🎬 Film Production - "I Belong"

What is Film Production?

Film production means YOU make a movie! You write it, direct it, and edit it to show the theme "I Belong."

Do I Have to Be in My Film?

✅ NO! You don't have to appear in your film
✅ BUT if you want to be in it, that's okay! You can use a tripod to film yourself
✅ You're the producer - that means you're in charge of making the whole movie!

What Kind of Film Can I Make?

Any style you want! Here are some ideas:

• 🎨 Animation: Make drawings, clay figures, or computer graphics move
• 📖 Narrative: Tell a made-up story (fiction)
• 📚 Documentary: Share real facts and information about something
• 🎭 Experimental: Play with lights, movement, and creative editing
• 🖼️ Multimedia: Mix different things together (photos, text, audio, animation, etc.)

You can use fancy technology OR keep it simple! What matters most is showing the theme "I Belong" in YOUR creative way!

What Will the Judges Look For?

Judges want to see:

1. ✨ How your film shows the theme "I Belong"
2. 🎨 Your original, creative ideas
3. 💭 Your artistic vision (the story you're telling)

Things That Make Your Film Great:

• Interesting characters and story
• Cool visuals (costumes, settings, animation)
• Sound effects and music
• Good editing
• Clear connection to "I Belong"

Can I Use Technology or Apps?

YES! You can use:

• Video editing apps
• Animation software
• Special effects
• Filters and editing tools

BUT REMEMBER: The computer/app can help you make your film better, but YOU must come up with the main idea and story. The technology is just your tool!

IMPORTANT: On your entry form, write down what tools you used (like "iMovie app" or "Stop Motion Studio" or "Canva").

Important Copyright Rules

What You CANNOT Use:

• ❌ Cartoon characters you didn't create (like Mickey Mouse, SpongeBob, etc.)
• ❌ Photos or videos downloaded from the internet (unless you took them)
• ❌ Someone else's film or animation
• ❌ PowerPoint presentations

✅ What You CAN Use:

• ✅ Background music (just write down the song name on your form)
• ✅ Public places (like filming at a park or store - that's fine!)
• ✅ Magazine or newspaper clippings to create something new
• ✅ Parts of photos you cut and use in a new, creative way

The Big Idea: Everything in your film should be YOUR original creation, except background music!

Video Requirements

Technical Stuff:

• ⏱️ Time Limit: 5 minutes or less
• 💾 File Size: Must be 1,000 MB or smaller
• 📁 File Type: MP4, MOV, or AVI only
• 🎥 All footage: Must be filmed/created by YOU

Content Rules:

• 🆕 Must be brand new (not something you made before)
• 👤 Only ONE student can be the filmmaker
• 🎵 Write down any music you used on the entry form

How Do I Submit My Film?

Step 1: Create your film
Step 2: Make sure it follows all the rules above
Step 3: Fill out the student entry form in English or Spanish

• Write down any background music (song title, who wrote it, who sings it)
• Write down what tools/apps you used to make it
  Step 4: Turn in your video and form by October 24

Where to submit: Email your entry to perrineaotapta@gmail.com

Quick Checklist Before You Submit:

• My film is 5 minutes or less
• I wrote, directed, and edited it myself
• I didn't use copyrighted characters or downloaded videos
• I wrote down what music I used (if any)
• I wrote down what tools/apps I used
• My film shows the theme "I Belong"
• My file is MP4, MOV, or AVI format

Remember!

🌟 Every filmmaker is celebrated!
🌟 Simple films can be just as creative as fancy ones
🌟 Your story and vision matter most
🌟 Have FUN making your movie!

Questions? Ask David Villeta at perrineaotapta@gmail.com

Full official rules: Go to the Florida Reflections Website and scroll down to Film Production