Mini Movie Fest

(preview and download pdf here)

INTRODUCTION

Purpose
The purpose of this user guide is to explain the steps necessary to facilitate and host a Mini Movie Fest. Through a loose set of instructions and anecdotal commentary, we intend that users in diverse locations with varied resources be able to organize and execute this event. Though this guide attempts to provide a logical framework for realizing a Mini Movie Fest, the components and ideas presented can be expanded and modified to fit individual user needs.

What is a Mini Movie Fest?
A Mini Movie Fest is an event for screening a selection of Mini Movies before a live audience. Event organizers secure facilities, solicit entries and promote the event to provide an evening of entertainment for a group of people. The Mini Movie Fest attempts to place or give a home to these films outside of private collections.

The relative ease of creating and presenting Mini Movies (compared to mainstream film and television) makes it possible for a Mini Movie Fest to provide a critical alternative to other forms of entertainment. The low quality, limited duration and often-candid nature of the Mini Movie can present a construction of subject and narrative resistant to commercial entertainment. As a collection of visual media from a specific group of persons, this event may also bring about certain understanding of community and place.

What is a Mini Movie?
A Mini Movie is a low quality digital film clip taken with a digital still camera, videophone, or any other device in which the creation of moving images is not the primary function. To create a Mini Movie with a digital still camera, the device must be set to the “movie” mode, frequently indicated by an icon that resembles a motion picture camera or filmstrip. Some digital still cameras offer different settings such as higher and lower resolution and faster and slower frame speed. Often formatted as a QuickTime, .mov or .avi, Mini Movies are viewable through the apparatus that produced them and a number of other output devices, such as a computer, LCD projector or television.

HOW TO ORGANIZE A MINI MOVIE FEST

Finding a space
Secure a space for presenting and viewing Mini Movies. The space may be any size, depending on available resources and the number of people expected to attend. Electricity should be accessible, as most presentation devices require a source of power. There ought to be room enough for the audience to sit or stand without obstructing a view of the Mini
Movies.
Depending on the size and makeup of the audience, it is possible to imagine a Mini Movie Fest occurring in diverse locations such as a bedroom or a movie theatre. Each location may provide a new set of meanings or associations connected to the audience and place. Organizers are encouraged to consider the location of the event in relation to the projected audience and participants. In our case we promoted the event to an art school community and consequently generated an audience limited in age, class and ethnicity.

Solicitation of participants
Solicit participants to submit Mini Movies to be shown at the event and assembled in a compilation. You can use word of mouth, telephone calls, email and public advertisement. Describe parameters for the event, including number of submissions, length and file format. Designate a place for delivering and receiving entries, which could include both a physical drop off spot and/or an email address for receiving files. It is important to inform the participants that all submissions will be part of a compilation that may be distributed by the organizers.
As discussed regarding the selection of a space, the participants’ sociological makeup can be a significant aspect of the Mini Movie Fest. Accordingly, organizers should consider whom they solicit in relation to the location of the event. We solicited college students and hence, many of the entries we received portrayed some aspect of “college life”.

Promotion
Promote the Mini Movie Fest by publicizing the time, location and description of the event. A description of the event must include a detailed definition of a Mini Movie. As with solicitation, promotion can be done through word of mouth, telephone calls, email and public advertisement.
Another interesting way of promoting a Mini Movie Fest is to host a workshop for creating Mini Movies. This will allow people who may not have access to the technology to participate in your event, while providing incentive to attend. It may also be possible to find or create a digital camera donor who would rent cameras to participants. Many communities have camera shops that provide a rental service for such equipment. Provide options for willing participants.

Presentation Devices
Obtain devices for presenting Mini Movies. Using a computer connected to an LCD projector is an effective way of presenting movies for a larger audience. If an LCD projector is not available, you can also use a television, computer screen or even an overhead projector with an LCD screen attachment. Universities, community centers and other public institutions often provide access to equipment. Some commercial establishments
may also rent equipment.

The event
On the day of the event, ready the space to receive the audience, compile all the submissions and test the viewing equipment. It is also nice to provide food and beverages of some sort.
Ideally you will have received all submissions prior to the day of the event. As we found, this does not exclude the possibility of people arriving at the event with their submissions. Allow some time before the screening begins for these participants. Depending on your interests, you may choose to present Mini Movies in a number of ways. They can be played randomly or in sequence (as a mix tape or playlist). As options for presentation, we tried compiling our entries in a video editing program and playing one after the other in single file, or opening each file and having an organizer open, play and close each one for the duration of the screening. The first option allows for tighter control of the
sequence and timing of the Mini Movies. The second permits the audience and organizers a space for commentary and feedback creating a more participatory environment.

