Toronto Film Challenge

At precisely 8pm, more than 300 of Toronto’s filmmakers started on their mission for the weekend: To make a film in 48 Hours. They were provided with a challenge pack featuring a line of script, a prop, a location, and a theme all of which have to make appearances in the movie. Other than that, all bets are off.

Filmmakers! If you’re looking for the music we promised… Look Up. There’s a music button on the tool bar!! Enjoy. Also… if you need a copy of the release form for locations, music, extras, etc. You can download it here…TFC 2010 General Release.

The films will be screened Wednesday at the Bloor Cinema at 7pm. Follow @TOFilmChallenge on Twitter, and look for hashtag #tfc48.

It’s almost here!! We have 32 teams signed up and ready to make short films in less than 48 Hours. Assuming that most teams have the full roster of 10 people, that’s more than 300 filmmakers taking part. We’re thrilled to have such a big event.

Kick off is this Friday, November 12. Please gather at Mick E. Fynns around 7:00 to sign in, grab a bite to eat, and socialize. The kickoff will be exactly at 8pm. When we say “go” grab your challenge pack and get to work.

Your challenge pack bag will include: a prop, a line of dialogue, a location, and a theme. All of these have to make some sort of appearance in your film. There will also be an envelope for submission, a dvd for your finished product (data files please .mov or .avi!), and a music cue sheet to record what songs you used, and a sheet for credits, so everything gets logged appropriately. We will provide some music for you as well, available from this site for download.

Reminder: The screenings will take place at Bloor Cinema, on Wednesday, November 17th at 7pm.

Due to a huge influx of teams in the last couple days, we suddenly went from having lots of space to having none at all! Any more and we won’t have time to screen everybody…

So, big apologies for shutting things down a bit early, but we’re full!! 32 teams should make a great event!

As part of the 48-Hour Film Challenge, Grant McCauley is offering the use of some of his compositions for the benefit of your films. We’ll offer 10 musical tracks available for download on the weekend of the challenge. You don’t have to use them, but they’ll be free, and you have the composer’s permission. You can check out some samples of his work here.

Grant has been playing guitar for over 30 years and is a graduate of Recording Arts Canada in Sound and Music Recording.

Grant was assistant engineer to Jeff Wolpert at Kick Audio in Toronto. He’s worked with The Canadian Tenors, David Clayton Thomas, Amy Skye, producer John Alcorn, Judy Marshak, Ken Myhr as well as big band and orchestral recordings for TV and film.

He specializes in music production, music mixing and composing. Grant is currently working on composing music for film and television.

“I am very happy to be a part of the Toronto Film Challenge this year. A great way of networking and watching creativity come to life. Good luck to all involved.”- Grant McCauley

Grant McCauley’s Specialties:

Music Production, Music Mixing, Composing, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Pro Tools LE & HD, Reason, MIDI and Sound Design.

The Toronto Film Challenge would like to thank Grant for his contribution and looks forward to seeing what the competitors do with his music. Teams are reminded that ALL music needs to be used with rights and permissions.

If you plan on taking part in the Toronto Film Challenge’s 48-Hour Competition, here are some things you might want to do…

1. Plan – Who is supposed to do what? What options do you have for characters, locations, effects, stunts, etc? You can’t do much ahead of time, but knowing what options you have will make things easier on you.

2. Test – Make sure your equipment works, and have a backup plan! If you can’t get your film in on time because your DVD burner won’t burn… it’s not my problem.

3. Find Music – All music used in these films has to be used with permission.  Please use royalty free music… or if your friend has a band and says you can use it, that works too. Just make sure you fill out the paperwork.

4. Practice – There is nothing in the rules that says you can’t get your gang together for a planning/practice session. See what you can do in a few hours, and figure out if you can learn from that experience. You may learn something very valuable.

5. Schedule – Every professional shoot has a schedule… you don’t always stick to it, but you should at least have an idea of when things are SUPPOSED to happen…

For more thoughts on how to put a good film together in a short time, listen to this.

