30 seconds of fame?

October 28, 2003 6:18 PM

So you've "had enough" and you're talented? Well how about a possible 30 seconds of fame?
WARNING: This link deals with subjects of a political nature and may not necessarily represent the views of MetaFilter.
posted by LouReedsSon (9 comments total)

Where can one get video footage and photography that is in the public domain? Limits provide challenges, but this is a big limit.
posted by machaus at 6:26 PM on October 28, 2003

I realize this has the potential to start yet another screaming match of "your side sucks," but I also thought someone here might actually be convicted and gifted enough to create a good spot.

In that event, of course I'll expect the usual 10%! :)
posted by LouReedsSon at 6:27 PM on October 28, 2003

Limits provide challenges, but this is a big limit.

I see your point and couldn't say myself, but I guess I wasn't envisioning something that would use actual W footage, per se. Rather, I thought something on the lines of those tv ads that tell the truth about cigarettes... maybe?

Obviously I won't be entering the contest! :)
posted by LouReedsSon at 6:40 PM on October 28, 2003

Three ten-second interviews with a random sample of likely Bush voters on substantive policy issues. That ought to do nicely.
posted by PrinceValium at 7:54 PM on October 28, 2003

WooooHa! That's great! I'm loving it.

[Your 10% is in the mail, LouReed san]
posted by alicesshoe at 12:26 AM on October 29, 2003

anyone else feeling a little "ehh" about the list of judges? James Carville and Katrina Vanden Heuvel
are the definite booyahs but the rest I have to kinda go "why?" to.
posted by mcsweetie at 4:43 AM on October 29, 2003

anyone else feeling a little "ehh" about the list of judges?

But does their participation mean someone shouldn't benefit from this? I'm just hoping someone here gets their spot on tv. Good luck all to who submit.
posted by LouReedsSon at 6:33 AM on October 29, 2003

If enough entries come in, they should ditch the contest and start a cable network.
posted by VulcanMike at 9:42 AM on October 29, 2003

machus: Limits provide challenges, but this is a big limit.

Well, according to the website it looks like they want a more 'man on the street' deal. With some simple video editing I can imagine more than a few very effective ads that are more oral and literal than visual. Also, I believe audio samples from the president via the web or NPR are public domain, but I might be wrong on that.

What is keeping me, and probably others out of this is that the people with film experience/education will be miles ahead the amatuers they seem to want to attract. If rule #1 was "No one with formal experience in film or education in filmmaking/animation is allowed" then this could really turn into a great little "vox populi" experiment. I expect the winner to be a very slick and smart production, something the proles just won't be able to deliver.

Also a 4 meg quicktime is pretty limiting, if my source video isn't that hot it will just look like shit on television. So you really have to know how to format and create something for a medium that uses 640*480(or abouts) and then create a quicktime for submission. Seems like there are various barriers to entry for something they want out of "average people." I guess whoever is going to do this effectively will act out the role of a producer/director and probably have lots of experience in that role and use 'ordinary joes' as the talent.
posted by skallas at 12:36 AM on October 30, 2003