There is a probability that some might fail if the submission is made late, even if it is by a few seconds. Here are some tips to help you reach the finish line on time.
Plan Deadlines
It is nearly impossible to plan the 48 hour weekend like clockwork. Still, having a few deadlines such as; finish writing the script by Friday midnight, shooting everything by Saturday 3pm and producing a rough cut by Sunday afternoon, will give the team a goal to try and make it on time. Even if you don’t make it as planned, at least you have a better idea for next year!
Coordination
If you are using tapes to record your film, rather than filling up the entire tape to the brim, use lots of tapes. When you are done with a scene on a location, it can be sent straight to the editor to be digitized. Life will also be much easier, if you find music or write suitable music the second you finish the script. This applies too to sound effects.
When shooting a scene, take great care to record the dialogue well, so that you might not need to record a lot of additional sound effects.
A Backup Copy Output
Have a backup copy of a final rough cut 4-5 hours before submission.
Why?
This will allow you to confirm that your output process is working. Otherwise, you may be spending the last few hours fixing output problems and you may not make it on time to the finish line.
You will have less stress while trying to finalize and perfect your film, because you know at worst, you have a backup copy ready to be submitted. Someone can wait at the finish line ahead of time with a backup copy and if for some reason, the ideal film is delayed, you can still hand in the backup copy on time.
If you choose to send in your ideal film and be delayed, we will still accept your film and screen it, but it will no longer be eligible for the competition.
