YOUR BIG QUESTIONS
- Updated on 12/20/09 -
ALL YOUR BIG QUESTIONS ANSWERED!
Welcome to our FAQ! We’ll be adding more of Your Big Questions as you ask them – and as the competition continues.
Who can enter Your Big Break?
Your Big Break is a global competition. Provided you are over the age of 18 you can take part.
Do we have to write the screenplay with shooting in Queenstown in mind? Moreover, only Queenstown?
Yes, you will be filming in the Queenstown region only (but you are not shooting a film ‘for’ Queenstown). You need to bear in mind the logistics and the available terrain in the area but you have 2 days to shoot your film and can travel around the area provided you keep within the budget and timeframe.
You will have a week of pre production to sort out logistics. Queenstown and its neighboring regions are vast and diverse and many types of scenes can be captured, from alpine to lake, from beach to urban. You will also have access to 35mm aerial footage to use in your film without the need to shoot from a helicopter/plane.
Can I submit multiple entries?
Yes.
Is it possible to enter as a two or more person team?
Your Big Break is for individuals. The five finalists will be flown to New Zealand (if they aren’t already here). You will be the director and you will be provided with a local support team.
Do I have a budget?
If your concept requires them, you will be given resources to complete the project to a maximum budget of NZ$100,000. These will include crew, gear, sound & video post production requirements, some talent and use of music. Please be assured, while these resources can be made available you may well wish to ‘got it alone’ with your own camera and equipment or your idea may not require paid talent or music. Please treat these as available resources only and not as a mandatory requirement.
What could be achieved on the budget?
We suggest the first thing you should do is go to the Your Big Break website and see Barrie Osborne answer the question: “3 minutes of screen time in two days. Possible?”
Will the five finalists be selected by your own group of panelists or from viewers?
Of the final 5 screenplays, one will be selected by public vote and the other four will be selected by an expert panel, including multi Academy Award winners.
Does the supporting material have to be 60 seconds long?
You have the option of loading either an image or video as your supporting material. If you choose video, it does not HAVE to be 60 seconds long but we recommend keeping it concise and to the point. Like an elevator pitch. You’ll only have one chance of getting the attention of the judges so the clearer your thinking the better your chances are of standing out.
Is there any stock footage available for use?
Yes there is aerial footage available, shot on 35mm. Refer to the brief and inspiration sections of the Your Big Break website and download the footage selection available for use. If you are one of the lucky five who make it to New Zealand you will have access to the original footage, saving you time and money should you wish to utilise these aerials in your finished film.
Can we use footage that has already been shot?
If you have access to other stock footage and have legal rights to use it, that’s fine – so long as you can confirm footage rights. Any royalties for stock footage use would have to come out of the available production budget.
What if I want to do it as a series of still images that I shoot myself?
That is fine so long as it can be contained to the schedule and budget. Including the post-production schedule.
Is it possible to use local people in my film?
Yes, you could and will need to get them to sign a release form. Any appearance fees would need to be managed within the overall budget. There will be an opportunity to cast talent prior to the shoot, if required.
Can we supply our own talent?
Yes, you could supply your own talent, but unless they are New Zealanders or Australians there would be hoops to jump through. Other foreign nationals require a temporary work permit and a letter of non-objection from Actors’ Equity based on some fairly cogent reasoning as to why a non-New Zealander should be employed – this could also be tricky given the timeframes we’ll be working to. Of course any talent used would need to sign the usual release forms & any appearance fees would need to be managed within the overall budget. There will be an opportunity to cast talent prior to the shoot, if required.
What about music?
We are in negotiations to pre-clear some New Zealand music to make available as inspiration, and for possible use in films. There may be fees attached to these (depending on the artists) which would have to be managed as part of the overall budget. If your film is chosen for production we could also assist with approaches on any other New Zealand music tracks, although there is no guarantee of gaining clearance in the timeframe. The audio suites will also have library music available of course.
Can I make a 3 minute animation short film?
Sure you can. However as we are going to be strict when it comes to the schedule you had better start now and submit your Work In Progress as late as possible. Obviously any costs you incur during the process until final judging will be yours.
Can I bring down my laptop and edit my film myself?
Yes provided you can do this within the post production schedule.
Can CGI shots be used in the film?
In considering the time and budget we determined that CGI would unfortunately have to be ruled out.
Can I use a green screen/studio?
Queenstown is the outside shooting capital of the world, not the inside shooting capital of the world! There is no green screen studio available in Queenstown, however a very small green screen could conceivably be set up in a building there.
What you need to be aware of is that you have two days shooting in Queenstown. Total. That needs to include any green screen production. You also need to be aware of the implications green screen will have on two components. Budget and schedule.
