Will you join the VideoHelp.com short film competition?

[Baldrick]

http://shortfilm.videohelp.com

The competition theme "baldrick" may be a bit tricky.....should we remove it?

[gadgetguy]

Please do not change the rules in the middle of the game. When the competition was announced I had never heard the word Baldrick other than as our beloved admin. I spent a lot of time and effort researching who or what the hell a baldrick is to come up with my script. My wife and I have spent hours working on props and costumes to make this production, which will only be a couple minutes long. I would feel cheated if I went through all that trouble only to have the rules change so that I could use some footage that I already had. A competition is supposed to be a challenge or it's not worth having. I suspect that you will get alot of entries close to the deadline because it takes a while to prepare a video from scratch. If you are concerned about a low response (which you seem to be) maybe you should open a non-binding "Pre-entry registration" so you can get an idea of how many people are planning to enter, but don't yet have the video complete.

Edit: Also, your poll may get misleading results because the title asks one question, and then Baldrick asks a question in his first post which calls for the opposite answer. I know I answered the poll wrong because I was responding to Balricks question. To set the record straight, I do plan on entering.

[canadateck]

I also answered the poll wrong.

I Second what gadgetguy Said....

[vhelp]

Forgive me if I sound dumb here ...

Perhaps clarifying what "the Baldrick" is, might help

I had a few thoughts on this, and was concirned with the title
of the approach for the film. I think that it could get a
little confusing too, because there really is no example(s) of
how or what the video should entail (I think) based on what I
have read so far.

But, I have an idea. Could someone throw up some examples of what
the video could be made of ?? like, from what angle of script
or what to talk/video about, etc. ??

I'm not sure I am wording it right, so please forgive me if I
sound kind of foolish. Anyways.

I mean, some users could throw up some suggestions on what *kinds*
of video to make, theme-wise. ..could be Cartoon; Comic book; or
regular; video. Heck, it could be pupets. So long as its a video
of it, and "the Baldrick" 's name in their somewhere's.

I'm not sure if I'm wording it right. But, I think that part of
the confusion could be on account of what I just mentioend above.

I was thinking that some suggestions about shooting the video could
be brought up. For instance..

** have you looked at the adds on TV and seen how they present a
particular product ??

(but I'm not sure I understand [and other too, may feel the same
way about this] what exactly does the video have to entail)


-- ***** -- ***** -- ***** -- ***** -- ***** -- ***** -- ***** --


Why not some of you go with this angle, and make your video about
vcdhelp and how you came to know what its all about, and how it has
helped you in your experience, etc. and present or use "the Baldrick"
somehow in it. Thus.., right down some notes about your experience
with vcdhelp and then see if you can conjur up a video about it.
For example of *angles* to use, have a look at hot TV commercials
are doing it, (put together) and try and *model* certain aspects
of those scenes from the whichever TV commercial you choose.

And so, my first suggestion in what to make, video'wise, would be to:

** Make a video from your experience with vcdhelp, w/ Baldrick mentioned
** in there somewhere's
.
** Lets start with the latest McDonald commercial. Notice how they
sell their *whatever* meals, and in the process represent the latest
Star Wars DVD. Or, are they reprsenting themselves, hehe.. get it.

Here's a basic receipe to motivate your video drive ...

1 - Sit back, turn on the TV, and write down some TV commericals
that come on. There are tons of them airing every 15 seconds or so.

2 - Then, record them to your favorite VCR (can be a JVC, who cares)

3 - Then, write down those you feel might make an easy video of, and then
narrow it down to a few videos (tv commemrcials) to shoot.

4 - Then, choose your theme from your final choice.

Now, I'm no expert, but you could story-board your choice commercial (do a
google search for 'storyboard' to see how its done) and with a little
time, you could probably see how easy it is.. and who knows, you might
even want to extend it longer, on account of how many ideas keep flooding
your imagination, haha)

MODS: Feel free to revise/reword/extend/etc this post, in the interest of
"the Baldrick" competition :P

From the Video Workstation of,
-vhelp 3642

[daamon]

http://shortfilm.videohelp.com

The competition theme "baldrick" may be a bit tricky.....should we remove it?