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“It’s great to see a group so focused on bringing the filmmakers dream to the screen. Whether it is an aspiring screenwriter, a superb director, or daring actor, the TFC honours them all the same. We need more facilities that help promote this kind of creativity. Bravo TFC, and a warm welcome back to the neighbourhood!” – Jonathan Stainton

DATES & TIMES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• KICKOFF – November 12, 7pm – Mick E. Fynns – 45 Carlton St. (You need to be here to fill out some papers and pick up your challenge pack. We’ll say “GO” at 8pm.
• DROP OFF – November 14, NO LATER THAN 8pm – Again, Mick E. Fynns  45 Carlton St. (near the College Subway)
• SCREENINGS – November 17, 7pm – Bloor Cinema – 506 Bloor St. West – at Bathurst St.
• GALA – November 27, Cocktails at 7, Awards at 8pm – London Tap House 250 Adelaide St. West.

RULES

• No more than ten people per group… INCLUDING ACTORS. All performers count as group members. The only exception is extras/not speaking parts. Extras do not count as group members.
• The film must be written, shot, edited within 48 hours. Pre-existing scripts are not allowed.
• Films have to run between 6 and 8 minutes. 6 minimim. 8 maximum (including credits)
• All elements of the challenge pack must be incorporated to the film. Your challenge pack will include a line of script, a prop, a theme, and a location.
• The first 4 seconds of your video must read list the group name, the contents of your challenge pack, and running time. The last 2 seconds of credits must say “Made for the Fall 2010 48-Hour Toronto Film Challenge”
• Music must be properly licensed/used with permission. Please do not use music to which you don’t have rights. There are a million places you can download cheap/free royalty-free music (istockaudio.com or stockmusic.net).
• Finished products must be handed in on a DATA DVD as a .MOV file. HD files are allowed, and H264 compression is preferred.
• 8pm Sunday is the deadline for entries. Late entries will be screened but not eligible for prizes.

OTHER STUFF

• Group members (ie – your name is on the official group roster at the kickoff) get free admission to the screening and the gala. Extra tickets are $10 for each. Family, friends, dates, guests, etc. are all welcome to both the screenings and the gala.
• The gala is semi-formal, so get a little dressed up.
• Prizes will be awarded for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Writing, Audience Choice, and Online Winner
• We want to be social-media forward so use the hashtag #tfc48 for your Tweets. Follow us @TOFilmChallenge and join our Facebook group!

So… what did I miss?

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“We’re proud to be involved with this year’s Toronto Film Challenge and wish everybody the best of luck!”

So why should you sign up for the 48-hour Toronto Film Challenge on November 12-14, 2010? Here are ten reasons.

1. It’s crazy fun. You work your butt off, but it’s actually a really exciting and enjoyable experience.

2. You get to be creative. Other than some very loose guidelines, your film can be WHATEVER you want.

3. You want to see your film on the Big Screen – All completed films will be screened at the Bloor Cinema in front of HUNDREDS of people (November 17 – 7pm).

4. You like prizes. There are literally THOUSANDS of $$dollars$$ worth of prizes. You could win Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Editing, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Cinematography, or the Audience Choice Award… and all of them come with a pretty wicked prize pack (Official Prizes will be announced soon, but I assure you they’re worth it!! In the thousands… and even tens of thousands of dollars worth!).

5. You want some demo-reel stuff. All of these films make great demo material. This is a recognized film challenge, people know it. It’s kind of a big deal.

6. You want a good credit on the ol’ CV… see #5 about the “big deal” part.

7. You like a challenge. This is not easy, and chances are you’ll really hate something about your finished product… but how good can you make it in 48 hours? That’s the hard part. It IS the Toronto Film Challenge afterall.

8. You have an idea. Trust me… We all know this one. You have a million ideas in your head of things you want to do in films, but never had the right outlet for. Well, this is your outlet. So write that scene, try that shot, play with a new toy or technique. Try something new.

9. You like free food. See #10.

10. You like to party. Just like Jesus in a tuxedo t-shirt. It’s formal, but you’re here to party. We have a gala night where all the prizes and awards are given out. That will happen on November 27, 2010 at the London Tap House and will include FREE FOOD. Details are being sorted… but yes. There’s a party. With beautiful people. And the rest of us.

Click here to register.