HERE WE GO!!! This is going to be one exciting challenge, and I encourage each one of you to set your eyes on the prize and commit to finishing. The DV Challenge is just that—a challenge to use the next 17 days to produce and submit a 3-minute film using the theme:

MYSTERY

Remember, it’s the theme, not a genre. The possibilities are nearly endless, so there are no excuses for not coming up with something! If you need help, here’s a broad genre chart: Movie Genres Chart (http://www.createyourscreenplay.com/genrechart.htm)

After reviewing the DVC rules: The DV Challenge: * Official Rules (http://thedvchallenge.blogspot.com/search/label/*%20Official%20Rules), under the Guidelines I’m making a change. Because the web site isn’t around anymore, rather than opening your film with “The DVChallenge.com presents,” please simplify that to “The DV Challenge presents.”

Also, in your credits you are very welcome to include DVinfo(dot)Net so that your prize-winning film attracts more people to this great site and board created by our head wrangler, Chris Hurd. We’ll allow you the extra seconds that would add to your film, because we are so grateful to Chris for giving the DVC a home!

If you have been living under a rock lately and don’t know the prize, we are proud to say once again that our awesome sponsor, Guy Cochran of DVeStore (http://www.dvestore.com) has offered to the winner a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera!! http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/dv-challenge-our-semi-regular-contest/518823-dvc-23-prize-guy-craaazy.html

Any questions? Ask them right here. Okay. You’ve got your theme and the BPCC dangled in front of you, so in the words of our beloved DV Challenge creator, Dylan Couper, “Go, Go, GO!!!”

Thanks and credit to Stephanie at DVestore.com for the great graphic!

Oh yeah...the sign up remains OPEN!!

OK, "mystery".... Got it! And we're off (for an evening of drinking to ruminate for the scipt)....

Funny, from the first announcement, I thought the theme was "ready".

Total rethink!

Ha! Tim, you don't how how tempted I was to go with that. Wouldn't have fooled you for a second! :)

For those of you who have never tried to pack a complete story into 3 minutes, here's a great example. Yes, it's an ad, but could easily be a short film:

?????? ??? " ?????? ???????????????????????? " TrueMove H : Giving - YouTube

If I remember correctly, a 3-minute film equates to about a 1 1/2 page script. So if you are writing and are on page 5 already...might want to rethink your story or figure out a way to tighten it up!

I am definitely going to have to tighten up my script. I have been writing most of today, I am 5 pages in, but probably just over half done the story.

I love the three-minute limitation, but am finding this one challenging, because I am trying to slowly unravel the mystery. I'm going to have to make my pace a lot peppier.

Hoping to finish up draft one tonight, then sleep on it, and chop it to pieces tomorrow. :)

OK, "mystery".... Got it! And we're off (for an evening of drinking to ruminate for the scipt)....

Marc is a lightweight. I dedicate a whole weekend of drinking to formulate the concept. Where is your dedication to the art?

For those of you who have never tried to pack a complete story into 3 minutes, here's a great example. Yes, it's an ad, but could easily be a short film:


I count that as three minutes and three seconds. Disqualified! Looks like something Joseph Tran would make...

Nope! It wouldn't be disqualified; extra time for "credits" is allowed! :)

This is so good on so many levels. Love the foresight in shot selections, like when she looks up then it cuts to the doctor looking up, someone brushing past her in the hospital rather than just cutting to her standing alone--little details like that. This is a good one to study.

I love the three-minute limitation, but am finding this one challenging, because I am trying to slowly unravel the mystery. I'm going to have to make my pace a lot peppier.


You're on the right track with the pacing comment, Randy! You'll be amazed at how the 3-minute limitation will hone your writing skills, creativity, and editing.

I am definitely going to have to tighten up my script. I have been writing most of today, I am 5 pages in, but probably just over half done the story.

Glad to hear that I am not alone... We did a table reading last night, and mine clocked in at about 4:30... I'll have to save that for the director's cut, I guess :)

That's a really great example Lorinda. I cannot say that my effort will aspire to such lofty ideals. I have only one line of script, so I guess that will fit within three minutes.

Damn, and I thought 1 page = 1 minute. My script came out at 3.5 pages. I was kinda hoping that, as there is little dialogue, I'd be able to compress the action.

Guess I'm really going to have to storyboard and time the shots....

And Dick... I guess it's how hard you 'ruminate', not how long. 12-year-old sigle-malt rumination seems to work pretty well.

September 30th is harsh! Did this used to be a month in length?

I just found a really good mystery that would be a good subject for a short documentary - but it'll take a while to try and interview all the people involved, along with a few expert opinion interviews. Possibly need to get access to files and photos, as well as shoot a few 'reconstruction' scenes.

Time extension please!!!

Simon, it's only 3 minutes max in lenght, but you outlined an idea that seems a lot err... lenghtier.
---

As for me, I have a few ideas, will try to make something happen - quite surreal, as always.

Simon, it's only 3 minutes max in lenght, but you outlined an idea that seems a lot err... lenghtier.
---

As for me, I have a few ideas, will try to make something happen - quite surreal, as always.

Well, I enjoy crash-cut editing; you'd be surprised how much I can fit in 3 minutes!

September 30th is harsh! Did this used to be a month in length?

I just found a really good mystery that would be a good subject for a short documentary - but it'll take a while to try and interview all the people involved, along with a few expert opinion interviews. Possibly need to get access to files and photos, as well as shoot a few 'reconstruction' scenes.

Time extension please!!!

We put the challenge back in the DV Challenge, baby! :) We went through a phase of spoiling everyone; but it used to be 10 days, so I felt like this was pretty generous. You'll get 'er done!!

Ouch!

Ok, time to get into gear!

Damn, and I thought 1 page = 1 minute. My script came out at 3.5 pages. I was kinda hoping that, as there is little dialogue, I'd be able to compress the action.

Guess I'm really going to have to storyboard and time the shots....

You could very well be right, Marc; I was going from memory. Actually, I was hoping someone would challenge what I said. Let us know, okay?

I've only got my script cut down to 4.5 pages, and am going to push my luck in editing from there. :)

I've know it breaks the convention of 1 page per minute, but I can't justify (to myself) cutting out any more scenarios and still have my mystery unfold nicely.

However, things have come together nicely for casting and locations for my shoot this weekend. I've got two actors leaving town within hours of our scheduled wrap time, and two are from out of town and only here for the weekend! For locations, I have to pay to rent one of them, but those have all been secured in the last day or two as well.

Looking forward to shooting, and looking forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with!

Hi, do we just post our submissions on this thread or is there somewhere specific?

Thanks

Good question, Sean; you made me read through the rules only to find that submission info isn't listed!

Upload your film to either Vimeo or YouTube (or both), making it private for now. Email a link, with the password, to thedvchallenge@gmail.com, providing your name, the title of your film, and the link in the body of the email.

When the submission date is past there will be notification about the films going public and when to post your feedback thread in the Feedback subforum.

Thanks for the quick response Lorinda!