The submissions process is fairly simple compared to many festivals. Start by reading the article below and then download the submision form (the link above) Fill out the form and include the requested materials, and send the correct format. All film submissions due Nov 1st 2011.
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A filmmakers guide to the Cold Smoke Awards.
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Here at the Cold Smoke Awards we are all about innovation. Not just innovation in what is being done on snow, but innovation how films are made in the mountains.
The standard format of a rock video has been done a thousand times. We like seeing sick lines as much as the next guy, but we really love seeing films that step outside this “rock” box and explore new ways of communicating innovation in the mountains. Check out Yes to the No, the winner of the 2007 CSA, if you aren’t sure what we mean. The CSA is all about providing a platform for innovative filmmakers and athletes, amateur or professional, to showcase their work and gain exposure that traditional film festivals don’t necessarily provide.
People’s Choice
A People's Choice Tour stop in Steam Boat, CO.
The People’s Choice tour is a traveling extension of the Cold Smoke Awards. Prior to CSA ceremony in Bozeman, the People’s Choice tour embarks on a winter road trip bringing the party to a mountain town near you. Attendees to the People’s Choice viewings cast a vote on their favorite film, and the film gaining them most votes from all of the People’s Choice Tour wins the coveted People’s Choice Award in Bozeman, at the Cold Smoke Awards ceremony. It is designed to bring films submitted to the CSA, to audiences all over the Rockies. It is a great opportunity for amateur filmmakers to reach a larger audience, and promote networking among filmmakers and other talent.
New for 2012 is the Loc Award. Yet another way for amateur filmmakers to get wide spread exposure, The Loc Award is for the favorite local film. The Loc Award is determined by the most votes for a film at any single People’s Choice screening. By getting your friends to turn out at the nearest People’s Choice Tour stop you increase your odds of winning this new award.
The Awards Ceremony
Mike Basich accepts the Innovation Award
If you are nominated for an award, make sure you or an ambassador(s) attend. We aren’t opposed to making a “late in the game” decision to enforce a “must be present to win” format for some categories this year. The Cold Smoke Awards is always a kick-in-the-pants of rowdy-ass-montana-style-goodtime. Come with your crew for the day, weekend, or week. Go shred in the mountains of S.W. MT (they are always good in feb. and Bridger Bowl is opening a bunch of new terrain, and a new lift.) But most importantly, come represent your particular niche of the mountain culture here in Bozeman.
Nominated and winning filmmakers are part of the CSA show. If you win, you will have a bit of stage time and microphone, so be prepared to represent… Creative dress code a must!
Darrel Miller wins the "hairball" award
Submission Tips
Please fill out the submission form completely and include the written info we ask for. This way we wont be calling you non-stop trying to get it when all you want is to run around in the mountains.
To make sure your film will be shown in all of our venues please include a both a Quicktime file, and DVD’s with your submission. The Quicktime file is used to show all our public audiences, and should be exported with little or no compression and in the original frame size. Ideal codecs to use are Apple ProRes422, or DVCProHD.
DVD’s are used to show CSA judges, and should play in any DVD player.
Format
HD is quickly becoming the standard for many filmmakers. In the past the CSA has been strictly SD. We are making HD an option for filmmakers this year. However, our budget dosent allow us to go out and buy all the top of the line HD equipment, so bear with us, as we are doing our best to make your film look and sound as good as it can. Again, to make sure your film will be shown in all of our venues please include a regular SD DVD with your submission.
*If you want to submit on HDCAM or XDCAM consider sending a hard drive with this format, as we do not yet have decks for these formats, but can use them if they are already on a drive. We promise to return your hard drive as quickly as possible.
We have two staff filmmakers that have been working in HD for the past 4 years, and are willing to field questions regarding HD formats and equipment to the best of our ability.
Other media/media kits
Sending a media kit with your film will greatly expand your exposure to audiences and potential sponsors and collaborators. The Peoples Choice tour will be making lots of stops this year, and you should have posters, swag, photos, and other goodies on this tour for the patrons of the CSA to enjoy.
Filmmakers
Things to think about:
Run time
Less really is more. Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. Historically, shorter films have shone the brightest at the CSA. Pick the very best, the most profound, the most innovative moments of your winter to show the judges and audience of the Cold Smoke Awards.
Story
Tell a story; people will always relate to an experience even if it isn’t a “sick” one. Eventually most of the audience will become disillusioned with the same “sickness” that they probably have seen before, and have a hard time relating to without a story. Every experience however, is different and everyone can relate to that.
Music
Original and innovative music most people haven’t heard before will add to the depth of your film far more than pop music everyone has heard a hundred times and you likely don’t have rights to anyway. Mix it up.
Humor
Everyone loves to laugh, just make sure that someone who dosen’t know your buddy is going to think its funny too. Try to keep it clean, there kids and families that will see your film, whether at the CSA or in some other venue. These are the people that have money to buy your movie, but not if they are offended by it.
Thanks for reading. Please send us any tips you may have for future or present CSA participants.
