BiM 2010: Avant-Garde

[13jacobj]

this comment will be voted highest even though it sucks...

[SunnySnowStudios]

Will you be posting all the videos for updates on BiM contests?

[SmeagolStudios]

@SunnySnowStudios Probably contest starting announcements at least...I try not to spam up my channel with too much of this stuff, just want people to at least know about it.

[BrickAction101]

wait.... how come the Brick Battle video got entered, but mine didn't?

[BrickAction101]

but if i can't enter anymore, than leave the first one i entered...

[BrickAction101]

is it too late to enter???? and can you remove my movie montage one? the one i posted earlier, not the one i just entered.........

[kitbricksto]

yes the first time i saw this i was like yay:D

now that i entered im double yay:D:D

[NiceGuy1130]

good luck to all who are entering!

[ronchan144]

I want to do this but I'm not that good. Is that OK?

[SmeagolStudios]

@ronchan144 Sure, everyone is encouraged to enter.

[SuperNathanTV]

when does the contest end?

[SmeagolStudios]

@SuperNathanTV the date given in the video -- July 26

[GoldenMindStudios]

@SmeagolStudios the video says the 25th, which is it?

[SmeagolStudios]

@GoldenMindStudios The 25th is the deadline; videos can be posted any time up until then. Note that it's the 25th at 8 a.m. UTC which is extremely early in the morning in many time zones, so it'd be best to get it in earlier than that.

[BrickAction101]

okay i get it now. but it was a little confusing, since you posted this video on November 1st... i thought it ended lol

[BrickAction101]

wait, so we cannot post a video response until July 20th?

[SmeagolStudios]

@BrickAction101 Right.

[BrickAction101]

i can't post any video responses :(

[SmeagolStudios]

@BrickAction101 Right, the entry period doesn't begin until July 20th as stated in the video.

[ct45211]

so are we allowed to use royolty free music, such as from the site incompetech, or does it have to be completly our own

[SmeagolStudios]

@ct45211 royalty free music such as incompetech is allowed as long as you abide by whatever crediting rules they have.

[legostarwarsmad123]

im not trying to copy but would somthing like your movie'Unrenewable'be ok i dont mind if you say no because you did come up with it first?

[SmeagolStudios]

@legostarwarsmad123 not exactly sure what you mean, originality is encouraged but I certainly don't lay claim to the entire detective film noir genre.

[denthead1409]

Im hopefully going to enter if i can get some time

[Fredrikomovies]

Can I use music I have done myself using loops in garageband?

[SmeagolStudios]

@Fredrikomovies I believe so, to my knowledge it's all royalty-free

[Fredrikomovies]

@SmeagolStudios Ok. Just one more question. How do I do a download link. And how do I do a website?

[SmeagolStudios]

@Fredrikomovies Sorry, I'm not sure what you're asking. Perhaps the best way for you to submit would be to post your entry as a video response sometime after July 20.

[apauscata]

Could I make a video after a story? Like "The Canterville Ghost" by Oscar Wilde??

Please respond (if you can) I love your animations

[SmeagolStudios]

@apauscata Yes -- "The Canterville Ghost" is old enough that its copyright has expired. It's in the public domain so it is okay. However you may not base a film on copyrighted material.

[ScottishGansta]

The Video says that I must use "LEGO or similar building toys as primaty elements", so hyperthetically; could I also use some sort of self-made paper figure or something that would also animate nicely?

[SmeagolStudios]

@ScottishGansta Sorry, but no, it's gotta focus on LEGO or something similar like MEGA Bloks, Best-Lock, etc.

[ScottishGansta]

@SmeagolStudios O.K. thanks, just wanted to be sure. And another question if I may; What would count as excessive violence? Is death allready excessive?

[SmeagolStudios]

@ScottishGansta Not necessarily; I'm more concerned about stuff like blood and gore.

[ScottishGansta]

@SmeagolStudios O.k., thanks man! I know this competition is going to be awesome!

[juggernuatpictureshw]

Are we allowed to use themes from books?

[SmeagolStudios]

@juggernuatpictureshw You can't base your entry on a copyrighted book, no. You're free to use older books that are in the public domain though.

[juggernuatpictureshw]

We're entering. The project we are going to make is a complete surprise!!!

[wowrules227]

did you use a program to make your song? If you did what did you use?

[SmeagolStudios]

@wowrules227 Mixcraft

[legostarwarsguy11111]

it says that you are not aloud to use stuff like star wars or harry potter, but say if you made a world war 2 film with clones in it or star wars like products, would that be acceptable?

