Submission Process
1. Carefully review the rules and regulations.
2. Register for the competition.
3. Complete the online application to Regent University for your degree of interest.
4. Come up with a great idea. For reference material, watch past winners' videos.
5. Write. It has been said that no good script is ever written; good scripts are only ever re-written. Make sure every word helps move your story forward. Finally, have someone you trust review your script and take care to heed his or her advice.
6. Produce. Once you have a solid, well-written script, it is time to produce. What does that mean exactly?
a. You need to figure out where you are going to shoot then obtain permission to shoot in those locations. If you are in a house you need the homeowner's permission and you need to get that in writing. The same is true for any other location. You need a location permit for anywhere you will place your camera, as well as a location permit for whatever your camera sees. NOTE: This must be done before you shoot. If you cannot lock the location with the location release you will not be able to use any footage shot there if the property owner decides they do not want to sign.
b. You will need to fill out a talent release form for every person in your movie and have him or her sign it. Minors require the signatures of their parents or guardians.
c. You will need to complete an Assignment of Rights form for any music you plan to use. This form must be signed by whoever owns the rights to the music. NOTE: We will be glad to help you figure out all of the forms. This is a very important step that actually protects you as the filmmaker. We cannot accept submissions that do not have the appropriate, completed forms.
7. Direct. You have a script. You have done your planning to include completing all the paperwork. Now you can move to the fun part: directing your movie. Grab your gear, get your crew and go make that movie! Need help with lighting, sound or camera work? We have film tips provided by our faculty.
8. The next step is editing and polishing. The rules state you must write, produce and direct your project. You may choose to edit it yourself or have someone do the editing for you.
9. When your movie is finalized, burn your movie to a DVD. Please allow your movie to auto play instead of creating a menu. If your DVD plays in a standard DVD player, you may send it. If it refuses to play, find out why and please fix it. We will only accept submissions that will play in a standard DVD player.
10. You have a pile of signed forms (including the last page from the rules and regulations, which you have signed). You have your movie on a DVD. The hard parts are all done. Send everything to the following address in one envelope and await the results.
Reel Dreams/Regent University
1000 Regent University Drive COM200
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