The resource (and timeframe) you will have at your disposal in Park Road Post is predicated on finishing a film that doesn’t require extensive posting. If your idea is chosen to be made, any post production required for the green screen will need to be factored into the budget and the post production schedule by the production team and adjustments made to fit the budget. In other words you may end up having to trade shooting resources for increased post production.
Also just a reminder that part of the judging criteria is: Can this idea be delivered on time and on budget? If the judges determine that your use of green screen will impact negatively on both budget and schedule they may deem it ineligible for one of the final films.
If you think you can make a brilliant idea with the use of green screen that can fit the above criteria we really look forward to seeing it!
If we have an idea that would need to be digitally generated is this something we would have assistance and able to produce from Weta Digital?
The services of Weta Digital are unfortunately not on offer for this project – bearing in mind the timeframes for CGI it’s hard to imagine how much could be achieved in the available schedule.
Can I do my own digital effects, using my own equipment?
CGI was ruled out based upon the average length of the process and the fact that resources to produce CGI are not available as part of the competition prize. However, if you’re confident you can produce your own CGI with no additional resources required, and do so within the post-production timeframe, you’re welcome to try. You might like to add a note to your entry that lets the judges know how you plan to do this.
Are the services of Weta Workshop available as part of the competition prize?
Sorry, the services of Weta Workshop are not available for use during the production of your short.
Who can enter the Viewers Choice Sweepstakes?
The Viewers Choice Sweepstakes are open to U.S. residents only.
How do I delete my entry?
To delete your entry, leave a comment on the entry asking for it to be deleted – we’ll take care of the rest!
How can I make changes to my entry?
To change an entry after it’s been uploaded, you’ll need to delete it, then re-upload your entry. To delete your entry, leave a comment on the entry asking for it to be deleted.
Can I use material in my pitch that has been made by other people, such as artwork and music?
So long as you have approval to use this third-party material (and can prove it), you’re welcome to use whatever you wish.
How does the website determine which entries are the Most Popular?
The Most Popular entries are calculated according to a mix of Votes and Views logged over the past 24 hours. If you upload an entry and it gets lots of views right away and lots of votes, it will come up as highly popular – but if people stop voting and viewing, its popularity will progressively decrease over time. It’s a popularity system that ensures new entries are in with a shot of hitting the Most Popular list – but it has no bearing on the Viewer’s Choice, which is calculated according to lifetime votes over the duration of the voting period.
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common questions, FAQ, frequently asked questions, more info, questions
Hi,
I just wanted to know if there’s any particular format the Big Break finalists will be expected to shoot on.
Thanks,
Julietta.
Hi Julietta, you will be asked to shoot on a specific format. The exact format is still being finalised, but it will be a high-end digital format.
Hi Shane, that’s what I would recommend – you may need to adjust any resulting formatting issues after you’ve pasted it in.
If the director cannot speak English well? However, he had a lot of experience in film. Can you have an interpreter for him?
How will you know if the submission went through. I didn’t receive a conformation email.
Hi Big Break
I cannot seem to load my presentation video and script onto the website. I have been attempting since last night to do this. Our format and script source (MS Word) are compatible. Are there any problems that we need to know about to complete loading and entry?
Kind regards
Matt
UPDATE: I have just received confirmation of my entry via email: many thanks.
To those trying to upload: entry might take a while. The site seems well administrated and will review all entries before they appear.
Regards
Matt
Hi Pat, your submission has been received and is currently being reviewed prior to being posted on the site.
Hi Panot, requirements such as these will be examined after the finalists have been selected. If one of the finalists requires an interpreter, it can be arranged as part of the film’s budget.
Thank you Matt…
I was wondering is you can delete my older post..
I was wondering if you can delete my older post..
Hi,
We know the rules say the competition is for individuals only, but as identical twin film-makers (the closest we think two people can get to being one), do you think they might make an exception? Or is it wiser to have one twin submit alone?
Thanks,
Aaron and Jordan Kandell
Hi Aaron and Jordan, that’s an interesting way to try and get around that rule … but, um, suggest only one of you enters to avoid your entry being disregarded by the judges!
Hey,
I remember seeing in the brief that this is not meant to be a commercial, yet a lot of the scripts take an advertisment kind of approach. Did I miss something? Are the judges looking for more of a plot oriented script or a showcase of new zealand script?
Thx
Jared
Hi Jared – it’s up to the entrant. Some people have chosen to take that approach, but it’s certainly not mandatory.