A competition has rules and should run its course according to those rules - this is in respect (as perfectly highlighted by gadgetguy) to those who have already started work in line with those rules.

Removing the theme mid-competition is akin to widening the goal posts for new entrants, and (potentially) either negating the original entrant's work or, at least, reducing the value of it.

If a competition proves unattractive due to it's rules (remember the "codecs" discussion?) or it's designated subject matter ("baldrick", in this case) then this is an opportunity for competition organisers to learn, and refine the next competition.

A suggestion: Continue this competition as is. If there's not many entries then that's the way it turns out. Award the prizes and bite the bullet (i.e. accept it). But...

After the competition has finished, gain feedback from forum members on how the competition could be improved. Take this on board, refine the rules and theme, then run the next competition as a pilot - a pilot with no prize money, just for pride.

Once the format is settled, then you're more likely to get more entries - with the number of entries boosted by the offer of prize money for a well formatted competition.

Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day - The VideoHelp competition is a great idea and won't be perfect first time. Stick with it, get feedback, learn, refine and evolve. I wish you luck Baldrick and Mods.

[gll99]

I am not submitting a clip but it's interesting what a little research and some imagination can produce

Split the word (not Bald Rick) but B aldrick
now search aldrick

Masculione Possibly derived from the Germanic elements ald "old" and ric "ruler, power

http://www.behindthename.com/php/view.php?name=aldrick

the B can be what you want.... Baron?
Fitting isn't it

(And If you think he's not old just ask a teen) :P

I say live with your initial rules and change them for contest #2 if you want.

[dipstick]

Baldrick is fine and just fuels creativity.

I agree that we should go with the current rules except allow more codecs to be used, like wmv and mpeg. I know divix/xvid is popular around here, but many people like myself refuse to install them.

[BJ_M]

as stated before -- submit in (almost) any codec and i will convert them for you ...

[Nitemare]

Will not be entering. I have no codec or theme issues... just time issues. There was plenty of time allotted for the competition but I just don't have any spare time.

If I had the time I'd have entered but my crappy little capture card and my ancient VHS camcorder wouldn't have made a wonderful entry anyway. I'm pretty sure that the DV to divx/xvid conversion wasn't a rule, but de-interlacing VHS to make it progressive for divx conversion would only make a passable entry. For that kind of a quality hit to be forgiven the clip would have be extraordinarily creative ... which takes time... (see above)

I have no PAYPAL account and have no interest in getting one. I wouldn't enter something like this for the prize, but for the fun. Still ... what if I won something and the prize couldn't be delivered? How much would THAT suck? (not trying to insult the awards/prizes... they are very generous)

[vitualis]

Perhaps it wasn't clear and that's a failing on my part but the reason for "Baldrick" being the theme word is because that's the handle used by our beloved admin...

AFAIK, "Baldrick" doesn't mean anything in particularly (actually, see below).

There are no limitations to the "content" of your entry (apart from the rules like "no porn") and the theme word "Baldrick" was meant to just give everything a tie-in. For example, you could have a character called "Baldrick". Or "Baldrick" may be some sort of code word. Or it may even be as obscure as some graffiti on a wall.

As stated elsewhere, although how you use "Baldrick" in your short film is not specifically judged, we are hoping that some people will made a particularly clever use of it.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Baldrick&db=*

Baldrick

n : a wide (ornamented) belt worn over the right shoulder to support a sword or bugle by the left hip

Regards.

[daamon]

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Baldrick&db=*

Baldrick

n : a wide (ornamented) belt worn over the right shoulder to support a sword or bugle by the left hip

I discovered the same. I think my main challenge was coming up with a story - creativity isn't my strong point. And finding a cast who, like myself, have the time would've been a close second...

