Are you guys ready for a contest that will really test your filmmaking chops?

Siemens is looking for documentaries about sustainable cities. I can hear you asking “But Manny, whatever do you mean?” The good news is that they have some really great examples on their site. Go to Siemens’ /answers youtube to check out some of those stories. My personal fave is Leon’s London.

We’re really excited to see what you Zooppers will come up with. I think that’s the best part even though first place is a whopping $15,000!

Client Awards Breakdown
1st Place $15,000
2nd Place $7,500
3rd Place $4,500
4th Place $2,500
5th Place $2,000
6th Place $1,500
7th Place $1,000
8th Place $950
9th Place $900
10th Place $800
11th Place $850
12th Place $700
13th Place $650
14th Place $600
15th Place $550

Just to clarify, Siemens will own all works created for this contest upon submitting an entry regardless if they are awarded a client prize?

Yes. However, you can still use it to promote yourself. In a demo reel or portfolio, for example.

You can’t enter it in other contests or film festivals etc.

Any other questions?

Thanks Manny, just one more question.

Does Zooppa or Siemens reserve the right to cancel the contest due to insufficient number of entries in the contest? (if so what is the minimum number of entries they would need?)
Also if none of the videos meet their standards of what they are looking for content wise, is there a chance of the contest being cancled?

I asume that Zooppa/Siemens reserves the right to extend the contest due date for whatever reasons am I correct?

I would hate to enter this contest (have the rights to my entry be owned by Siemens) to only find out later that the contest can be cancled due to lack of entries.

Thanks again Manny.

Nope.

That’s never happened nor will it. That’s kind of a shady thing to do. We’ve extended contests like the MegaPath Tech Talk contest because the client liked the videos and wanted more and they increased the award amounts as well. Matching donors was extended because one of the judges couldn’t really start judging until October.

We finish contests here…and well, I might add.

Thanks!

Manny

thats great to hear Manny!

Thanks again!

Following on the previous question/answer. You said it’s fine to use for promotion. Does this mean that if you’re focusing on someone who has a company that is doing something related to these issues and profiling that person and their mission that this person would be totally free to use this video to promote their company or their mission?

So do they want us to focus more on struggles cities have towards becoming sustainable (i.e. Issues), OR will it be equally weighted to talk about my city being sustainable? I live in a city that was ranked 4th for sustainability efforts in the U.S., so I’m not sure what direction to go here? Thanks

2. ALSO, is the “End Slate” where it fades to white and it gives you 2-3 interesting facts? Siemen wants that right?

3. I know it says not to brand Siemen, but can we use the company name “Siemen” in the end slate to explain a fact on what they’re doing in our city? Thanks

Hello.
Siemens competition dose not have such paragraph “All music, images, video footage and other content must be either originally produced by the filmmaker submitting the video, or proper permissions must be authorized by the copyright owner.”
May I use the audio file that is not at my property ??

I meant “does”. Sorry for mistakes.

Quote:

Following on the previous question/answer. You said it’s fine to use for promotion. Does this mean that if you’re focusing on someone who has a company that is doing something related to these issues and profiling that person and their mission that this person would be totally free to use this video to promote their company or their mission?

Yes, you can use it for self promotion of your company just as Siemens may as well.

Quote:

So do they want us to focus more on struggles cities have towards becoming sustainable (i.e. Issues), OR will it be equally weighted to talk about my city being sustainable? I live in a city that was ranked 4th for sustainability efforts in the U.S., so I’m not sure what direction to go here? Thanks

from the brief:
“Your videos should be about everyday challenges of urban life regarding the above topic areas and your personal vision of how and by what means urban life should/could be better in the future. "

It can be about struggles OR

“The video can, however, also be based in the present showing how technology already does improve urban life for the better in the one or the other area – for single people, groups of people, communities or a whole city. "

Hope this helps,

Manny

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2. ALSO, is the “End Slate” where it fades to white and it gives you 2-3 interesting facts? Siemen wants that right?


3. I know it says not to brand Siemen, but can we use the company name “Siemen” in the end slate to explain a fact on what they’re doing in our city? Thanks

2. Yes, this is in the requirements section of the brief.

3. I’m asking…

Thanks! Glad to see interest in the contest!

Quote:

Hello.
Siemens competition dose not have such paragraph “All music, images, video footage and other content must be either originally produced by the filmmaker submitting the video, or proper permissions must be authorized by the copyright owner.”
May I use the audio file that is not at my property ??

Hi, thanks for being observant but no we can’t take any music that’s not authorized. You should have the expressed written consent of the artist or a license for any music.

Thanks,

Manny

Quote:

Hi, thanks for being observant but no we can’t take any music that’s not authorized. You should have the expressed written consent of the artist or a license for any music.

Thanks,

Manny

Ok. This is not good, but OK. So, may I use a classical music for example Mozart’s music or Wagner’s or Beethoven’s (as I know this type of music can be used freely) ??

How strict are they going to be with showing brands or company names? Lets say I show a car with a Honda or BMW logo/brand etc. or a Gas stations company name?

can i present my video as an animation?

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How strict are they going to be with showing brands or company names? Lets say I show a car with a Honda or BMW logo/brand etc. or a Gas stations company name?

Very, we shouldn’t show any logos.

Thanks for the question!

Quote:

can i present my video as an animation?

Yes you can create an animated movie.

Thanks!

Do you have actor and location releases that we should use?

We do have talent releases.

I’ve uploaded them here

We do not have location release forms, however. You’ll have to search for those online.

Thanks!

Manny

Question 1: Say I`m using music/sound effects that are included in the software I use. Do I just list the software name when entering my video?

Question 2: One of my biggest fears of entering this video is that if I win any of the cash prizes they won`t get sent to me. Is this highly likely?

Another question. If I use any actors, what are the requirements for notifying Zooppa when I send my video in? The same question for the location I use in the video also.

Quote:

Question 1: Say I`m using music/sound effects that are included in the software I use. Do I just list the software name when entering my video?

Question 2: One of my biggest fears of entering this video is that if I win any of the cash prizes they won`t get sent to me. Is this highly likely?

Another question. If I use any actors, what are the requirements for notifying Zooppa when I send my video in? The same question for the location I use in the video also.

1. It’d be great if you could explain the origin of the music in the description field.
2. No that’s not likely. If you do win you have to fill out 2 forms that will be emailed to you, or you can get them from the winner materials page. Link in the footer of our website. It typically takes 30-60 days to get your award out to you after we receive these documents. Be sure to sign them!
3. You’ll find a post in this thread by me that links to a Zooppa talent release. You should fill these out by each actor and submit to zooppa.usa@zooppa.com.

Thanks!