Forum rules

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New forum exclusively use for the short film contest.

All new THREADS (not posts) are moderated in order to keep the forum clean.

[Bif]

An appeal to reason:

I'm using this thread rather that start a new one and I expect this post to be deleted when it is no longer needed.

I ask that no argument take place here, we've had enough of that.

A contest cannot survive if the rules are continually questioned. Each entrant has to know that if they follow the rules their entry will be valid and eligible to be judged. Daniel Rutter has attempted to put this contest venue back on track as envisioned by Antman when he started it, with the rules that were in place at that time.

As far as a winner not being eligible to compete in the next contest there is well established precedent in a number of different contest venues. In some the winners of monthly contests are not eligible to compete for the rest of the year and then at the end of the year compete against each other. I saw this in a number of photo clubs where until that was put in effect, the same 3 people won the first 3 places each month.

Here we've hit what may be a happy medium, with the winner deciding the next theme he is asked to either sit that next one out or declare his entry "non competitive". There is enough precedent on this also, I know of two contest co-ordinators who do this on a regular basis on a voluntary basis. These "non competitive" entries are far from "wasted", they are done in a spirit of participation and support for the contest. The important thing is that they too see the benefit of finishing an entry and getting some feedback.

When Vishus first asked me to do some judging he was concerned that would cut me out of accepting the "challenge" of doing one. My immediate response was tha if I could finish one, I would post it but declare it "non competitive". Not a "non legit" entry but one that my judging would render ineligible to be declared a winning entry.

Those who hold that the policy of a winner competing in the next contest as being a rule from "day one" are not correct.

When it was decided that the winner would set the next "theme" it was also decided that he would sit that one out since he would be considered to have known what that theme would be ahead of the others. I remember this when I first started considering participation here. It wasn't very long before that was changed. But it remains the moderator's call.

A "non competitive" entry by someone who has just won, or someone who volunteers to judge is a very "sportsmanlike" gesture and marks one who has as much or more regard for his fellow participants and for the contest venue than for his own "ego".

There may be too much emphasis on winning as such. The real winning has to be in the completion of an entry, and in the achieving improvement over past efforts. All of these contests can be very much like "free film school".

I've been in contact with a couple of the admins and they are in agreement with the following: A set of rules that is stable and unbending from pressure is essential to the success of a contest. This insures that each entrant knows where they stand, that the playing field is level for all, and that there are no surprises. This month's rules are the same as last month's rules and all must abide by them to the same degree.

The contest mod should not have to contend with dissenting post after dissenting post, contest venues are not a democracy and are not run by vote.

So, I ask, that this contest venue continue and have a chance at developing and growing, that everyone work with the contest moderator (Daniel Rutter), accept the rules he lays out, and proceed to work to the best of your ability within those rules and most of all...

...Have some fun.

Bruce Foreman

[AJUK]

I'd agree with you if there were some prize involved or some other reason that choosing the theme would be an real advantage, but surely choosing the theme could also simply be a way for the winner to choose a genre or subject that they were keen to use and to see other filmmakers use?

In any case, when the competition itself is sorely undersubscribed and barely hanging on, it doesn't make sense to exclude anyone from entering. That's my take on it.

One thing is for sure, a lot of folks are getting bent way out of shape over the competition thread, including yourself, and I really can't see why we don't all play nicely. After all, the competition thread should be a way to encourage members to get out and shoot films, not take aim at each other like some kind of silly high-noon gunslingers!

[HueyNRolf]

In any case, when the competition itself is sorely undersubscribed and barely hanging on, it doesn't make sense to exclude anyone from entering. That's my take on it.

Thank you. There's the reality.

[Fade to inferno]

You know what. Its fine, we are getting nowhere discussing this. This is getting highly repetitive, lets just see how it turns out. I would rather have the contest exist, at this rate we will destroy it. So lets just all chill out

[HueyNRolf]

So lets just all chill out

If it chills anymore it will freeze.
I've asked dan'l, more then once, when he's going to get started.
I agree, it's all been said.

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If you all carry on the way you are (not you Bif, your post here is rational), I might just step in, and start the moderating, and be sole judge, and decide on the theme.

Either you can do this yourself, or I will do it for you.

The Superdome in New Orleans during Katrina showed us what happens when people are left alone I guess....this is just a repeat of that....psychologically....I guess....

[Playing]

...contest venues are not a democracy and are not run by vote.

This might be true in a big contest, but here?
We are all contributing one way or another to this contest and as such we all have the right to make suggestions. This is not a military camp.

In my opinion, we either have a democratic contest, or everyone who has an idea starts his own contest the way Vishus did. Both will work.

What will get no support is a single contest run by a dictator.

This of course comes from someone who has been thrown out of the Boy Scouts, the Catholic Church and the Swiss Army for refusing to take orders without questions.