Wow my contest entry has been delayed lol. The movie we are shooting in the Blue Ridge Mountains has us coming back July 1st..., although I could film it tommorow night lol.

I MUST'NT let Chris down. He is running this great contest, as a favor to all of us, so need to pump this entry in

You and me both! I'm all ready, but it's like 90° here and I don't want to end up killing my actor so I'm delaying until tomorrow.

Ok... I managed to film all my footage, and I've even edited it together. But I am at a complete loss with the music aspect. I know noone how can play any sort of instrument, and I do not have the money to buy unlicensed music... But surely if I can't put any music in my film, it will seem rather bland won't it?

Hey, check out the classified section of the forums! This site seems to be crawling with composers who want to work for free, or donate music!

Oop another real quick question then. Will is matter if I use subtitles in my film. Because I was going with dubbing everything. But it sounded a bit weird when they are supposed to be thinking.

Subtitles are fine. What's wrong with Voice Over for thinking? Films do that all the time.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

Yeah, subtitles would actually seem pretty odd in my opinion, for thinking. Try putting a slight echo on the voice over. Or I guess you could have cartoon speech bubbles

Well it's just that the voice over sounded better in my head :P And I had a lot of trouble explaining to my actor how I wanted it to sound, so only a few of them actually turned out how I wanted them. Cartoon speech bubbles probably wouldn't look right in the film

With the idea of my film, it also seemed better that there is almost complete silence, bar the non-diegetic music.
There is some actually speaking but its in different context. I dunno... I'll have to weigh them against each other, see which turns out best.

I was kidding about the speech bubbles

If you think subtitles to express thoughts would be better for your film, by all means, go for it! It's unique, and kind of stylish and maybe it will be the next thing everyone copies. As the director, you know what's best for you film. Go with your gut feeling.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. And also, very many thanks for pointing me to the classifieds board. I found two very good composers.

Awesome. I was wondering if anyone has had success getting composers on these boards.

We always point people to that section but it's glad to hear that it has been successful for many people.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

I've found two composers on the classifieds boards. One composed my first short, and the other composed my second short and my contest submission .

Oh man is it tough getting this film done in time! One delay after another, but I'm half done and will be shooting the rest bright and early tomorrow morning.... providing it IS bright. I've been held up by bad weather for a couple days now. Keeping my fingers crossed! That July 1st postmark date is looming ever closer.

Hurry up!

I finished mine on monday and mailed it off today .

Well, I posted mine off this morning. Hopefully it'll reach you soon Chris. I don't have any idea how long it takes from the Uk to the US.

Also. I didn't send a check. I'd rather send you the money through paypal. Should I send you it when you receieve my film?

You can send it now or when I receive the film - whichever is better for you.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

Well me and nearertonever shot ours on vacation yesterday, and it looks like a night of editing/scoring it, and it'll be off by tomorrow!

Gah, Filming our latest short in the Blue Ridge mountains was a wash, but got back 2-days early with a junkload of in-car footage so editing 5 Mins out, for my short entry.

Yep, Heliotrop, same here lots of editing and scoring tonight lol.

I mailed my entry today. It's about a road.

I made it!! There were a few technical glitches near the end that really scared me, but I got it all done and mailed and POSTMARKED TODAY. I sent it with the automatic post machine at 11:46pm Here's a tracking number.

This contest is going to rock!