Pocket Frantic - Full Rules
Notable Changes to the Rules
- Your film crew should only be the people with whom are within your cohort. Meaning members of your household, or workplace.
- Film anything/anywhere in the Peace Region while following the social distancing rules listed for your province of residence here:
- You may use your phone to edit, if you like, but you don’t have to. Editing can be done on your computer if you prefer - we’re not monsters.
- All filming needs to be done with cell phones. You may use cell phone accessories/cell phone camera accessories for filming, and whatever audio equipment you wish to get the clearest sound you can.
- The Challenge Begins on Friday, October 22nd, 2020 at 12:01am.
- The Challenge Ends Monday, November 2nd, 2020 at 11:59pm.
A Sergeant-at-Arms (SAA) will be available through email about any rule needs. 48 hours before the end of the challenge the SAA will also be available to take calls.
Pocket Frantic Film Challenge - FULL RULES
READ THESE RULES BEFORE REGISTERING
1: The Pocket Frantic film challenge will start on October 23 at midnight, and ends on November 2 at midnight.
2: The participating group/team must complete and deliver its film/video work by the closing time.
- Each group will have their own Google Drive folder assigned to them, in which they can upload their film, and other deliverables.
- Deliveries that are past the deadline are disqualified from official judging, audience choice, and other awards. Films delivered past the deadline but before the end of the day on November 3 may still be screened at the discretion of the Sergeant-at-Arms and PRIMAA.
- Deliveries past November 3 will not be eligible for prizes, but may still be screened at the discretion of PRIMAA.
- Films can be redelivered any number of times prior to the end of the official closing time. The last-received delivery from a team prior to the end of the official closing time will be considered its official submission.
- If a film cannot play due to technical difficulties it will not be considered “delivered.” The Sergeant-at-Arms (SAA) will do their best to notify a team of technical difficulties but it is the team’s responsibility to ensure its film plays correctly. Correcting a technical difficulty and redelivering a film before the official closing time is acceptable.
3: All teams must register through PRIMAA’s website and pay the submission fee before the start of the challenge.
4: Each participating group will be assigned required story elements that must appear in its film:
- The required "Line of Dialogue" must be used verbatim. It may be spoken, sung, and/or written.
- The required "Prop" must be seen on-screen and used as a prop (ie. handled by a character), not set dressing.
- The character archetype must be a central or supporting character.
- The assigned “Genre" must be central to the story, but PRIMAA encourages creative interpretation of genre and all story elements.
- Satisfaction of these requirements will be at the sole discretion of the SAA. Rule interpretation before the competition will be at the sole discretion of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
- Contact the Sergeant-at-Arms with any questions.
5: All creative work must take place during the film challenge. Any creative work in advance of the start of the film challenge is prohibited. Creative work includes, but is not limited to:
- Writing the script
- Rehearsing
- Specific Costume/Set Design (although these elements can be collected before hand)
- Shooting
- Editing
- Sound Design & Original Music (although sound effects libraries and stock music can be collected beforehand - see below)
- Rendering
- All creative work must be done in the Peace Region.
- Contact the Sergeant-at-Arms with any questions.
6: The only work that may begin prior to the start of the challenge period is:
- Organizing Crew
- Organizing Cast
- Securing Equipment
- Scouting/Securing Locations
- Inventorying Props and/or other “on hand” items
- Prepping and testing software, media, and/or workflow
- Contact the Sergeant-at-Arms with any questions.
7: All footage must be shot using the built-in camera of cell phones during the film challenge.
- Cell phone accessories that affect the cell phone’s filming capabilities (lens adapters, filters, et cetera) are acceptable
- Teams are encouraged to use additional equipment as needed to achieve high-quality audio recording, including microphones, second-system audio, etc.
- Filming must be done in the Peace Region while following the social distancing rules listed for your province of residence here:
- No stock footage or footage shot or created at another time may be used, except in the following
- Animation and special effects are permitted, but must be created during the challenge period. (Note: Stock footage as part of a special effect in a third party special effects program is permissible. For example: lens flares, muzzle flashes, explosions)
- Still photographs are permitted, provided that the photos have been created during the challenge period.
- Contact the Sergeant-at-Arms with any questions.
8: Participating groups may use pre-recorded music; however the music must:
- Exist in the public domain (both the composition AND the recording), or
- Be music that has been created for and/or licensed by express permission of the copyright holders to use in this film challenge, or
- Be downloaded, purchased and/or obtained from a royalty-free music service for the purpose of this film challenge.
- The proof of license and/or use may be requested. Failure to show proof in a reasonable amount of time may be grounds for disqualification.
- As with music, pre-recorded sound effects are allowed. Sounds also must be licensed to use.
9: The finished film must be between 2-6 minutes in length including credits and the required title card.
- The film MUST have a title card which runs at least 5 seconds with both the Team Name and the assigned "Genre” and “Character”. It may appear at either the beginning or the end of the film.
10: Delivery materials consist of:
- Film (ProRes 422 or H.264 codec). MOV or MP4 files are fine. Please deliver your film in a minimum resolution of HD, if possible. 720p is also okay, but smaller resolutions may display poorly. We will accept 4K submissions, but be sure to allow for extra time to export and upload the larger file sizes of 4K or UHD.
- Poster Frame (JPG, PNG, or TIFF file, high-resolution preferred) - create an
- Text version of your credits (.doc, .txt, or .rtf files are fine)
- 3-5 Behind the Scenes Photos, with any required photo credit named in the file name (JPG, PNG, or TIFF file, high-resolution preferred), or listed in a separate text file in your upload folder
11: Technical specifications:
- Films can be formatted in whichever aspect ratio you prefer. Keep in mind that although your film is shot on a cell phone, there’s no guarantee that it will be watched on a cell phone. ***NOTE: Films will be compiled into a single horizontal orientation 16:9 Youtube upload for voting purposes. If you choose a different aspect ratio or vertical orientation, your film will be presented with letterboxing or pillarboxing as needed.
- The uploaded video’s name should contain the group name and the title of the film
- The Poster Frame (i.e. thumbnail) is to assist the audience during the voting process. Pick a still frame that best represents the submitted film.
12: Films cannot be shown publicly prior to the official screening. Doing so will disqualify the submission. After the screening, each film is the filmmaker's to do with as he or she pleases. PRIMAA retains the right to screen submissions and use other submitted materials in part or in whole in other contexts, for advertising, or at other events.
13: PRIMAA is indemnified from any action regarding a breach of copyright on the part of the participating teams.
14: While PRIMAA does not intend to censor for content or quality, it is at the PRIMAA board’s sole discretion whether a film will or will not be screened as part of the film challenge. Please keep in mind these films are intended for public consumption, including by youth.
15: All SAA Decisions are Final.
16: It is the responsibility of teams to obtain any release forms or permission to film members of the general public, including cast and crew. Permission to film and subsequently screen any footage containing minors under the age of 18 must be obtained in writing from parents or legal guardians.
17: If you are under 18 years of age a parent must sign the release form in your registration package.
18: Entry fees are non-refundable.
For more details see our Film Challenge Frequently Asked Questions.