48HFP Official Filmmaking Rules
for the International Shootout 2009
The following rules apply to each participating group/production team:
- Times: The official time period for the 48HFP International Shootout will occur between Friday, December 4, 2009, at 7pm (local time) and Monday, December 7, 2009.
- Each participating group must complete its film/video work in time to mail or ship the film and paperwork with a December 7, 2009, postmark or shipping date on the envelope. The film must be in the possession of the shipping service (e.g., US Postal Service or FedEx) by Monday, December 7, 2009.
- Only works that meet the deadline will be officially part of the competition and eligible for awards.
-
Film and Paperwork must be shipped to:
48 Hour Film Project, Inc.
Attn: Christina Ruppert
5800 Sherier Place, NW
Washington, DC 20016
B. During the official 48 hour period, all creativity will take place, including but not limited to:
- Writing the script
- Rehearsing
- Costume/Set Design
- Shooting
- Editing
- Sound Design
- Rendering
- Outputting to tape or other media
C. The only work to begin prior to the "Official 48 Hour Time Period" is:
- Organizing Crew
- Organizing Cast
- Securing Equipment
- Scouting/Securing Locations
D. All footage must be shot within the 48 hour time period of the project.
- No stock footage or footage shot or created at another time may be used.
- Animation and special effects are permitted, but must be created during the 48 hour time period.
- Still photographs are permitted, provided that the team has the rights to them. The photos do not need to be created during the 48 hour time period.
E. On Friday, December 4, 2009, at 7pm local time, each participating group will receive an email from 48HFP HQ announcing the genre for the team's film. In addition, the email will include the list of required elements that must appear in the team's film. These may include a character, a prop, and a line of dialogue and/or a theme.
To qualify as an "Official 48 Hour Film," each group's film must be in the genre and/or theme it is assigned and must contain all required elements within the official time limit and prior to the credits. The required character and prop must be seen, the required line must be heard or seen. The required line may be in any language, though if it is unclear that it is the required line, it must be subtitled.
F. All cast and crew must be volunteers.
G. The finished film must be a minimum of 3 minutes in duration, and a maximum of 8 minutes in duration—not including credits. See Rule H.
H. Credits at the end of each film are limited to a maximum of 60 seconds. The 60 seconds is considered additional to the length of the film, as stated in Rule G. (That is, an Entry may be 8 minutes long, with an additional 60 seconds of credits, for a total running time of 9 minutes.)
I. Sound recorders are allowed. Pre-recorded sound effects are allowed, but Entrant must have rights of use.
J. Any type of video or film camera may be used for the Entry. However, a maximum of only two cameras may be used for the Entry.
L. The finished film/video must be Standard Definition (NTSC in the US; PAL or NTSC outside the US) and submitted on one of the following acceptable formats:
-
a data DVD with a self-contained, SD, Quicktime file with no proprietary codecs
(You must read this page before giving us a Quicktime file!) -
a USB flash drive with a self-contained, SD, Quicktime file with no proprietary codecs
(You must read this page before giving us a Quicktime file!) - miniDV
- DVD
We recommend that each team submit two copies of the final film. If we cannot view your film on our equipment, it will be disqualified.
M. Before the finished film begins, the media should have:
-
5 seconds of bars and tone
(you may use your own bars and tone or download bars and tone here)
- 5 seconds of black
-
A title card with:
team name, date, city, title, and genre -
This segment of animation (preferred)
(other formats available here)
or
A title card with:
"This film made for the 48 Hour Film Project International Shootout December 2009. www.48.tv" - 2 seconds of black
- Your film
N. The producer/team leader for each group must submit a complete and signed paper copy of the 48HFP International Shootout Team Leader's Agreement by email or fax prior to his/her team receiving a genre for their team's film. (This form can be found on the 48 Hour Film Project website.)
O. Each team must secure releases for talent and crew (i.e., the Waiver and Release Form), music, materials and locations, which must be turned in to the project organizers with the finished film/video.
P. The producer/team leader must submit a Certification Statement with his/her completed film, certifying adherence to all rules.
Q. Each team must secure and submit the following paperwork:
1. Waiver and Release Form for each person appearing in the film
2. Music and Material Releases for any music and special material in the film
3. Location Releases for each location appearing in the film
4. Team Roster
5. Wrap Up Form
The film/video will not be eligible for any awards until the 48 Hour Film Project organizers receive the signed releases.
R. Content of the movie/film/video is at the discretion of the participating groups but must meet the requirements of a Motion Picture Association of America rating of PG-13 or lower. Our experience is that films with a mature rating for violence, sex and/or language, are not as marketable.
S. Music: Participating groups are encouraged to work with local composers and/or musicians to write and record music for the films. We realize that this may be difficult to achieve. Therefore, it is permissible for a participating group to use pre-recorded music; HOWEVER the participating group must have the rights to any music used in its film and must submit a signed release.
T. The film may be in any language. If the film is in a language other than English, the Team Leader must: 1) submit an on-time film in any language; and 2) provide a version with English subtitles by January 11, 2010.
U. Films must include the following credits: "This film made for the 48 Hour Film Project International Shootout December 2009."
V. To be certified as an "Official 48 Hour Film,” each participating group's film/video production must follow all rules herein.
W. All certified "Official 48 Hour Films” created for the Shootout are eligible to win the grand prize—a screening at the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner. A panel of independent judges will determine the winner.
X. All films received will be assessed for potential distribution; therefore, it is imperative that all rights and all paperwork are secured and complete.
Y. The 48 Hour Film Project Organizers may add to or amend these rules at any time prior to the beginning of the 48 Hour time period.
