I will probably submit a few films in the near future and I was wondering about aspect ratios.

To elaborate: While the majority of films on this site are in standard 3:4 ratio with black bars for aspect ratio purposes, there are a handful of films that actually employ quicktime ratios that coorespond to their ACTUAL ratios, thus eliminating the black bars (and quickening download times). I was wondering what I have to do in order to ensure that my films are presented without the black bars (i.e. : in their proper ratio). I have FCP3 so I can export the files in any codec, (I believe this site uses SORENSON 3?) and I can output them in their correct ratios.

So if Chris or Tizzy (Or one of the filmmakers whose films are demonstrated this way) could let me know how to go about this I would be most appreciative.

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I don't want FOP godammit, I'm a Dapper Dan Man.

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Just let me know and I can eliminate the black bars for your film.

It actually won't speed the download time TOO much...but it will slightly...Sorenson 3 is pretty good at realizing that black is black and doesn't need to update it (hence increasing the file size)

To elaborate it is something I do on my end...not your end.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

thank you.

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I don't want FOP godammit, I'm a Dapper Dan Man.

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Also...when you submit I cannot accept files that already use Sorenson 3.

They need to be full DV streams..or submitted on tape.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

Actually I just did a test.

Removing the black bars and making a QuickTime file that was 16x9 in size only saved about 100k - 200k.

And this was on a 26 minute film. On a short film the difference in file size was hardly noticeable.

Sorenson 3 does a great job with letterboxing apparently. (This is Sorenson 3 Professional...not the normal version)

-Chris
Studentfilms.com