1. #21
    hi all,

    i like the idea of a 'competition' very much!
    i say this as a visitor of this forum, who is missing movies to watch - like a reader of a newspaper, where fewer articles are published.

    in my opinion, a main issue of rare contributions is the levelling of posted pieces by the forum-members...
    whenever i read 'raising the bar', i can hardly imagine, that it will promote making videos and posting them here. in which i don't mean any shyness of possible creators, but just that i can understand, that there is not much fun to link to a production and awaiting critics from the 'academy'.
    i don't want to be misunderstood, but i don't find it encouraging to note about missing 'cinematography' or 'story-line', when commenting a movie. to point-out a well done story is a great thing, to mention good angles and views is a good idea - but if those are missing, it doesn't make sense to expose that.
    this is about using the given possibilities, and there is absolutely no need for 'cinematography' or other cinematic terms.

    in other words, if movies with this game-engine show similarities to conventional movie-production and are also perfectly done, that is of course a remarkable thing. but if they are missing those, it can still be an excellent piece of work.
    if someone posts a movie for comments, it doesn't make sense to write lines about non-existing story-line or missing innovations. '(not) raising the bar' (whoever has set it anyway) creates standards, which per se induce comparison, which inhibits innovation!

    again, i am not talking about giving comments or critics of any kind... but creating 'standards' is, imo, what slows this forum down. something maybe done technically bad, but be based on a hilarious idea. something may just be perfectly composed images and bare of any sense, and still be good.
    it is not about accepting all, but nearly in every thread there is something about 'look here, how it is done'.

    in my opinion, there is no easyness anymore to be seen in new posted videos. and naturally so, many only try to get some acceptance by imitation.

    i think, a 'competition' would please me as part of the audience very much! i also think, a strong limitation to 3-4 minutes would be a great idea to push the unconventional and new.

    i hope, i found the right words, and i have highest respect for some of the later productions as fantastic work - but storylines like in 'the messenger' and effects like in 'entertainer' have been refreshing and well enough sufficient for being watched many times.
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  2. #22
    Deepo, very few forum members in here make a lot of comments about movies posted unless these are requested. If a new movie maker asks for comments and advice then he generally gets it. If they don't ask, then there is an etiquette that says we should hold our tongues - 'if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all'.

    If they do ask about how to improve their movies, then it is natural that the well established rules of cinematography will be quoted.

    As for the movie competition, then this is a different matter. It depends on what criteria Biltongbru wants the movies judged on. In my opinion, which is similar to yours, the entertainment value is the most important! You could have perfect cinematography but a really boring movie. However, you could have rubbish cinematography but a really good idea for a movie that is really entertaining. The best combination is an entertaining idea that uses good cinematogtraphy.

    The 'bar' is a fictional and very subjective entity. I would never insist that movie makers try and reach this, whatever it is, but please just ENTERTAIN ME!
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  3. #23
    Sounds like I am fence sitting here, but I must say that deepo's post was very good, albeit a little inaccurate on the invisible rules in here on critiquing, and I totally agree with his last part.

    However Joes reply was very very good, a bit like the Ronseal adverts "It does what it says on the can"

    Best regards

    Monty-Dan
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  4. #24
    Sorry for not rolling in earlier with an opinion, but I've been out of the country (Australia this time) and just returned.

    I'd be glad to helpout in any manner needed to organize/run a competition.

    My thoughts on points raised in earlier posts:

    1. A duration Limit of 4-5 minutes or so, to encourage newcomers and prevent them from 'going overboard' and having their project get too big to handle/finish.

    2. A judging 'Panel' should be used/established. Simply letting the "community' vote is subject to 'skewing' of the results.

    3. A few 'rules'/'standards' should be promulgated so that new movie-makers do not waste their time, unknowingly committing certain 'death-blow' (and avoidable) errors. I refer to such Basics as avoiding the inclusion of on-line text 'windows', HUD displays, and icons and uncropped FRAPS logos, etc; An otherwise quality movie submission would be very unlikely to be successful, regardless of its creativity. Other than that, anything goes...no "BAR" Standard.

    3. As an aside, I'm proud that Russell's Flight Sim Movies Website does include both "The Entertainer" and "The Messenger" among the Best of the Best in FSM IL2 movies.

    4. A competition would have to be announced somehow to the "YouTube IL2 Movie-Making Community". That 'community' produces a neverending stream of 'movies', of questionable quality, but buried in there are surely some potentially great movie-makers...IF they choose to devote some serious effort to a truly "competitive" entry.

    5. I agree that on this particular forum, critiques of Newbie movie-maker's products have been limited to positive encouragement whenever possible (or silence when that is simply not possible)...Detailed constructive and critical critiques have been offered only when requested by the movie creator.
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  5. #25
    bump bump bump
    so how do we start this?
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  6. #26
    BUMP Im up to this.


    - max 5 or 10 mins.
    - only music and sfx
    - only il2 engine used?
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  7. #27
    Thanks all the guys for your proper inputs; the fact that many of the old guard has responded so well is an indication that the interest is still high and we must try to keep this forum alive.

    Thanks also BBloke; I think myself and BBloke can hopefully work something out and present it to the forum?
    ANNOUNCEMENT!

    Behind the scenes a lot of organizing and communication took place;

    THE COMPETITION IS ON AND WILL BE RUN BY DOOLITTLE81, you will soon see the competition posting from him

    Thanks Doolittle, we know that you will do a great job
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  8. #28
    Clever work, Biltongbru, finding a 'volunteer'
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  9. #29
    LOL.. Is there a conspirancy afoot here!!! LOL
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