Challenge Rules
On DAY 1, the 10 Day assigns the following 6 requirements to ALL SCHOOLS. These must appear in the film.
1. The Assigned Character: FOR EXAMPLE -- Alan (or Alana) Mahler
2. That Character's Backstory: FOR EXAMPLE -- Recently Unemployed
3. The Assigned Prop: FOR EXAMPLE -- A CD or DVD (the actual disk)
4. The Assigned Line of Dialogue: FOR EXAMPLE -- "It's not easy being me."
5. The Assigned Cinematic Technique (OPTIONAL): FOR EXAMPLE -- Montage, Dutch Tilt, Silhouette Lighting, Opening Title Sequence, Long Take, or Hitchcock Effect.
6. Genres to be "chosen from a hat" for each filmmaking team: THESE ARE ONLY EXAMPLES, and MAY NOT BE THE ACTUAL GENRES FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR -- ROMANCE; SUSPENSE; THRILLER; SCI-FI; FANTASY; FOREIGN; SILENT; BUDDY FILM; FISH OUT OF WATER; SUPERHERO; MISTAKEN IDENTITY, UTOPIAN/DYSTOPIAN FICTION; (classic) MONSTER MOVIE; SLICE OF LIFE; SPORTS/GAMES; MOCKUMENTARY; SUPERHERO.
SPECIAL RULE FOR GENRE Any filmmaking team may trade-in the genre they "pick from a hat" on Day 1 and replace it with a special genre. We will announce this special trade-in genre on Day 1.
1. The Assigned Character: FOR EXAMPLE -- Alan (or Alana) Mahler
2. That Character's Backstory: FOR EXAMPLE -- Recently Unemployed
3. The Assigned Prop: FOR EXAMPLE -- A CD or DVD (the actual disk)
4. The Assigned Line of Dialogue: FOR EXAMPLE -- "It's not easy being me."
5. The Assigned Cinematic Technique (OPTIONAL): FOR EXAMPLE -- Montage, Dutch Tilt, Silhouette Lighting, Opening Title Sequence, Long Take, or Hitchcock Effect.
6. Genres to be "chosen from a hat" for each filmmaking team: THESE ARE ONLY EXAMPLES, and MAY NOT BE THE ACTUAL GENRES FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR -- ROMANCE; SUSPENSE; THRILLER; SCI-FI; FANTASY; FOREIGN; SILENT; BUDDY FILM; FISH OUT OF WATER; SUPERHERO; MISTAKEN IDENTITY, UTOPIAN/DYSTOPIAN FICTION; (classic) MONSTER MOVIE; SLICE OF LIFE; SPORTS/GAMES; MOCKUMENTARY; SUPERHERO.
SPECIAL RULE FOR GENRE Any filmmaking team may trade-in the genre they "pick from a hat" on Day 1 and replace it with a special genre. We will announce this special trade-in genre on Day 1.
Overall Challenge Rules
Rules:
The following rules apply to each participating group/production team:
A. Times:
• The 10 Day Film Challenge will occur in high schools during a specified 10-day period (usually in the Spring)
• The participating STUDENTS must complete the film/video work in time to deliver it to the TEACHER on Day 10 BY 4:00PM. The students submit the film's information and movie poster by 4pm on Day 10 to the 10 Day Film Challenge. The TEACHER is responsible for uploading the finished film itself. The teacher must have the film in his or her possession by 4pm on Day 10 and has from 4pm on Day 10 until 11:59pm the next day to upload the film to the 10 Day Film Challenge. Any film NOT submitted to the 10 Day Film Challenge by 11:59pm that following day may be disqualified.
• Only works that meet the deadline will be officially part of the competition. All work must be completed on campus, including writing, editing, and filming. No work is to be completed at home, at night, or over a weekend. This is a school project to be done on the campus of YOUR school within the normal limits of a school day.
* The property on which you shoot must be on your campus and the property of your school district. If that property is not owned and operated by your district, it is not permitted and your film may be disqualified. (*inner city schools may use city sidewalks adjacent to the building even though they may not be official district property as outdoor campus space may be limited)
* Normal limits of a school day is defined as class time, student free time such as study halls or lunch periods, reasonable after school time (same time as a club meeting for example). No nights, weeekends, or off campus production.
