Movie competition prods cell phone owners to become short-film makers
22/2/2006 10:20
Shanghai Daily news
Lights, cell phone, action! A local Website is organizing a nationwide
film festival with a difference - all of the movies are supposed to be made
using cameras embedded in cell phones. The site expects office workers in
Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou to produce most of the movies. The Website
(www.metroer) kicked off the competition on
Monday and will accept entries until April. The contest is open to anyone who
can produce a short film and send it to the site by mobile phone. The films must
be two minutes long or shorter, and must be original works that haven't been
shown in competition. Those without cameras on their phones can make films
with digital cameras as long as they submit them to the site by phone. "There
are no restrictions on a participant's age, qualifications or the style of the
films, but they shouldn't have any illegal content," said Wendy Zhang, a
spokesperson for the Website. "Paris and London have held similar competitions
previously." Two phone-wielding directors had already submitted films into
the competition as of yesterday, mainly about office and urban life. The
Website will hand out five awards, a top prize, second prize, and awards for
best director, best technology, and best cinematography. The public and
professional filmmakers will vote on the winners, who are expected to receive
cell phones as prizes. Younger He, who works for a consulting company in the
city, heard about the competition yesterday and already has plans to take part
in. "I visit the Website sometimes. Shooting such a film would be fun and
relaxing. It's just like digital video, which I am fond of," He said. "I plan to
shoot a film about local women, who are fashionable and
interesting." Filmmakers said using cell phones is a great way to make a
short movie with little skill, money, and no access to professional
equipment. "It is a good way for the public to have fun," said Liu Haibo, a
teacher at Shanghai University's School of Film and Television
Technology. The Website was set up last June by a film director, a Webpage
designer, a computer geek and an employee who works in Plaza 66 in an attempt to
build a community among white-collar workers along Nanjing Road in downtown
Shanghai.
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