[SmeagolStudios]

yeah, as long as you're not using character names, star wars sound effects, etc.

[darthrugg]

I think I have an Idea on what I'm going to do... :-) heheheh

[Pinballking7237]

Can i get some friends to help me do voices, or does it just have to be me, It will be my movie but have my friends voice acting.

[SmeagolStudios]

@Pinballking7237 having other people do voices is fine. In fact any amount of collaboration on a film is fine as long as everybody gets the proper credit.

[Pinballking7237]

@SmeagolStudios O.K Thanks.

[razorxxlego]

I have an idea I'm most likely going to enter into this contest. Unfortunately, it will require loads of work. But then again, what brickfilm doesn't?

Anyway, I wish to include religious references and E.T incounters. Is that permitted, or prohibited?

[SmeagolStudios]

@razorxxlego that should be fine yeah

[razorxxlego]

@SmeagolStudios

Oh okay, thank you.

[SmeagolStudios]

@BrickfilmAnimation Yes, but there will be a trailer contest, it'll probably be near the end of June, or early in July.  With a small prize for the winner. If you release a trailer before then, you can't use the same trailer for the contest.

[KYROOL9800]

ah so i can't enter my upcoming video cuz a ninja kills 2 people in it

[SmoothCutting]

20,000 View! Hurray! Sorry if you think this is spam, couldn't resist.

[sabertoothedlime]

well, for my movie all i have are most of the elements needed, and the story outline, but I do have an idea for a soundtrack. can i use music composed completely by a friend?

[SmeagolStudios]

@sabertoothedlime That's fine, yeah, as long as you have the friend's permission.

[ProfesorBerziky]

is there any age limit?

[SmeagolStudios]

No; there's a 13-and-up limit to register on the forums though as long as a parent is aware you're entering it shouldn't be an issue.

[RoyalBrickStudios]

When is the trailer contest?

[SmeagolStudios]

I haven't put it together yet but it'll probably be near the end of June, or early in July. With a small prize for the winner.

[isaacmiller1993]

I was wondering could I have my friend play songs on the piano for my film that she didn't make up? or would she have to make them from scratch?

[SmeagolStudios]

Classical music or something old enough to be in the public domain (usually 100+ years old) would be fine, but you wouldn't be able to use your own recordings / arrangements of copyrighted music.

[isaacmiller1993]

Could I use royalty free music? it isn't copyright.

[SmeagolStudios]

Royalty free music is fine as long as you own the rights to it, whether or not they are free or if you had to buy the music first.

[isaacmiller1993]

Ok, Thank you very much!!! :D

[legostarwarsguy11111]

you need to edit the link in the description for the full details

[SmeagolStudios]

Sorry about that, should be fixed now.

[TutMan247]

question

can we use music that is protected by a creative commons license?

[SmeagolStudios]

Yes, if the license allows for it to be used and you credit it correctly, etc.

[indyboy4productions]

Am I allowed to use your music for personal use?

[SmeagolStudios]

Like, music from my videos / films? I'd rather you not, as it's meant to go with my films as an original score. Thanks though. If you're looking for good free music to use, you might try incompetech(dot)com , there's quite a bit of good music there.

[ScypaxPictures]

The music choice in this is brilliant.

[SmeagolStudios]

Thanks...I wrote it specifically for this video, haha.

[CarrollFilms]

yes it is, now why can't you make or choose soething like this...hmm???

[TheTankProduction]

Can I have a guy shoot a robot a few times?

[SmeagolStudios]

Yes.

[rockfootfootfoot]

im just curious, why do you call yourselves Smeagol Studios? =/

[SmeagolStudios]

I came up with it in 5th grade, never got around to coming up with something better...

[bpgower98]

cOOL!

[UniLego]

I better get started!

[NiceGuy1130]

Awesome! I'm entering!

[ProfesorBerziky]

So we can't post our contest entry on Youtube untill July 20( btw July 25 is my birthday)?

[SmeagolStudios]

Correct.

[ReidYoderFilms]

I realize that the more violence there is, it makes the film less enjoyable. But in contrast, is it too violent for a man too be walking down a street in the middle of a rainy night, and pear down an alleyway and see another man attacking a helpless woman? (There will be no blood or death)

[SmeagolStudios]

The content restrictions are really mostly to avoid people being offended by the entries because BiM has quite a few younger members who will be participating in the contest. A little violence for the purpose of the story is alright, just try to avoid blood and gore.

[TutMan247]

sounds like a challange.

few questions though.