The compilation
Make a compilation for the Mini Movie Fest. It should include all the submissions, a description of the event, the location and time and possibly some documentation. Depending on how the Mini Movies were screened, you may with to create a file containing all the entries in sequence. Regardless, a compilation must contain individual files that
can be accessed by future users in a variety of ways. Compilations should not be sold for profit. Any proceeds should cover cost of production and facilitate future events by the organizers.

Documentation
Document your Mini Movie Fest through video, photographs or any other means. We are interested in seeing how others carry out this event.

Send us any documantation: info@hideousbeast.com

(preview and download pdf here)

This is an instructional guide for building a Mini Cine. Included in this guide is an explanation of what a Mini Cine is, how to build your own Mini Cine, and possible uses for a Mini Cine.What is a Mini Cine? A Mini Cine is a device for soliciting Mini Movies in a portable fashion and can be used in conjunction with a Mini Movie Fest (MMF). Put a laptop in the back to preview Mini Movies and upload directly from a passerby. A Mini Movie is a low quality digital film clip taken with a digital still camera, videophone, or any other device in which the creation of moving images is not the primary function, and a MMF is an event for screening a selection of Mini Movies
before a live audience.

How long will it take?
Set aside one day for construction and paper mache coating. Once the design was set, this took us 4-6 hours. Allow it to dry overnight and then proceed with painting – this took another 2-3 hours. If you’re speedy you might be able to get it done quicker!

Construction Tools and Materials
Laptop Computer (with a USB jack for most recording devices to plug into), Cardboard and Newspaper (found free at a local recycle center), Acrylic paint (any quality; found at any hardware or art supply store), Glue (any kind should do), Utility Knife (cheap snap-off blade), Paint Brushes (cheap 1” brush for larger areas, small detail brush), Tape (cheap packing tape), Ruler and Strait edge, Pencil and Sketch paper, Medium size mixing bowl, Flour and Water.

Step-By-Step Visual Guide
1. Use the laptop to determine exterior length, width and height of your box. We used a 15” PowerBook for our measurements. The length should extend 8-10” beyond the laptop body (enough for somebody to squeeze their hand in and use the mouse pad). The height should be determined by looking at the laptop from an imagined viewer perspective. We simply placed the laptop on a table, stood at a logical viewer distance and measured the height of our line of sight, while considering clearance for the height of the computer and an angled ceiling. In our case 21.5”. Figuring the width of your box is a little different. We built an interior wall structure that helped mask off the screen of the laptop in the back of the Mini Cine. This meant we made the exterior width of our box 5” more than the width of the laptop, 2.5” on either side.

2. On the front of your Mini Cine create a rectangular hole for the viewing. This should be slightly wider then the screen dimension. We measured 1” from the top, 1” from either exterior side. This keeps things proportional and allows full view of the screen. To create stadium seating create a grid on your measured cardboard and cut little tabs. Attach the seating a little above the base of the box, again allowing space for the laptop to fit and hands to use the mouse pad.

3. Adding details to the architecture of the Mini Cine is a nice touch. This can take many forms. We went for the classic cinema look with a little Russian accent. A little research on cinema exteriors always fuels the imagination. Most older cinemas include a marquee and ticket booth. We even added a little side pocket for flyers that mimics a typical movie poster display (see top image). You should include access to the laptop from the front and back. We made a large flip door in the rear and two hand sized doors at the entrance.

4. After you’ve created the structure it’s time to paper mache! This is a very cheap and simple way to seal all the cracks and create an even textured coat to the Mini Cine. Making paper mache is simple. Combine flour and water in a mixing bowl to the consistency of Elmer’s glue. Lightly coat newspaper strips of different sizes and apply to the box. Once the paper is dry you’re ready to paint. Go crazy with the paint. After it dries your ready to hit the streets (see last image).

In the future our designs might include some wheels, a handle, speakers, and enterchangable marquee letters. You might add that viewing and participating is FREE! If you make a Mini Cine, please send use your experience: info@hideousbeast.com