videos, emails, newsletters, the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center website and other forms of print and electronic media. I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product that may be created in connection therewith and reuse said products for non-profit purposes. I have read this release, and am fully familiar with its contents. Film Title: Is this a group project? Yes No Name of Student Date School or Organization Signature of Parent/Guardian or Student (if 18 or older) 6
*If the film submitted is a group project, a Media Release Form must be submitted by each member of the group. 7