Insomniac Film Competition at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · March 15th, 2005, 08:28 PM

Anyone heard of this one?

http://www.insomniacfilmchallenge.com/

Barry Gribble · March 16th, 2005, 09:01 AM

Dylan,

No, I haven't heard of it before. It's funny though, as I was reading through the site I kept thinking that it looked like it was made by a bunch of guys who entered another film challenge and lost, so they got frustrated and decided to make their own. Then on the "Rules and Judging" page they give this:

"One of the most frustrating things when entering a contest can be the mysterious reasons why some films are chosen as finalists and some are not."

And I nodded to myself.

The bad:

They seem a lot less professional than the more established competitions, but cost the same. They promise cash awards to the top finishers, but don't say how much. They say that they are better than the other contests, but don't say how. The have included in their genre list : Biblical, Blaxploitation, Historical Epic, and a few others that sound different and interested, but could prove highly problematic if you drew them. And they talk about submitting to film festivals, but have no record for that and ask for you to submit the money without giving any details of how they will treat the ownership rights of the final product you submit.

The Good:

It's a film context like all the others. It's an excuse to get together with friends and spend a weekend cranking out a film and having a blast doing it - and maybe getting some kudos for doing it well. And.... they will probably work out that other stuff over time... Good for them for giving it a shot.

Let me know if you try it.

Dylan Couper · March 16th, 2005, 12:26 PM

Barry, my thoughts were exactly as yours, just wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something on their site to give them some credibility.

I have no plans on entering, I can find real competitions for the same price with real exposure and prizes.

Heath McKnight · March 24th, 2005, 12:02 AM

They don't say how much it will cost because maybe it depends on how much money they get from applicants...

heath

Dylan Couper · March 24th, 2005, 12:35 AM

It's $125 to enter.

James Patty · May 27th, 2005, 11:51 AM

I agree with you. thats why I am planning on entering the Filmerica Challenge. They are making some really strong commitments and have been great about answering my questions. Suggest you guys taking a look..
http://www.filmerica.com

Dylan Couper · May 27th, 2005, 05:59 PM

Filmerica is also $100. Not sure I like their prize structure, or a few other things about it, but it looks a hell of a lot better than the first one I posted.

James Patty · May 27th, 2005, 09:47 PM

I said the same thing to Luke the owner, and he mentioned that they are working on some sponsors.. He didn't mention who, but ohh well.. I've been burned by other contests in the past, so hopefully this one pans out. If nothing, at least it will be streamed so I can show the fam (assuming its an appropriate film :). The judging report thing looks pretty cool too.

James

Dylan Couper · June 7th, 2005, 09:59 AM

Or....
You could enter our DV Challenge short film competition. It is FREE!

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=13

March 15th, 2005, 08:28 PM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Insomniac Film Competition Anyone heard of this one? http://www.insomniacfilmchallenge.com/ __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 16th, 2005, 09:01 AM	#2
Barry Gribble Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 817	Dylan, No, I haven't heard of it before. It's funny though, as I was reading through the site I kept thinking that it looked like it was made by a bunch of guys who entered another film challenge and lost, so they got frustrated and decided to make their own. Then on the "Rules and Judging" page they give this: "One of the most frustrating things when entering a contest can be the mysterious reasons why some films are chosen as finalists and some are not." And I nodded to myself. The bad: They seem a lot less professional than the more established competitions, but cost the same. They promise cash awards to the top finishers, but don't say how much. They say that they are better than the other contests, but don't say how. The have included in their genre list : Biblical, Blaxploitation, Historical Epic, and a few others that sound different and interested, but could prove highly problematic if you drew them. And they talk about submitting to film festivals, but have no record for that and ask for you to submit the money without giving any details of how they will treat the ownership rights of the final product you submit. The Good: It's a film context like all the others. It's an excuse to get together with friends and spend a weekend cranking out a film and having a blast doing it - and maybe getting some kudos for doing it well. And.... they will probably work out that other stuff over time... Good for them for giving it a shot. Let me know if you try it. __________________ Barry Gribble Integral Arts, IMDB

March 16th, 2005, 12:26 PM	#3
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Barry, my thoughts were exactly as yours, just wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something on their site to give them some credibility. I have no plans on entering, I can find real competitions for the same price with real exposure and prizes. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 24th, 2005, 12:02 AM	#4
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	They don't say how much it will cost because maybe it depends on how much money they get from applicants... heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

March 24th, 2005, 12:35 AM	#5
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	It's $125 to enter. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

May 27th, 2005, 11:51 AM	#6
James Patty New Boot Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 8	Agreed I agree with you. thats why I am planning on entering the Filmerica Challenge. They are making some really strong commitments and have been great about answering my questions. Suggest you guys taking a look.. http://www.filmerica.com

May 27th, 2005, 05:59 PM	#7
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Filmerica is also $100. Not sure I like their prize structure, or a few other things about it, but it looks a hell of a lot better than the first one I posted. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

May 27th, 2005, 09:47 PM	#8
James Patty New Boot Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 8	I said the same thing to Luke the owner, and he mentioned that they are working on some sponsors.. He didn't mention who, but ohh well.. I've been burned by other contests in the past, so hopefully this one pans out. If nothing, at least it will be streamed so I can show the fam (assuming its an appropriate film :). The judging report thing looks pretty cool too. James

June 7th, 2005, 09:59 AM	#9
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Or.... You could enter our DV Challenge short film competition. It is FREE! http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=13 __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com