[Josef Kneht]

http://shortfilm.videohelp.com

The competition theme "baldrick" may be a bit tricky.....should we remove it?

Please don't stop the competition, I'm sure we all are looking for sesults.
By the way when the first films will be available?

[offline]

Just to clarify, Baldrick is a character in the UK comedy series Blackadder

[ZAPPER]

I agree that the theme may be tricky, and I agree that changing the rules after the start of the competition doesn't quite seem fair. Perhaps adding a lower catagory or short-short film division could draw participants. I suspect that there may be some stagefright out amoung even our most vocal members. Perhaps some authorized trailers to help break the ice so to speak. Maybe a mod or administrator could give us a little hint of what is possible??? We won't laugh(Much)

[zoobie]

I agree...You can't change horses in the middle of the stream. Changing anything now will only lead to confusion. I didn't know what a Baldrick was either....just thought it was a bad rash.

[GKar]

Just to clarify, Baldrick is a character in the UK comedy series Blackadder

Baldrick, Son of Robin the Dung Gatherer - Series 1

The mediaeval Baldrick was probably the only Baldrick of the four who could really be described as clever. Baldrick, an ex-dung shoveller (a respected position, which he had worked very hard to get - earlier jobs include milking pigs and mucking out lepers), first met Prince Edmund at the feast before the Battle of Bosworth Field. The two, along with Lord Percy, toasted their new friendship, unaware that from that point onwards, their descendants' lives would be eternally entwined.

Although cleverer than the Prince, Baldrick holds him in some sort of awe. He often leads cheers in the Prince's honour (along with Lord Percy, who tries hard to join in), fills his head with illusions of grandeur, and often ends up doing his dirty work. This included carrying the decapitated body of Richard III and sleeping with the Spanish Infanta, Edmund's fiancée, so that Edmund didn't have to. The latter task resulted in several injuries, including a seriously blackened eye. When Baldrick is abandoned by Edmund in the final episode, a tear falls from his eye.

It was this Baldrick who suggested the title 'The Black Adder' for Prince Edmund, which his descendants later adopted as a surname.

(I need to find this series on DVD, it has got to be good)

[zoobie]

the result of the brown acid?

sorry...but I'll be here all week

[dvdguy4]

I think Baldrick should pick the top 3 films and let us "The Members" choose the winner of the 3. Just a thought but I like the idea.

[Baddox]

I don't like the idea of Baldrick choosing top 3 and members choosing winner. I would hope there is a fairly diverse set of unbiased judges. It would be nice to know the demographic of the judges if that's possible, since there's two very different types of films that can be made. There are the blockbusters, which the majority of people prefer and which make the most money, then there's the films that don't make as much money, but are classics, and are generally thought of as much better films by critics. Example, Spiderman, grossing US$400 million versus Goodfellas, which only grossed 40 million. I would be a little ticked if someone made a very good film which took months, only to get beat out by someone who videotaped a bunch of bikini-clad girls and sport cars.

[hech54]

I've been peeking in on this competition here and there. I have no intentions of entering but I do have a question:

Are the videos that have been sent in already available for viewing anywhere?

[dvdguy4]

I've been peeking in on this competition here and there. I have no intentions of entering but I do have a question:

Are the videos that have been sent in already available for viewing anywhere?

It would be nice to view them

[gll99]

It would be nice to view them

Agreed!!!
But not before the competition is closed so as not to give an edge to later entries

[daamon]

The competition theme "baldrick" may be a bit tricky.....should we remove it?

Although only 3% of those who voted are entering, this represents 17 entries - I'd say that's enough for a reasonable competition, there's enough to have a good battle over the various prizes. Take heart Baldrick, as I've said above - the competition rules and themes will evolve and improve, and the popularity will increase over its lifetime.

"Might oaks grow from but a tiny acorn".