Interlude - 2010 Star Wars Fanfilm Challenge Predictions
July 27th, 2010
Alright, I did this for the Dr.Horrible Evil League of Evil Contest and was WAY off. Let’s see how I do here.
The Star Wars Fanfilm Challenge is almost done. The finalists are chosen, and George will soon be forced to sit down and watch them all (poor bugger). The awards will take place at the Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando in a few weeks. Not only will George Lucas himself be at the Celebration, but so will Jon Stewart (yes, the very same Jon Stewart that played the reporter on the Groundhog Day episode of “Jack’s big Music Show”).
What was I talking about again? Oh yeah.
As it’s clearly on my mind, I’ve scrounged up some predictions. I’ve tried (and failed) to avoid personal bias, but here’s some educated guesses from what I know about Atom and what I know about Mr. Lucas.
BEST ANIMATED and AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS:
This one is a straight up shoe in. It’s great work. Well crafted, well written, and the guy they got to do 1977 Harrison Ford’s voice is bloody amazing. Here’s the problem. I was all over this video when it showed up on the SW Challenge group. It’s from an entire CG school. The credits list over two dozen animators and a handful of instructors. Then I found out it was entered in the contest and the mixed feelings crept in. Sure, I hate losing (which has got to have a ton to do with it), but the fact is, if I was any more professional at video production (which is to say at all), I’d be uncomfortable entering things like this. If it was cool for the high end semi-pro crowd, then why isn’t AT-AT Day Afternoon in the Challenge? That short would have cleaned up in this thing.
Anyway, nobody likes a whiner, so moving right along.
BEST ACTION AWARD:
A trailer for a full length feature to be shown at the Celebration. Lots of cool camera work and great effects. It almost beats out my ooginess over serious fanfilm productions. They spent an awful long time on their feature, and it certainly shows. The other thing is just the high end semi pro thing, but they’re actually from Orlando, so the whole Celebration should be incredible for them.
There’s a couple of other really nice serious dramatic entries, but they’re far too long. They’ve been pretty clear that they want under 10 minutes on these things, and I’m betting George prefers under five.
BEST COMEDY AWARD:
I know there’s that Rock Trooper short in there, but it’s CG is far too professional, and it’s just not as funny as this short and sweet little number. This one gets a smile out of me. The mix of Look Who’s Talking and the Robot Chicken “Aluminum Falcon” sketch totally works.
BEST PARODY AWARD:
This funny little cartoon is pretty good. The District 9 and Wacky Races spoofs are pretty clever too, but I think this one edges into the lead. IG-88 taking a leak. A naked Gungan in a trunk. It’s all there.
SPIRIT OF FANDOM AWARD:
Why should my video win? Well, because I seriously want me one of those 3PO and R2 trophies, and I’ve got a shark obsessed little guy who basically needs to see Sea World.
Seriously though, I’m not sure. While ours is entertaining enough while poking subtle fun at the expanded universe, doesn’t really fit into any other category (hence, I assume, the creation of this one), and goes all Flash Gordon serials at the end, it’s not without it’s faults. It’s a little long at nearly eight minutes, and without the fight scene that’s part of the conclusion, it’s three characters trading witty banter on the holonet. I sure do like it though, and am awful proud of everyone involved. It shows some real love and respect for this fantasy world we grew up in.
GEORGE LUCAS SELECTS AWARD:
This charming as all get out and skillfully crafted short deserves to take it. The CG artwork in comic form is great and the whole thing comes together really well. To be fair to the others I’ve mentioned, I should draw attention to my problems with this short, but I don’t have any. It’s gold. Go watch it.
So, lemme know what you think. I know there’s lots of other good stuff in the Challenge. Maybe you’ve got something else in mind. G’won. Prove me wrong.
I think you have nailed this one pretty close to the way it will go down. I’m part of the team for A Light in the Darkness and have watched ALL the entries, not just the finalists. (Thank you for your vote by the way)
I’m going to agree with The Solo Adventures because it all around well done. The Dave School is also an Orlando local and this is supposed to be a student work. When I saw AT AT Day Afternoon on You Tube, I was like there is the winner, no contest. Don’t know why they aren’t entered, maybe didn’t know about it or care.
As for our film, we weren’t sure where a trailer would fit in…hope you are right this time. To be honest we haven’t been working on it all that long. Decided to do this contest at a holiday party in December 09, since then it has been a blur of rush rush rush to get it done. The full length feature is still being prepped for an August release.
I agree with your other choices, but I’m not sure about the fandom award for your film. It may be a bit too subtle and long to get the shout out and I’m still not sure what the fandom award means exactly. I think your film is hard to fit into any of the categories they have but I personally like the cliff-hanger endings. Maybe the Romanian daycare one or the notebook, but don’t see them giving them an award two years in a row.
Lucas will totally pick the kid sith, no way around it. I could maybe see the little blond Luke too, but it is probably too long for him. I liked the Lego one a lot, but nothing original there.
And audience choice award? From the plays count nobody is even close to Darth Mario (The impossible peace). Don’t know what marketing they have but apparently all of Italy has watched it! We were hoping to get in on that one because we may not fit into any of the other categories, but I don’t think we have the votes to beat them.
Any way, this has been an awesome experience so far and we are looking forward to the excitement of Celebration V. Good luck with your film and we hope to see you at there.
ps- Sea World is awesome, but you gotta go to Gatorland if you want the full “Florida”, you might get bitten experience!
Comment by Wendy Dye — July 29, 2010 @ 10:56 am
Wow. Thought you’d guys had been at it for a while. Musta got it mixed up with one of the others (pretty easy to do going through all the videos at once). Pulling off a professional feature in less than a year is VERY impressive.
I’d give you the best action award just for the slo mo lightsaber deflection imagery. Everything beyond that (and there’s lots more) is just gravy. Delicious, delicious gravy…
I also wish my last name was Dye. I could have alot of fun with a last name like that.
Comment by Pinto — July 29, 2010 @ 1:06 pm
And don’t even get me started about the views for The Impossible Peace. There’s only about 50K people in Brandon, MB where we’re from, and a hell of alot less computers.
I’ve never been fond of the nature of social marketing contests. They very quickly become about something other than the entertainment value of the work.
Comment by Pinto — July 29, 2010 @ 1:28 pm