Selection and screening

1. All films entered into Jump Cut will be assessed by the Festival's selection committee who will:
    
   1. Determine which films will feature in the Jump Cut screening program;
   2. Judge which films will be entered into Jump Cut and which will receive relevant Awards.
   3. Awards will be presented in the relevant Award categories.
   4. Please refer to the Awards and Judging section of this webite for more information.

   Thematic Guidelines for Selection into Jump Cut:

   1. A diverse and challenging short film demonstrating a strong, creative and original story;
   2. Use of creative freedom to demonstrate imaginative ways of storytelling and narratives;
   3. Story produced in a way that demonstrates an awareness of, and respect for, diversity in gender, race, sexuality and cultures.
       
2. If your film is selected for the Jump Cut you will be sent a letter of confirmation by mid June 2013.
    
3. The organisers may contact the filmmaker if sound levels need adjusting. If possible, please keep your film in your editing computer in order to adjust sound levels.
    
4. Due to high administrative cost films will not be returned to the applicant.
    
5. Please ensure that all personal details are current. It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the Festival office on (03) 9599 4720 with any change of details.
    
6. For further information, please contact the Festival office on (03) 9599 4720 or artevents@bayside.vic.gov.au

Requirements for Festival screening

1. All selected films are to be submitted either on mini-DV tape or as  a full-quality Quicktime file (.avi or .mov) on a data DVD or USB stick. Other formats must be approved by the Bayside Film Festival.
    
2. Declaration: As copies of the film's release forms are not required with your entry however you will need to sign the declaration on the submission form to confirm that all appropriate release forms have been acquired by the filmmaker.
    
3. No cuts or changes will be made to your submission without your prior agreement.
    
4. If submitting on mini-DV tape, please ensure there is 30 seconds black at the beginning and end of film. To avoid time-code breaks on the master-tape, “black” tapes before out-putting films onto the master. To “black” means to  record with the cap on for the entire tape then rewind to the beginning, before out-putting selected student films on the tape.
    
5. Mailing films to the Festival is the responsibility of the applicant.
    
6. Please ensure that all personal details are current. It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the Festival office on 9599 4720 with any change of details.

Helpful tips - A practical scripting note!

The start of your film - How many times have you been to the movies and the beginning of the film is missed?  Sadly, despite all the fab digital technology in the world of cinema, it is a theatrical hazard that stalks every festival. Perhaps the curtains are still opening.  The projector is cranking up slowly. If you are prepared, though, maybe you can cheat the system. Put something disposable at the start, not just that high-impact stunt, vital first line or big set-up! If the audience misses it, they won’t get your film at all. Create a company logo for yourself and run that at the start instead!

Helpful tips for recording Sound Levels

Believe it or not, you are more likely to get away with poor pictures than you are poor audio. Sound quality is paramount in any production. Think about it before you shoot.  Some common faults are having interviewer off mic for asking questions and including it in the film after all. If there is even the remotest chance that the interviewer’s questions will be included in the final cut, use a separate microphone. Here are some settings to assist you:

Sound Recording

Ensure video cameras are set to 16dB (not 12dB) in the set-up menu. Students will run into problems editing if they record at 12dB, some editing software will not accept 12 dB.

Sound Editing

To avoid sound distortion and to ensure that interviews can be heard over music, the following levels are recommended for editing audio.

Music should be set to peak at: 12 dB
Voice/interviews should be set to peak at: 6 dB
Music under Interviews to be set to peak at: 18 dB

For further information contact:

Jump Cut Project Officer
Bayside City Council
PO Box 27
Sandringham  VIC  3191

Page last updated: 02 May 2013