B. All creativity must take place during the "Official 10 Day Time Period". Any creativity work in advance of the competition timeline is prohibited. Creative work includes, but is not limited to:
• Writing the script, rehearsing, shooting and editing.
C. The only work to begin prior to the "Official 10 Day Time Period" is:
• Organizing cast and crew, securing locations and equipment. CAST AND CREW RULE: This is a student project created by students in a high school 'filmmaking' class. The STUDENTS must be the principal actors in the film. Adults can be participants, but they should not be the principal actors. Any one appearing in the film, must either attend your high school or be an employee of that high school.
(See also Rule D)
D. All footage must be shot between Day 1 and Day 10 of the Challenge.
• No stock footage or footage shot or created at another time may be used.
• Animation is permitted, but MUST be created during the 10 Day time period. Video effects (such as 'smoke effects' or 'explosion effects') are permitted as long as the school / student has the rights to use them.
• Still photographs are permitted, provided that the team has the rights to them.
E. The classroom teacher must secure the details of the actual film project via email on Day 1 of the Challenge.
• The teacher will be given a list of genres that each student filmmaking group will pick from at random.
F. Each participating group will then be assigned required elements that must appear in its film, such as a genre, cinematic technique, a character, that character's backstory, a prop and/or a line of dialogue. EVERY FILM IN THE ENTIRE STATE (or MULTI-STATE) FILM CHALLENGE WILL HAVE THE EXACT SAME CHARACTER, THAT CHARACTER'S BACKSTORY, PROP, LINE OF DIALOGUE, and CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE (OPTIONAL)
• The required Character must be seen ON SCREEN (not just referenced to) and identified by FIRST and LAST NAME at some point in the film. That character's Backstory must be clearly identified. The Prop must be seen ON SCREEN.
• The required Line of Dialogue must be used verbatim. It may be spoken, sung and/or written. It may be in any language, though if it is unclear that it is the required Line, there must be a translation.
• To qualify as an "Official 10 Day Film," each group's film must be in the genre it selects and must contain all required elements INCLUDING the CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE (OPTIONAL) within the official time limit and prior to the credits.
G. All cast and crew must be volunteers.
H. Any type of video or film camera may be used.
I. Music. Participating groups are encouraged to work with a local composer and/or musicians to write and record music for the films. 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. As with music, pre-recorded sound effects are allowed, but you must have rights to use them. Schools that have a royalty-free music library may use that music in their films. Pre-made Garageband / Apple Loops / Final Cut Pro / iMovie, etc... stock music and sound effects are acceptable. Music and sound effects you create in Garageband or in similar software are acceptable. MUSIC RANDOMLY DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET IS GENERALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE.
* Please note that all films will be on YouTube for judging - YouTube WILL AUTOMATICALLY identify any music that is licensed - Please do NOT use music randomly downloaded from the internet *
J. Each group must submit a MOVIE POSTER as part of the final film-submission process. See MOVIE POSTER GUIDELINES.
K. The finished film must be a minimum of 3 minutes in duration, and a maximum of 4 minutes in duration - not including ending credits. See Rule L and O.
L. Credits at the end of each film are limited to a maximum of 15 seconds. The 15 seconds is NOT considered a part of the finished film, as stated in Rule K. (That is, a film may be 3-4 minutes long; the 15 maximum seconds of ending credits can be beyond 4 minute max film time.). The scrolling credits can NOT contain anything pertinent to the structure of your narrative. The sole purpose of this 15 seconds is for ending credits. - NO FILM MAY HAVE A RUNNING TIME OF OVER 4 MINUTES AND 15 SECONDS FROM START TO END - SEE "LETTER O" BELOW FOR THE ONLY EXCEPTION.
The end credits must include the words: "This film was made for the 10 Day Film Challenge. www.tendayfilm.org"
M. Any type of opening title sequence is considered to be part of the film, and therefore will count towards the four-minute maximum film time. See Rule O below for the exception to opening credits.
N. Prior to the deadline on Day 10 of the Challenge, students must deliver the finished film to the teacher, then submit the film information and poster to the 10 Day Film Challenge committee as per contest rules. Teachers will have through Day 11 to upload films.
O. Your film should have the following 'slates' (and will NOT be part of your 3-4 minute finished time): CLICK to see sample.
