(See Our Anti-Harassment Policy)

 
Fair Use is an important copyright concept for educators who

use copyrighted works in our teachings like the photo pictured above.

The Fair Use doctrine will also permit limited use of copyrighted material by our event contestants without acquiring permission from the rights holders. 

After registering, you and your team will be provided access to our "Filmmaking Mobile' online micro-learning mobile platform to help you meet the challenges you'll face for this event.

Our online course consists of a series of bite-sized pieces of information curated by our Film/Video Arts Educator Jennifer Saunders that will make learning how to create videos

using your smartphone fun and easy.

You'll receive a series of emails with information and tips leading up to and during the event.  You'll also be a part of our shared closed filmmaker's online community so that you can connect with your instructor for support at any time.

Our world's best and most advanced mobile-first instructional designed platform Gnowbe has redefined and humanized teaching and learning for the 21st-century. Now you can learn anytime, anywhere, and whenever you want to learn. 

Official Filmmaking Rules

(How Things Work)

Below are the Filmmaking Rules. (Be sure to also read the Official Competition Rules.)

A. Times

The Official Time Period. 

The participating group/team must complete its film/video work in time to submit it on Sunday by 3:00 pm. Only works that meet the deadline will be officially part of the competition. All films received on Sunday (on-time and late) will be screened.

B. Creative Process

All creativity must take place during the Official Time Period. Any creative work in advance of the competition weekend is prohibited. Creative work includes, but is not limited to: The only work to begin prior to the Official Time Period is:

Organizing Crew
Organizing Cast
Securing Equipment
Scouting/Securing Locations

C. Music Rights

Participating groups are encouraged to work with a composer and/or musicians to write and record music for the films. It is permissible for a participating group to use pre-recorded music; however, the participating group must have the rights to any music used in its film and must provide releases for all music used. As with music, pre-recorded sound effects are allowed, but you must have the right to use them.

D. Footage

All footage must be shot within the Official Time Period of the project. Animation and special effects are permitted but must be created during the Official Time Period.

No stock footage or footage shot or created at another time may be used unless the footage is part of a post-production effect or on a background monitor, i.e., a television, as long as the team has rights to the stock footage and the stock footage is placed over or under footage that is shot within the Official Time Period. Allowable stock footage includes bullets, fires, explosions, chromakeyed backgrounds, etc., but stock footage of people or other performers is not allowed.

Pre-made sequences or compositions that are available to all via purchase or download are permitted if a majority of frames contain content (e.g., text or images) created within the Official Time Period. The pre-made portion of the sequence may not include people or other performers.

Still photographs are permitted, provided that the team has the rights to them. The photos do not need to be created during the Official Time Period; however, stills created outside of the Official Time Period may not be used in sequence to create the illusion of motion.

Permissible stock footage within effects, permissible pre-made sequences, and still photographs must all be accompanied by a Materials Release demonstrating that the team has rights to use them.

E. Kickoff Event

Each participating team must have a representative at the official Kickoff Event of the 45 Hour Film Project.

F. Required Elements

Each participating group will be assigned required elements that must appear in its film, such as a basic cinematic structure, familiar image, and dominating color(s). 

The required 'basic cinematic structures' to be used in your film must be in accordance with 'The 8 Basic Laws of Cinema' as presented in the 'filmmaking mobile' program provided for you 2 weeks prior to the start of the event.

The 'familiar image' required in your film that will be used as a metaphor, allegory, or underlying message to reinforce your film's underlying theme or message must be in accordance with 'The 8 Basic Laws of Cinema' as presented in the 'filmmaking mobile' program provided for you 2 weeks prior to the start of the event.

The required use of a 'dominating color' as a technique used to reinforce your intended impact upon the viewing audience must be in accordance with 'The 8 Basic Laws of Cinema' as presented in the 'filmmaking mobile' program provided for you 2 weeks prior to the start of the event.

G. Cameras

Any type of smartphone, either Android or IPhone may be used. There is no limit to the number of cameras teams can use.

H.  Total Running Time

The finished film must be a minimum of 4 minutes in duration, and a maximum of 10 minutes in duration—not including end credits.

I. Opening Credits

After 2 seconds of black, some films start with opening credits. If you use them, opening credits are considered to be part of the film, and therefore count against the ten-minute maximum.

J. End Credits

Credits at the end of each film are limited to a maximum of 60 seconds.

K. Slates And Credits After Competition

Films will be submitted by the team on the official upload site. All films received on the evening of the deadline (on time and late) will be screened, presuming they meet the eligibility requirements.

L. Release Documents

Each team must secure releases for talent, crew, music, and locations (and any other applicable releases), which must be turned in to the project organizers with the finished film/video. The film/video will not be screened before the release forms are submitted.

M. Applicable Laws and Regulations

To be eligible for the Project, Entries must be the original work of the Entrant; must not infringe third-party's rights; must be suitable for publication (i.e., may not be obscene or indecent); must not contain obscene or pornographic material; may not contain defamatory statements about any person, company, organization or entity; may not invade privacy or other rights of any person, company or entity; may not in any other way violate applicable laws and regulations.

N. No Pre-Screening Distribution

The Entrants should not distribute their entry/video in any way prior to the public screening on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. This includes uploading the video to any website or screening the film for groups of anyone other than the team. The Entrants are encouraged to make a trailer of their film and distribute that instead. This trailer should be no longer than 60 seconds.

O. Disqualification

Project Parties may, in their sole discretion, disqualify Entries deemed to be inappropriate or otherwise non-compliant.

A panel of independent judges and audience members' votes will determine the winners.

Tips For Filmmakers

 Plan Ahead

All creative work must be done during the official filmmaking period; however, you can get some of the tedious paperwork done ahead of time.

 Waiver and Release Forms

Get your team members to sign releases ahead of time - then you don't have to worry with it during crunch time. Note: This form helps protect you, the team leader, as well as our company.

 Local Musicians

Some local musicians, bands & composers may be willing to let you use their work in your film because it creates additional exposure for their talents.

 Creative Commons

You may use music or materials that fall under the Attribution license. This is the only CC license that meets the 48HFP conditions.

Note: Creative Commons licenses that are either Non-Commercial or Sharealike are NOT compatible with the 48HFP's Team Leader's Agreement and therefore can NOT be used.