SO HOW DO I WIN THIS FANTASTIC PRIZE?
Channel 4 are looking for the best and brightest documentary filmmakers to pitch us a documentary idea based around the theme ‘Beautifully Engineered’. Instead of a written pitch, we are asking filmmakers to make a short film of up to 3 minutes. We would like you to be as creative and innovative as possible – We don’t want you to explain your film to camera, rather treat this short film as a taster for your longer proposition. It could be a brilliant character study of your main protagonist, a quick cut compilation of scenes that gives us an idea of the narrative spine of your longer film, or a mood board which suggests the tone of your documentary.
TIPS FOR PITCHING
Remember to consider the following in your film pitch.
- Title – what is your longer film going to be called?
- Characters – don’t try and fill your short film of up to 3 minutes with too many contributors – remember to use this time to wet our appetites and make up want to watch a longer version, so you should try and cut a coherent story.
- Cinematography – what do you want your longer film to look like? Your short film should suggest the mood and tone of the longer film that your pitching – make use of still photos/ animation and special effect to convey the tone of your film.
- Storytelling – Remember that we want to know from your short film what your longer film might be…don’t be afraid to fill in the blanks by using captions…
- Don’t be afraid to be original and break the mould! Grab our attention by giving us an insight into you as a filmmaker – show us why your vision is unique!
HOW DO I ENTER?
Send email us a link to where we can view your film on an external video website (You Tube etc). The panel will select the best films to be uploads onto the Fourdocs website.
Entries need to be with us by 6pm on 28th of November 2008.
To Enter, email a link to your entry to fourdocs@channel4.com and put the phrase ‘beautifully engineered’ in the subject line. Please do add in the information as requested below.
If you're looking for advice on where to upload your entry, read our advice section in About Fourdocs.
We'll review some of the entrants in the FourDocs blog So keep coming back to see how the competition develops.
The competition entrants will be judged by three judges, Kate Vogel, Commissioning of Documentaries at C4, Patrick Uden Executive Editor, FourDocs and Rebecca Frankel, editor of FourDocs. They will be looking for a submission that meets the brief.
We regret we're not able to review every film link we receive.
By sending your film's web address to us, you agree to the Creative Commons license as set out in FourDocs' terms and conditions and also Channel 4's rights as set out in Channel 4's Terms and Conditions and Channel 4’s Privacy Policy
When you email us at fourdocs@channel4.com, please include the following information about yourself and your film.
Name
Email
Phone
Doc's web address (url)
One line synopsis (no more than 20 words)
Longer description (no more than 100 words)
Duration (Films should be under 5 minutes)
Did you make this film? Y / N
Do you have on-camera consent or signed consent forms for all your contributors? Y / N (Please note that we'll need to see proof of this before your doc can go in the FourDocs player or be shown on TV, so we may ask you for this at a later date.)
Do you have music in your film? Y / N
If so, did you write it yourself? Y / N
If you didn't write the music yourself, do you have written proof that the copyright-holder of your music consents to their music being used in your film? Y / N (Please note that we'll need to see proof of this before your doc can go in the FourDocs player or be shown on TV)
Does anyone do anything illegal in your film? Y / N
Do you consent to Volkswagen using your film for promotion purposes? Y/N
For more information on consent and copyright, please refer to the FourDocs Legal Guide.
Please email us with the above information at fourdocs@channel4.com and put the phrase ‘beautifully engineered’ in the subject line.
The competition will close at 6pm on 28th of November 2008, the winning entrant will be informed by 07/01/09. The winning entrant must respond within 1 calendar month to claim their prize and if they do not an alternative winner will be selected.
Only one entry per person.