• At the beginning of your video project/timeline you need 1 second of black (no audio of any kind here)
• Then, 3 seconds OVER BLACK: A title card with: Team Name (created by each individual team), title of film, and genre.(no audio of any kind here)
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FILM TITLE - The Line of Dialogue may NOT be the title of the film.
• Then, 1 second of black (no audio of any kind here)
• Then, your film
• Finally, after the ending credits, 1 additional second of black. (no audio of any kind here)
P. The Talent will be appearing on screen in a public forum if selected to appear at the theatre. Each school is responsible for ensuring that student names and faces can be used in public. See your individual school administrators for school policy.
Q. To be an "Official 10 Day Film," each participating group's film/video production must follow all rules herein. The 10 Day Film Challenge organizers reserve the right to screen only "Official 10 Day Films."
R. No Entries (media or documents) will be returned.
S. The 10 Day Film Challenge organizers/judges may, in their sole discretion, DISQUALIFY entries deemed to be inappropriate (including but not limited to the use of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, knives as weapons, or profanity) or otherwise non-compliant as per ANY of the rules of the 10 Day Film Challenge. DISQUALIFICATIONS may specifically result from inaccurate reading/presentation of the required line of dialogue; inaccurate identification of the required character and backstory; inaccurate identification of the required prop; or inaccurate identification of the genre.
T. All "Official 10 Day Films" are eligible to compete for the title of Best 10 Day Film!
U. The 10 Day Film Challenge organizers may add to or amend these rules at any time prior to Day 1 of the Challenge.
A. Times:
• The 10 Day Film Challenge will occur in high schools during a specified 10-day period (usually in the Spring)
• The participating STUDENTS must complete the film/video work in time to deliver it to the TEACHER on Day 10 BY 4:00PM. The students submit the film's information and movie poster by 4pm on Day 10 to the 10 Day Film Challenge. The TEACHER is responsible for uploading the finished film itself. The teacher must have the film in his or her possession by 4pm on Day 10 and has from 4pm on Day 10 until 11:59pm the next day to upload the film to the 10 Day Film Challenge. Any film NOT submitted to the 10 Day Film Challenge by 11:59pm that following day may be disqualified.
• Only works that meet the deadline will be officially part of the competition. All work must be completed on campus, including writing, editing, and filming. No work is to be completed at home, at night, or over a weekend. This is a school project to be done on the campus of YOUR school within the normal limits of a school day.
* The property on which you shoot must be on your campus and the property of your school district. If that property is not owned and operated by your district, it is not permitted and your film may be disqualified. (*inner city schools may use city sidewalks adjacent to the building even though they may not be official district property as outdoor campus space may be limited)
* Normal limits of a school day is defined as class time, student free time such as study halls or lunch periods, reasonable after school time (same time as a club meeting for example). No nights, weeekends, or off campus production.
B. All creativity must take place during the "Official 10 Day Time Period". Any creativity work in advance of the competition timeline is prohibited. Creative work includes, but is not limited to:
• Writing the script, rehearsing, shooting and editing.
C. The only work to begin prior to the "Official 10 Day Time Period" is:
• Organizing cast and crew, securing locations and equipment. CAST AND CREW RULE: This is a student project created by students in a high school 'filmmaking' class. The STUDENTS must be the principal actors in the film. Adults can be participants, but they should not be the principal actors. Any one appearing in the film, must either attend your high school or be an employee of that high school.
(See also Rule D)
D. All footage must be shot between Day 1 and Day 10 of the Challenge.
• No stock footage or footage shot or created at another time may be used.
• Animation is permitted, but MUST be created during the 10 Day time period. Video effects (such as 'smoke effects' or 'explosion effects') are permitted as long as the school / student has the rights to use them.
• Still photographs are permitted, provided that the team has the rights to them.
E. The classroom teacher must secure the details of the actual film project via email on Day 1 of the Challenge.
• The teacher will be given a list of genres that each student filmmaking group will pick from at random.
F. Each participating group will then be assigned required elements that must appear in its film, such as a genre, cinematic technique, a character, that character's backstory, a prop and/or a line of dialogue. EVERY FILM IN THE ENTIRE STATE (or MULTI-STATE) FILM CHALLENGE WILL HAVE THE EXACT SAME CHARACTER, THAT CHARACTER'S BACKSTORY, PROP, LINE OF DIALOGUE, and CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE (OPTIONAL)
• The required Character must be seen ON SCREEN (not just referenced to) and identified by FIRST and LAST NAME at some point in the film. That character's Backstory must be clearly identified. The Prop must be seen ON SCREEN.
