Ask away!

Q: When is the project going to start?

A: It has! We've made two pieces of our own, and are now accepting submissions from others. We'll be closing the first round at the end of December 2005. In an ideal world, we'll get a heap of excellent quality content and sufficient funding or sponsorship to release the first DVD by early 2006. Deadline dates for submissions will be posted on this site. You're welcome to join the eGroup if you'd like to be kept informed of progress. If you just want Important Announcements from us and not the day-to-day chatter, just specify that in your eGroup settings :)

Q: Does all work submitted have to be a collaboration, or can I submit works that are all my own?

A: At this stage, we're willing to accept works that are done by one person. As one of the main goals of this project is to foster cross-media collaborations though, we're far more likely to select your work if it is a joint work.

Q: What formats do you accept?

A: Initially, we will accept submissions in a range of formats and convert them ourselves if need be. The released DVDs will probably be NTSC, as most PAL systems also accept NTSC but not vice-versa - so a DVD in NTSC format would be ideal. VHS, Hi8, Digital8 and Mini DV tapes are also OK. We're cross-platform, so Mac or PC formatted files are fine if you're sending a CD. Make sure that you EXPORT from any program you're using though! We don't want your Flash pieces as .fla files, export them as .avi, .mov or .swf as appropriate, and at LEAST 384x288 pixels - preferably the best quality you can. The better the quality of whatever you give us, the more likely it is to be selected. Email us to ask if your format will be OK before you send us a copy if you're using something other than the formats mentioned above. NEVER SEND US YOUR ORIGINAL! Things can go missing in the post. Only send us a good quality copy of your work.

Q: Does it have to have sound? and/or Can it just be an audio track?

A: The idea is that they're multimedia works - both audio and video. You should be able to find someone to collaborate with on through our Meet facilities. Audio does not have to be music, it can be spoken word, original dialogue (eg short films), foley/sound effects or sound art. If you DO use music, you must have permission to do so, as copyright is an important issue.

Q: Does it HAVE to be 3 minutes long? Exactly?

A: Yep, pretty much. A 5-10 second gap before and/or after is fine (in fact, ideal) but if it's more that 10 seconds under or over, we won't accept it. We're not about to edit other people's work. The 3 minutes can either be with or without the credits - up to 30 seconds of credits in addition to the 3 minute actual piece is fine.

Q: Do you only accept works in the English language?

A: No, we will accept works in any language, although we require an English transcript and preferably a version with English subtitles.

Q: Will I get paid? and/or Will I pave to pay?

A: Nope. At this stage, we're not charging a submission fee, but also we cannot offer any royalties or payment for use of the selected works. We hope that we will be able to provide participants with some copies of the DVDs, which they can then sell or use for marketing their work, although even this will be subject to funding so you should assume on application that there will be NO form of payment (and then if you end up getting some DVDs, bonus!).

This may change at some stage in the future if we can get funding and/or when the project actually starts to make money - although our intention is that this will always be a not-for-profit project. If you think your work's good enough and want to get paid for it, we enthusiastically suggest microcinema.com, who are a lot bigger and more established than us and have a load of sponsors and paying outlets.

Q: Who owns copyright of my material if it's selected to be on the DVD?

Submission of material will require you to sign a non-exclusive licencing agreement with us. This will say that we can use your material in the ways outlined (eg, on DVD), but will NOT prevent you from using your own material still in any way you want. Copyright will remain yours at all times. So, if you get offered a big publishing deal after your work appears on the DVD, then go for it! Just remember us when you're famous ;)

If you use ANY material that isn't 100% your own creation, it is your responsibility to get the appropriate Release Forms etc from the copyright owners. We are NOT responsible for chasing this up - it must be done BEFORE you submit the work and you need to sign that it's been done in the Licencing Agreement you sign with us.