The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

I want to host the Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest sometime in the future. My Idea is to see what other people can come up with using a video camera, computer, and no copyrights restraints. If you need an example click here to view my video THE TETRA OF EVIL witch I made last year.

The rules would follow:

1. One entry per team, and the submitted material must be a FILM not some random stuff shot with a camcorder and music added to it. They must tell some sort of story. Films that are animations are acceptable.
2. Films may be no longer than 15 minutes long.
3. Robotics must be part of the film in some way. Either a game piece from this year or your robot from last year.
4. Use any programs you have and any music that you want.
Films will be graded on the following:

1. Technique: 10 points
2. Story: 20 points
3. Flow: 10 points
4. Use of 3ds max: 5 points
5. Keeping audience interested: 5 points

I don’t know when the due date will be or where teams will send their final product. (Hopefully to my teams website). I think this will be fun please comment if you think this is a good idea or a bad one.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

This certainly seems like an interesting idea. I suppose from your title TETRA o DOOM you mean it to be funny?

That was sarcasm (except not).

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

I absolutely love this idea! The "Tetra Of Doom" was a fun film to watch, and a cool concept. Having an unoffical FIRST Film Festival could be a great way to get even more people involved with your FIRST teams, and a wonderful way to bring even more creativity into the whole community. Who knows, if we do this right, we might be able to have FIRST pick it up and make it part of the official program (and maybe get Disney, Universal and Warner Brothers to sponsor some of the awards! :) )

"Oh Mr. DeMille! I'm ready for my close up!"

-dave

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Last time I checked, those were required by law...

Anyways, I love the idea, but I have a question. What are we shooting? A seperate story like "the Tetra of Evil" or a story that is our team's story of the trials, tribulations, heartbreaks, mountain dew or assosciated caffinated beverages, and lack of sleep that come with the building of a FIRST robot?

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Ah yes copyrights do apply IF you are getting paid from your production. We are not going to get paid or make money off of this competition. This would be equal to a bunch of friends getting together and making movies then voting on whos is better.

Copyrights dont apply to this because we are not making money.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Why Not solve the issue with maybe an open copy right license, such as Creative Commons, you can even select one that allows people to use it commercially, and even make edits to it. See this form. Or if you could do something else, you could ask for written permission for usage of it with its submission. Or you could have people sign a (digital) waiver with submission.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Sigh, another common misconception brought about by the internet. They DO APPLY, just not to the same extent. For eductational purposes you may use 10% of a song, but with a maximum of 30 seconds. For more information, check out this link.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Hey guys,

Curtis is right, for non-educational purposes you can use up to 10 seconds of copyrighted music. If you have permission to use the music then just get it in writing. As for the contest I'm in. I had suggested the idea before but never went through with it. I'll be sure to keep checking for any updates.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

that was the first time I've seen that video, and I've got to say that was quite enjoyable, and used some classic gags. I encourage the idea of expanding the use students' talents in FIRST, and if this is a way to get more people involved then I'm all for it. This particular competition is still too creative and too much of a time investment for me, however if this also evolves into a "Team Promo Video" contest like mentioned in a thread before, then I'm all in.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Bummer I was misleaded

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

I really like this idea.. it's great to have more fun during the season :)

I can't wait to see what the FIRST community comes up with. it's gonna be great... good luck to all participants

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

1466 is in!

(if we're not too lazy)

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

All right. My team's website wont host it cause its school servers. Is there any team that would host the movies or any other idea that all the vids could get to one place for judging.

(There is Youtube.com that u can upload and teams could put a specific name like First_[team number] [some wierd digit code].)

Any suggestions?

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Team Fusion (#364) is probably in. We've got a dedicated video-team, so this will be a fun way to learn and apply new skills. Even though our server is the school's, we've been lucky enough to be allowed to post videos. Our site actually accounted for a good 50-60% of the school's bandwidth, partially because the school's never had a proper site.

Would the competition be judged by an external group, or majority vote? Perhaps, if there's enough interest, we could even branch out into multiple categories.

I just hope the deadline can be set so that it doesn't conflict with the (already very full) schedule of FIRST.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Well these guys are probably a good place to start.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Team 555 is most definitely in.
Just 2 questions
1) Has a due date been made yet?
2) What can we win? I need to know this just to convince the rest of my team to help out.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

It seems that since this is Unofficial, that the prize would be the glory of knowing that you won.... and having everyone look at your video...

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

I'm in. I'll be making a documentary of 648's season anyways. I'm ordering my camera tomorrow after I get paid. I'll have everything but the robot planning/design since they're already done with that.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Alright that is good enough for me.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

All right everyone! Get your camera ready! Final product will be due One day after the last match in Nationals. I figure this gives people enough time to include footage of their robot in action at their regional. Good luck and keep in touch I will post a detailed description of the rules and where to post the videos. The rules should get posted sometime by next Saturday.

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

One day after last match at The Championship?? Wow... not much time for those who are going to be at The Championship... eh?? Doesn't really hinder me though. Although I do plan on making a full length documentary... 1hour 30minutes-ish. I'll have to see these rules to see what I can do with that. Probably take a short section of it...

Anyways... good luck to all participants and have fun!

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

Its not really a "Film" contest unless you are using film. Filming requires film- I doubt any team will be using a 16mm or 35mm camera.

I would like to enter this contest but I just dont think I will have enough time. Sounds like a great idea though, I cant wait to see the final products!

*being a video production snob*

Re: The Official Unofficial Robotics Film Contest
 

team 177 is in i have made an executive decision for us to be in. the only reason i can do this is i am the only one who does animation and film and such. :ahh:

email me at hillyer1@cox.net if you have more info on hosting ect. :)