Participants will be divided into teams of three and each team will be assigned a mentor. Teams will then designate specific roles to themselves with the advice of their mentors. Possible roles include shooters, editors, writers and producers. Team members may perform multiple roles. For example, more than one team member can be a shooter or editor.

ALL MEMBERS MUST PARTICIPATE IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS.

Teams

Mentors are seasoned videographers and multimedia producers experienced in multiple aspects of video production and documentation. They will act as technical advisors. It is their role to keep teams on track, set them up for success, resolve disputes, and if needed, to make executive decisions when a group consensus can’t be reached. Under no circumstances should a mentor physically take part in the shooting and editing process.

Students will have constant access to their mentors in case an emergency arises or their teams require any guidance. They have volunteered this time to ensure each team reaches the finish line and completes their projects. They are an integral and essential part of the workshop.

Mentors

The projects produced at the workshop will all be based on a singular theme. This theme can be broadly interpreted, but the overall production must fit within the theme. Participants, speakers, and staff will have access to the “glorious whiteboard” on Thursday and Friday, where anyone can jot down theme ideas.

Submissions should be general, one- to two-word ideas.

The best submissions selected from the whiteboard will be put on paper and placed in a container to be drawn out. After the pre-production session on Friday, right before lunch, a theme will be randomly selected.

The ShootOff Theme

  • Cannot start shooting until after 1600 on Friday

  • Elevator Pitch: Does your idea make sense? Must pitch to two staff members or speakers

  • Ensure the team has at least two story ideas that is a good representation of the theme

  • Gear check: Make sure you understand your equipment & can capture quality video and audio

  • Storyboard: A simple word or illustrated storyboard that visualizes what you need to capture

  • Do not record footage or base your story in the hotel/venue

PRe-production

PROJECTS

There is no single way to tell a story. Teams may decide what tools and techniques to utilize in order to complete their projects. Some of these include interviews, narration, effects and music (fair use, licensed, or public domain). If you use production music we need documentation on its origin and permissions.

  • Be aware of your surroundings & have situational awareness at all times in the DC area

  • Have a plan for transportation throughout the DC area (metro schedule, car rental, cab)

  • Do not shoot monuments and landmarks without the proper permissions

Teams may use whatever equipment they bring or any gear that becomes available throughout the workshop.

The competition officially begins after you pitch your story on Friday and ends sharply on Sunday morning. Editing can be done at the most convenient location for the team. There will be editing stations (tables with power outlets) available in the main room starting on Saturday morning.

Plan accordingly to ensure your team meets the Sunday morning deadline. Factor in the time needed for rendering & encoding. Projects submitted after the deadline has passed will still be viewed and critiqued. They will not however, be eligible for awards.

There are 2 videos contained in a team submission (final video and a 30-sec social media friendly “teaser”)

FORMAT & SUBMISSION

  • Aspect ratio is up to the discretion of the team (but should be content driven).

  • Final product should be 2-5 minutes in length.

  • Quicktime or MP4, Codec: H.264, Frame Rate: same as source

  • Name file your team name and the title of your project (example: “Team Gold Teeth - Levels.mp4”) .

  • Ensure you submit your team entry info on Discord and upload your video files to the Google Drive.

  • Turn in all release forms, music sources and social media tags with your submission.

  • The Google Drive link will be provided on Friday afternoon.

JUDGING & AWARDS

On Sunday morning, a panel of judges will review and critique all projects. After initial feedback from the judges we will break for lunch. The workshop will conclude with a short awards ceremony and an interactive Q&A with the judges.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

  • The HUG-MEDINA Award - Best In Cinematography

  • The CAPRA Award - Best In Editing

  • The MORRELL Award - Best In Show (Sponsored by Adobe)

  • Best in Audio

  • Best Social Media Teaser