The video clip for my entry The Next Promise cuts out on the site at 1.20 instead of running the full 3 1/2 mins. I have successfully uploaded it in it’s entirety to Face bk . I have since tried to re-upload it. Also I don’t seem to be receiving emails from YBB. My question is (wringing hands helplessly): Will everything be okay?
Hi Monique, suggest you either re-upload using the YouTube option – or post a link to a YouTube version of the video in the comments on your entry. Either way, the judges will view your video.
I am interested to know if there is a sub-committee that pre-screens the enteries or if the judging board will literally be viewing each and every qualifying submission?
Hi Kyle, it’s a complex judging process with the entries split between multiple judges – but every entry is viewed by more than one judge, and a good percentage will be seen by all of them.
Hi there,
I posted my script very recently and just realized as I looked over it that I have used shorthand during a key part of the script and I am worried that the judges will be confused by this. Should I re-submit the entire entry with an amended script? Is there something else I can do, or will the judges have already seen the entry?
Thanks
Hi Dave, I suggest you add a comment to your entry explaining the issue and including the section that has the shorthand.
Hi,
Will Peter Jackson have any say in who the final five are? Or is he only going to be deciding the best out of the five?
Thanks,
Michael Herp
I just wanted to know if My pitch entitled “Hey There” has been received. Only because I would like to re-submit. Thank you!
Hi
I uploaded a script, ‘two weeks’ last night which hasn’t actually appeared yet in the listings. Which is great. Can you delete it? In the light of day (rather than a 2am delirium) I have made a couple of small but quite considerable changes to it – enough to warrant reposting rather than adding notes to the comments section.
Ta Muchly
Matt
Hi Michael, Peter Jackson will be judging the best film out of the five finalists.
I have been reading that the winners will be contacted by phone… But I did not have the option of filling out any of that. When my account was created, it only gave me the option of filling in an email. The only cantact information I have on here is my email? How can I fill out the other information?
Hi,
I read under the rules that you must submit all your contact information.If not, there’s disqualification. So far, only my email is provided. Will the contact information asked to be provided once the five finalists have been chosen?
My entry is entitled “Pure Discovery” and I was wondering if it was possible to change your entry once you’ve submitted it?
for example, changing out a still for a video presentation.
thank you
Hello,
my entry is entitled “Pure Discovery” uploaded on 1/14/10
I uploaded a photo thinking it was a thumbnail and had to re-enter my submissio with an h264 video. I didn’t confirm the email of the 1st entry on the 2nd.
I neglected to make special mention in my re-enry, I just copied everything over. Will the judges post the first one without noticing the 2nd?
thank you
Hi Maria, yes – you’ll be contacted via email in the first instance, and will have the opportunity to provide all your details then.
Hi Jericho, you’ll be contacted via email in the first instance, and will have the opportunity to provide your full contact details after that.
Hi Albert, instructions on removing your entry can be found in our FAQ, the blog post Your Big Questions. The admins will notice and second version you uploaded and should remove the first – but either way, the most recent upload will be judged.
How soon before we see more uploaded files? Haven’t seen a new one in a while.
Hello, I submitted my entry about twelve hours ago and hasn’t shown up yet – should I submit again?- just want to make sure it makes the deadline.
Can we include html coding in our submission, I believe that the text area under “Script” has a basic form of this.
Can someone confirm before I submit?
Big Break
Hey guys,
Yesterday morning I submitted my entry for 100% pure New Zealand and there is a still image and not a video for the presentation; thinking I was submitting a thumbnail for the video. I would like to know if it is possible to update my entry with a version that has my video.
The rules state that I must post a request for my entry to be deleted in order to replace it with a newer version. I did so, but only if you guys can confirm that you recieved the newer entry with the video.
I re-submitted last night around 9:30pm (US) Pacific time and received a confirmation email for the version with the still image this morning. Support said that they’d post whatever the newest entry was for that title; I just want to make sure they got it.
My project is entitled “Pure Discovery”. I know the deadline is creeping up and I imagine you guys are slammed, I appreciate you taking the time to deal with us crazy hopefuls.
thank you,
Albert Lopez
Hi XoVos, you can try but I suspect it will just appear as plain text, not html. But it won’t affect your entry to have it in there.
I think I entered my submission in the nick of time today, right before the submit button disappered from the site. I pasted a script and received account confirmation email. I just wanted to verify that my submission went through.
Thank you!
F
Are we the only team??
http://www.your-big-break.com/entry/11934
who are the winner?
hi I would like to have my entry removed now that the contest is over. I followed the instructions and placed a comment on my entry’s page to have it removed but it is still there. The entry is http://www.your-big-break.com/entry/12713
thanks for your help
Hi Shane, will pass your request on to our technical team.