MockSides Ultimate Filmmaker Challenge - In Review

[MockSides]

We're still saying it and will be saying it for awhile; "WOW!"

 

The MockSides UFC Screening & Award Ceremony exceeded our expectations. We were sold out and sadly, we had to turn some folks away at the door in concern with being over capacity regarding fire code . As the audience piled in, I kept mumbling the line from the movie Jaws; "We're going to need a bigger boat ...we're going to need a bigger boat".

We want to thank all the filmmakers who entered the contest and were brave enough (and crazy enough) to take on the challenge. We're also grateful for all the wonderful comments and feedback we received before and after the Screening & Award Ceremony. We are especially grateful for all participants for keeping and nurturing the spirit of good, fun and "healthy" competition.

We were so impressed with what the filmmakers were able to do in 72 hours (which we think is the perfect time for a film race). The winner of the $1000 Grand Prize and the Award for Best Short Film went to Unrendered Productions for their film "Method". Congratulations!

 

IT'S NOT OVER...

ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7th, all the films will be posted on our website's "CONTESTS" page for popular voting. Friends, fans and any site visitor can view the films and vote for their favorite. The films will remain on the site until the next contest (date TBD) and the at the end of that viewing period, the film's producer with the highest amount of popular votes will receive ONE FREE ENTRY into the next contest. 

This was our first contest and one with a fairly unique concept, so we knew going into it that it would be far from perfect.  As we were challenging the filmmakers to their craft, we were also faced with some challenges of our own. We expect the filmmakers, their crew and actors to learn from their experience and strive toward perfecting their craft. We as contest organizers, also have to face the challenges that come with the execution of this type of event. Chad and I have learned a lot about what works and was does not and will be making some changes. We promise to strive to make future contests better, smoother and even more exciting!

 

Chad and I will be taking a "mental vacation" from The MockSides UFC for about a week or so, then we will sit down and start to hammer out the next contest (coming soon). There will be some modification to rules, new twists to the format, possible additions to screenings and presentations, and with interest from potential sponsors, we will likely be offering more prizes and award categories.We will also be launching a new "social network" site (likely a NING platform like this one) which will become the home of the MockSides UFL (Ultimate Filmmaker League) (unless someone has a better name). This will help to centralize the contest's communications and allow for better networking. MORE ON THIS LATER

 

Again, THANKS TO ALL THE AWESOME PRODUCERS, CASTS AND CREWS for making this an awesome experience!

 

...and for the next contest, we will once again be asking, "Are you in?"

 

David Dalton

MSUFC Chief Organizer

[Ken Hendricks]

David and Chad,

You both did an awesome job putting the contest together and making it happen! Last night's Screening and Awards Ceremony was a wonderful event and a hell of a lot of fun. I am glad that I was able to attend. The movies had their ups and downs but it was amazing to see what the teams were able to accomplish within the time frame and guidelines of the contest. It was great to see such a huge turnout too. Every indie film screening in Denver should be this well attended. All in all, a job well done and this is something that the whole film community in Colorado can be proud of.

[Ken Hendricks]

Oh yeah, shouldn't the title of this post say "recrap" instead of "in review"?

 

;-)

[MockSides]

Ugh, I will not be hearing the end of that..

I will try to incorporate that word in the next write-around script.

8-)

[Jim Brennan]

I want to applaud the efforts of all the filmmakers as well.  I was very impressed with the overall quality of the films as a whole.  

I also want to recognize David and Chad's effort to not only make this a great contest, but to make last night's event such a success.  My expectations for the evening were far exceeded.  I also think that the organizers attitude about recognizing what worked well and what can be improved shows a level of commitment and professionalism that can sometimes be hard to come by. 

 

Great job all around and I am very much looking forward to the next one.

[Jennifer Wilde]

I had a great time last night and it was fun to see what all the teams did with their films.  Thanks David and Chad for putting on the event!  And yeah David, you're never living down the "recrap".  By the way, good to see you Ken, even though it was several across the room head nods while we were each talking to other people.  :)

[Haylar Garcia]

This is what Denver film should be about, HEALTHY COMPETITION and raising our own bar.

thanks for creating a vehicle for this guys, the event was awesome because our filmmakers were awesome.

 

 

[Acting Alchemy]

Well done contestants!  Thanks David & Chad!