When you submit a production to CINE, you submit a form that tells us everything we need to know about that film. CINE juries use that information when evaluating entries, so what you put on paper should best serve what you present on screen. Here are a few tips to help you avoid the mistakes that may set your production back right out of the gate.
“INTENDED AUDIENCE”
DO NOT OVERSTATE YOUR AUDIENCE. Our juries frequently see “for a general audience,” “for all ages” or “for moviegoers from 9 to 99!” While that’s a remarkable goal, in most cases, the viewing preferences of the 9 year old and the 99 year old won’t be identical. Even a seemingly narrow audience (ie., “for grades K-6″) can in fact be too general; as any elementary school teacher can tell you, a video for a kindergarten classroom is almost never appropriate for sixth graders, and vice versa. Our jurors are always checking carefully to see if a film communicates well to its intended audience. If a production misses the mark with anyone within the stated range (and with a “general audience,” that’s virtually everyone) it will lose points – and, potentially, an award.
If your production is intended for 25 year old steel workers in western Pennsylvania, say so. The better the judges know your audience, the better they can evaluate how effectively your film speaks to them.
“PURPOSE”
DESCRIBE YOUR GOALS FAIRLY AND ACCURATELY. In the “Purpose” portion of the entry form, we ask you to answer the question, “Why was this production made?” Was it made to teach? Entertain? Raise money or awareness? Just as you should be specific about your audience, you should be as specific as possible about why you made the film, and what you hope to accomplish. This is the place to tell the jury whatever it is that you think they absolutely, positively need to know when evaluating your film. The judges will be scoring you on how well your production met its stated goals, so be honest, be thoughtful, and be realistic.
“SUMMARY”
DO NOT USE THE SUMMARY TO EXPLAIN HOW THE FILM WAS MADE. The “Summary” portion of the form should be used to describe the content of the production – ie, “This documentary tells the story of George Washington.” Don’t explain what equipment or technology you used in the production of the film; the “what” is more important than the “how.” If the technology is integral to understanding the context of the film (“this film is viewed in a multi-screen exhibit at the Museum of…”), include it in the “Purpose” – not the “Summary.”
KEEP IT SHORT. Both the “Summary” and “Purpose” should be about one (brief) paragraph in length. Anything longer requires editing, and if you don’t do it, we’ll have to. If you don’t want us messing with your carefully-crafted statements, be concise.
Do you have any other questions about the entry form or process? Let us know!