Can we use any laguage at all? such as (sh*t, D*mn, *ss. ect?) and how much?

could be use Copyrighted songs as long as we keep with in the boundaries of the 10% rule?

And should it be a certain resolution, frame rate, ect.

[SmeagolStudios]

The second and third words there are prime-time TV suitable, if you use them once or twice the judges probably won't kick up a fuss. No copyrighted music means no copyrighted music, "fair use" type guidelines don't apply here. There are no specific requirements on resolution or frame rate or other technical stuff like that.

[TutMan247]

ahh. so no sh*t then? thats too bad. but thanks anyway

[Ronimations]

Grr. This subject is tough, I'm a new animator anyway, what are the chances?

Something out of the ordinary with LEGO?

[RoyalBrickStudios]

Is using Music from Incompetech(dot)com a breach of the Copyright rules? Or is it legal and we just have to credit him for his work.

[SmeagolStudios]

Incompetech is fine as long as you credit him properly, yes.

[LegoLord1001]

can i have someone chopping off a load of heads or is that too much violence?

[SmeagolStudios]

Might want to avoid that -- especially if there is blood / gore involved.

[LegoLord1001]

ok, i'll think of something different

[LegoLord1001]

can i do a guy shooting them instead without seeing much blood?

[SmeagolStudios]

sure

[slycooperfan240]

So how do you make your studio logo appear at the top of your channel and above your video descriptions?

[SmeagolStudios]

Youtube partners get some extra abilities like this.

[slycooperfan240]

Ah. Cool. So how does partnership work?

[SmeagolStudios]

You have to apply, honestly the standards are pretty high to get in these days...

youtube(dot)com/partners

[slycooperfan240]

Oh. Well thanks for letting me know anyway!

[TNSthetormentor]

Does it count as an original idea that i myself haven't heard/seen anything like the thing what im doing? For example, i have never seen someone using a custom Ezio Auditore minifigure. Does that count as something new?

[SmeagolStudios]

Due to the copyright restrictions you can't base an entry on a video game anyway. But as far as originality goes, we're thinking more in the realm of story and technical elements of the film, an unusual custom minifigure is probably not going to be enough to make something be "outside of the box"

[thesunismoon]

can I put like elves and orcs?

[SmeagolStudios]

conceivably, yes, as long as you're not using specific LotR trademarks.

[494blahblahblah]

can we bleep curse words?

[SmeagolStudios]

uh, sure, as long as they're fully censored and not almost the entire word with a little bit of the middle bleeped out.

[Juwayyid]

Im stumped... Almost everything has been done before... Unless... People vs LEGO? has that been done? Would that be allowed?

[SmeagolStudios]

It's been done several times, though it would be allowed. I'm not really expecting people to do something that's truly never been done in any way, shape or form before, and we're not just looking for films based around a gimmick like that anyway. The idea of the contest is just to get people to try new things and think outside of the box.

[legostarwarsguy11111]

does that mean you have to do something new in the whole of brickfilming history or just new to your own talents?

[SmeagolStudios]

Try to make something unique and unlike what's been done before -- mostly, we just want to encourage people to think outside the box.

[legostarwarsguy11111]

is guns excessive violence?

[SmeagolStudios]

No, we're mostly concerned with blood and gore.

[ReptoClips98]

If you already uploaded your video, can you re-upload it for the contest?

[SmeagolStudios]

No, it has to be made / premiered specifically for this contest.

[insomniacsnetwork]

i think im going to sing up to this contest:D

[gunggung1]

I think I might do this. Although I really doubt I will win =(

[LegoSantaMoss]

Can you use a greenscene in your whole film?

[SmeagolStudios]

Yes, feel free to use any kind of effects you like. Just make sure at least 50% of the film contains stop motion animation with LEGO or some similar block toy.

[TNSthetormentor]

Are you allowed to post a trailer of your brickfilm before the deadline?

[SmeagolStudios]

Yes...but we're probably going to have a small official trailer contest connected to this contest, about a month or so before the contest deadline. If you release a trailer before then, that trailer won't be eligible for the trailer contest. (Though you'd be welcome to make a second trailer for the trailer contest.)

[wowrules227]

Can you post a video any time between now and July 20th?

[SmeagolStudios]

No, you can post your video on youtube between July 20th and July 25th.

[cloneblazer12]

I'm a little lost. Could I use STAR WARS characters, such as clones, but them being made up? Such as using Commander Buzzer, who, I might add, is completely my own creation, in a completely made up story that has real SW characters, but isn't infringing copyright? Would that be ok?

