Announcing The Escapist Film Festival!

[The Escapist Staff]

Announcing The Escapist Film Festival!

Enjoy online videos? Ever find yourself thinking "I can do that!" when watching the newest video craze? Think you've got what it takes to become the next internet video celebrity?

Here's your chance! And you can even win stuff, like a content deal with the magazine, admission to GDC 2008 and a game console package! Got your attention? Good.

The Escapist, producer of the hit series Zero Punctuation, is proud to announce <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/content/filmfestival>The Escapist Film Festival.


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[Zera]

Oh man I so wanna do something like this. But unfortunetly I dont know how to make a video, and by the time I learn the deadline will pass. Oh Well...

 

[Katana314]

Can I enter this?
http://stage6.divx.com/user/Katana314/video/1772733/Press-Start

 

[Russ Pitts]

From the FAQs:

If I don't win the contest, can I publish my video somewhere else?

All qualified entries will be posted on The Escapist so our audience can see them, and to avoid complications we are requesting rights to the submitted product. It will not be an issue if you'd like to host your video on your website after the contest, however,providing you do not win an exclusive deal with The Escapist.

 

[Bongo Bill]

So, by default, the rights granted to The Escapist are nonexclusive, with the possibility of further negotiation (which may have basically any terms) if you win? Am I interpreting this correctly?

 

[Kronopticon]

id compete, but im afraid i have too much on my plate already, without using time making a flash video.. oh well, im sure there will be some absolutely amazing entries to watch!

 

[Russ Pitts]

So, by default, the rights granted to The Escapist are nonexclusive, with the possibility of further negotiation (which may have basically any terms) if you win? Am I interpreting this correctly?

The simplest way I can put it is this: If you submit a video it becomes property of The Escapist. If you do not win the contest, you may post your video elsewhere. If you do win the contest, we'll talk.

 

[Russ Pitts]

Another from the FAQs:

What's copyrighted material, and what can I use in my video? Is box art copyrighted?

These questions are the reason we make blanket statements like "no copyrighted material" because the laws are vague and what exactly is "fair use" is still under debate (in court, which is a place we don't like to be). Typically box art and company logos aren't considered copyrighted material, they're considered trademarked material, which is entirely different in ways that aren't entirely important we delve into.

What is important, however, is that it's usually OK to use box art or logos. If you want super duper extra points from the people who must answer these emails and forum questions (and, in a cruel twist of fate will be judging your videos) you can do some research into Fair Use statutes and make your own informed decision as to what to include or not.

I should warn you however, if we have a question over the legality of showing your video on our site, we will default to not showing it, and you will be disqualified. So choose your path carefully.

Therefore, it's probably best to adhere to this simple guideline, as originally stated in the contest rules: No copyrighted material. And if you've any doubt as to whether or not something is allowable, it probably isn't.

 

[Bongo Bill]

So, by default, the rights granted to The Escapist are nonexclusive, with the possibility of further negotiation (which may have basically any terms) if you win? Am I interpreting this correctly?

The simplest way I can put it is this: If you submit a video it becomes property of The Escapist. If you do not win the contest, you may post your video elsewhere. If you do win the contest, we'll talk.

So, by submitting, you give up all rights to the video, but if you lose, you reacquire nonexclusive distribution rights? That can't be right, maybe I'm missing something.