• The required Line of Dialogue must be used verbatim. It may be spoken, sung and/or written. It may be in any language, though if it is unclear that it is the required Line, there must be a translation.
• To qualify as an "Official 10 Day Film," each group's film must be in the genre it selects and must contain all required elements INCLUDING the CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE (OPTIONAL) within the official time limit and prior to the credits.
G. All cast and crew must be volunteers.
H. Any type of video or film camera may be used.
I. Music. Participating groups are encouraged to work with a local composer and/or musicians to write and record music for the films. 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. As with music, pre-recorded sound effects are allowed, but you must have rights to use them. Schools that have a royalty-free music library may use that music in their films. Pre-made Garageband / Apple Loops / Final Cut Pro / iMovie, etc... stock music and sound effects are acceptable. Music and sound effects you create in Garageband or in similar software are acceptable. MUSIC RANDOMLY DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET IS GENERALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE.
* Please note that all films will be on YouTube for judging - YouTube WILL AUTOMATICALLY identify any music that is licensed - Please do NOT use music randomly downloaded from the internet *
J. Each group must submit a MOVIE POSTER as part of the final film-submission process. See MOVIE POSTER GUIDELINES.
K. The finished film must be a minimum of 3 minutes in duration, and a maximum of 4 minutes in duration - not including ending credits. See Rule L and O.
L. Credits at the end of each film are limited to a maximum of 15 seconds. The 15 seconds is NOT considered a part of the finished film, as stated in Rule K. (That is, a film may be 3-4 minutes long; the 15 maximum seconds of ending credits can be beyond 4 minute max film time.). The scrolling credits can NOT contain anything pertinent to the structure of your narrative. The sole purpose of this 15 seconds is for ending credits. - NO FILM MAY HAVE A RUNNING TIME OF OVER 4 MINUTES AND 15 SECONDS FROM START TO END - SEE "LETTER O" BELOW FOR THE ONLY EXCEPTION.
The end credits must include the words: "This film was made for the 10 Day Film Challenge. www.tendayfilm.org"
M. Any type of opening title sequence is considered to be part of the film, and therefore will count towards the four-minute maximum film time. See Rule O below for the exception to opening credits.
N. Prior to the deadline on Day 10 of the Challenge, students must deliver the finished film to the teacher, then submit the film information and poster to the 10 Day Film Challenge committee as per contest rules. Teachers will have through Day 11 to upload films.
O. Your film should have the following 'slates' (and will NOT be part of your 3-4 minute finished time): CLICK to see sample.
• At the beginning of your video project/timeline you need 1 second of black (no audio of any kind here)
• Then, 3 seconds OVER BLACK: A title card with: Team Name (created by each individual team), title of film, and genre.(no audio of any kind here)
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FILM TITLE - The Line of Dialogue may NOT be the title of the film.
• Then, 1 second of black (no audio of any kind here)
• Then, your film
• Finally, after the ending credits, 1 additional second of black. (no audio of any kind here)
P. The Talent will be appearing on screen in a public forum if selected to appear at the theatre. Each school is responsible for ensuring that student names and faces can be used in public. See your individual school administrators for school policy.
Q. To be an "Official 10 Day Film," each participating group's film/video production must follow all rules herein. The 10 Day Film Challenge organizers reserve the right to screen only "Official 10 Day Films."
R. No Entries (media or documents) will be returned.
S. The 10 Day Film Challenge organizers/judges may, in their sole discretion, DISQUALIFY entries deemed to be inappropriate (including but not limited to the use of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, knives as weapons, or profanity) or otherwise non-compliant as per ANY of the rules of the 10 Day Film Challenge. DISQUALIFICATIONS may specifically result from inaccurate reading/presentation of the required line of dialogue; inaccurate identification of the required character and backstory; inaccurate identification of the required prop; or inaccurate identification of the genre.
T. All "Official 10 Day Films" are eligible to compete for the title of Best 10 Day Film!
U. The 10 Day Film Challenge organizers may add to or amend these rules at any time prior to Day 1 of the Challenge.