[SmeagolStudios]

No; anything set in the Star Wars universe, or any other franchise that still holds copyright, would basically be out for this contest. Something based on an old book or other creative work that is now in the public domain would be allowed. Something based on preexisting material is unlikely to be avant-garde, though.

[cloneblazer12]

@SmeagolStudios what if I had PERMISION from George Lucas himself? I'm just asking

[SmeagolStudios]

If you have legally binding, provable rights to use something then yeah you can use it.

[isaacmiller1993]

Is it ok if in the beginning of the video I show you're logo and a link to this video?

[SmeagolStudios]

Yeah, as long as you make it clear the site has no affiliation with your video and it's just an entry to the contest.

[isaacmiller1993]

Ok,Thank You:)

[SmeagolStudios]

I wrote the music specifically for this video.

[brickpartners22]

OK I got it now, thx for the info.

[isaacmiller1993]

Awsome thank you so much for having this contest:) can I enter 2 video's?

[SmeagolStudios]

Yes.

[brickpartners22]

Oh.. now I get it. Although I have 2 questions. One, (just to make sure) you only have 5 days to make the video? And 2, how come it's all the way till july?

[SmeagolStudios]

You have all the way until the deadline, starting from several months ago, to make the video, you just can't submit it until 5 days before (to avoid people copying each other or accusing others of copying them.)

[brickpartners22]

I'm making this video as I comment. By the way, did anybody enter it already?

[SmeagolStudios]

You can't enter until July 2010.

[BrickoStudios]

I don't understand the theme?

[SequenceMovies]

I'm definitely entering this- I haven't really done anything surreal before in stop-motion.

[legoman779]

im working on my animation now

[LooneyBrix]

i want to do this but i live in england and your giving dollars

[SmeagolStudios]

They're coupons for that value; you should be able to get this converted to whatever currency your country uses.

[WafeGary]

doing this :D

[MilesBeckham]

doing this

lol : )

[guitarmaniac525]

Whoa, that Dragon software is mighty expensive... $275! You guys are really giving that away? All I want though is 3rd place I guess..

[SmeagolStudios]

Yep, it's included in the grand prize package, which is worth several hundred dollars in total. However, it is being donated by the developer, Dragon.

[Ark11000]

It's on!

[sabertoothedlime]

oh yeah, I'm in, i already have a great idea for this contest.

[seaforce110]

Okay great, Im in!

[0verBurn101]

could it be like a war with guns but no blood??

[SmeagolStudios]

Yes, violence is okay as long as there isn't excessive blood and gore.

[invaderHUNK]

Nice music for a contest I will be first!(^_^)

[THEMASTERFILMS]

working on a stop motion film for this contest

[mnmtwinz]

this is beautiful!!!

[Pinballking7237]

So it can't be a fight scene even if there's no blood or guns.

[SmeagolStudios]

Yeah, it could. Though a fight scene would probably not be too innovative or tell much of a story unless you're very creative with it.

[Pinballking7237]

O.K, I might try something else then

[coreyteen13]

Does overall picture and sound quality count?

[SmeagolStudios]

Yeah, quality production values will definitely help an entry's chances.

[coreyteen13]

Okay, because I'm limited on software and I desperately don't want picture quality to be lost, but I have no other choice. :(

[RoyalBrickStudios]

can we post an entry sooner cuz july is far away

[SmeagolStudios]

Naw, the purpose of announcing the contest this early is to give people more than half a year to make their films. If somebody is really ambitious and puts a lot of time and effort into an entry, 7-8 months is not too much time.

[SmeagolStudios]

Yeah those are fine.

[adi2232]

Are people around the world allowed to enter this contest ??

[SmeagolStudios]

Yes. Depending on the country it may complicate shipping of prizes but we'll try to work something out with winners should the issue arise.

[TNSthetormentor]

I live in Finland, so is that a problem?

[SmeagolStudios]

I don't really know about shipping policies to Finland, we'll try our best to get prizes to the winners but in a worst case scenario we might settle for a cash equivalent on something like the microphone.

[mastercheif43]

I might have an entry for you soon.

[bricksstudios]

yay

[TNSthetormentor]

I dont use moviemaker. I use premiere elements.

[TNSthetormentor]

Are users like keshen, zachMG and blobstudios allowed to enter this? If yes then were screwed :(

[SmeagolStudios]

Anyone can enter, but keep in mind a really original, unique, creative concept is essential to this contest. So in some sense the less experienced entrants may have an advantage.

[TNSthetormentor]

Ok.