Open exclusively to students (individual or small teams) enrolled in a two- or four-year accredited university-level undergraduate or graduate program.
Vista Project Timeline
Initial Entry Submission Period: July 13, 2016 – September 30, 2016
Finalists (5) Announced: October 26, 2016
SMPTE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (Hollywood, CA)
10-Minute Short Submission Deadline: January 12, 2017
Winner/Runner-Up Announced: February 15, 2017
Winner/Runner-Up CinemaCon Screenings: Week of March 28, 2017
Winner – Pre-Show Short Screenings in Theaters: TBD
Selection Process:
The Vista Project Executive Selection Committee (comprised of cinema/entertainment industry leaders), chaired by Founder, Bud Mayo, will review applications and recommend recipients.
Selection Criteria Summary:
• Clarity and articulation of essay as it relates to Project description, reflecting the Mission and Overview of the Competition.
• 10-minute short will be judged on 4 categories (see below) – maximum of 50 points
• NOTE: No person shall be given/awarded more than one award/grant in a given year.
Key Objectives for Applicants Selected as (5) Finalists:
• Produce a 10-minute short that can be used as a template for a lengthier video that should be interactive.
• Suggested content guidelines include the following:
o Create a 2nd screen interactive experience for cinemagoers (targeted to middle-school through college age audience). Audience members will log onto a LAN (local area network at theater to be ‘connected’ to the on-screen experience).
o Take an immersive alternative approach to the development of roles of protagonists, content of dialogues, and outcome direction. In other words, the participants will take the opportunity to create and determine unique outcomes for characters, etc., in the movie short.
Total Funds Designated to inaugurate The Vista Project: $50,000.
Total Distribution of monies: $5,000 for five (5) students (Finalists) in year one.
Winning entry (chosen from Final 5) also receives $5,000 and Runner-up is awarded $2,500.
Monies may be used for equipment purchase and/or rental as well as travel. Students will be required to keep a detailed accounting of how monies are expended. Monthly expense reports will be submitted to the SMPTE Director of Philanthropy and reviewed by The Vista Project Executive Committee.
Submission Guidelines:
• All initial submissions (due 9.30.16) must be a one-page essay (maximum 400 words) explaining their proposed project as it relates to the creation of alternative content for the ‘big screen’ (movie theater). It is suggested/recommended that the essay/project also include use of a ‘second screen’ (mobile/laptop device) as a component of the interactive/immersive experience.
• Travel to SMPTE’s late October Event for the Official (5) Finalists will not be provided by SMPTE. However, SMPTE may provide/help arrange travel scholarships.
Vista Project Official Rules
OPEN ONLY TO FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS ENROLLED AT AN ACCREDITED 2 OR 4-YEAR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY – IN THE US OR THE EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF STUDY IN ANOTHER COUNTRY.
NOTE: small teams of entrants (up to four per team) are welcome to participate.
By entering The Vista Project (“Competition”), entrants accept and agree to be bound by these Official Rules. Any violation of these rules may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the judges regarding this Competition are final and binding in all respects. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) is referred to in these rules as the “Sponsor.”
1. COMPETITION PERIOD. (see above). Online entries must be received by/before Midnight ET at the end of the Competition Period.
2. ELIGIBILITY. The initial entry must: (a) be a maximum of 400 words – refer above to suggestions for subject matter (b) include the filmmaker’s name and potential collaborators – maximum of 4, (c) be within 10-minute time length, including opening and/or closing credits, (d) only use authorized rights cleared content, including, without limitation, music, images, film clips, and other intellectual property. Please see our resources tab for more information. (e) only contain images or likenesses of any individuals who have provided their express authorization or whose parents or guardians have provided express authorization if such individuals are under the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence, (f) be appropriate for viewing by the general public (appropriateness will be determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion), (g) non-English films must have English subtitles at the time submitted, (h) the filmmaker must be, and/or must have been enrolled in an accredited college or university (undergraduate or graduate program), in the US or the equivalent level of study in other country while he/she made the submitted movie, (i) be originally authored or the entrant must have written permission to use copyright protected material and (j) have not been submitted to the Competition previously. All text, images, videos, and other content and materials submitted by entrants, including without limitation, the items described in subsections (a) – (j) above, shall be referred to hereafter as the “Submission.”
Entrant represents and warrants that Submission is the original work of entrant, it has not been copied from others, and it does not violate the rights of any other person or entity. Entrant further represents and warrants that the Submission adheres to the fundamental spirit of the Competition and does not contain any defamatory, obscene, or any unlawful matter.
If selected as finalists, entrants shall be required to complete a release confirming the consent, release, and grant of rights set forth in Section 6. The Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entry at its sole discretion.
3. HOW TO ENTER. In order to enter this Competition, entrants must upload their content using
https://filmfreeway.com/festival/TheVistaProject
Entrants must read and agree to all rules and regulations, submit the required information including a link to the video.
4. FINALIST SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION. There will be two rounds of judging. A panel of judges consisting of industry executives will conduct the preliminary and final review and select films that will be presented at the Competition.
Judges will review and score the Submissions according to the following criteria (NOTE: point totals are for internal use by Judging Committee and will not be publicly disclosed):
Each entry receives maximum total of 50 points
Satisfies overall mission/key objectives of Vista Project - big screen storytelling with second screen interactivity/immersive content that entertains and best utilizes available cinema production technology (up to 20 points)
Specific evaluation of storytelling capabilities (up to 10 points)
Specific evaluation of technology capabilities - including use of second screen (up to 10 points)
Comprehensive, realistic budget (maximum $5000) prepared with specific line items (up to 10 points)
Nominees will be notified via email. If any such entrant: (i) cannot be contacted; (ii) does not respond within five (5) days from the date the Sponsor first tries to notify her/him; (iii) fails to return all releases and other requested documents, such entrants will be eliminated from the Competition. Sponsor, in its sole discretion, will select finalists for exhibition at the Competition.
5. PRIZE DESCRIPTION. Winners will receive an award and/or certificate celebrating their achievement and the films may be featured in commercial movie theaters, on the SMPTE website, YouTube/Vimeo channels, and other social media pages.
Finalists will be invited to attend the aforementioned SMPTE October Event. As disclosed above, SMPTE will NOT pay for travel, accommodations, or any other expenses. There may be possible travel subsidies provided by SMPTE Sections or Student Chapters, however it is at the sole discretion of the individual Section or Chapter. The home offices of SMPTE will not be responsible.
6. OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE. Ownership in any Submission shall remain the property of the entrant. Entrants hereby grant, on behalf of themselves and each of the Film’s Owners, each of the following rights to the Sponsor without reservations, conditions or qualifications: (a) the right to use footage, stills and/or titles, and information from or relating to the Film for promotional purposes; and (b) the right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the Film and to use all associated names, likenesses and biographical information.
7. PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. This Competition is administered by Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), 3 Barker Avenue - Floor 5, White Plains, NY 10601.
