[Reader-list] The Economist - Film Project

[rohitrellan at aol.in]

Submission Information

The Economist Film Project seeks compelling, thought-provoking,  
fact-based stories that give a broader context and explanation to the  
topic the film is exploring. Each film should have a point of view that  
inspires debate but clearly defines the nature and source of its  
argument. Films should have a complete, clear narrative arc with  
elements suited to attract a global audience.

Topics and themes to be considered can include (but are not limited to)  
economics, the environment, society, health care, human rights,  
immigration, the arts, science & technology, war, religion, politics,  
government, media, justice, cultural shifts, etc.

The Economist and PBS NewsHour will jointly approve selected films in  
their entirety in order to ensure that the films adhere to the project's  
editorial criteria, summarized below. In order to create the six to  
eight minutes of footage for each news segment, the filmmaker will be  
asked to work with PBS NewsHour producers to select content that  
complements the segment's narrative. The nature of each segment will  
vary by film, but could echo the full narrative arc of the film, feature  
several scenes linked together by narration, or highlight one  
self-contained part of the film. In any event, the segment is intended  
to leave viewers feeling that they know what the full-length film is  
about. The Economist will provide a $4,000 grant to filmmakers whose  
films are chosen to be featured on PBS NewsHour to support the editing  
process. All footage selected for airing will be subject to approval by  
The Economist and PBS NewsHour.


Editorial Criteria

The film does not necessarily need to give equal weight or time to both  
sides of an argument, but it should acknowledge countervailing views and  
provide fact-based context and explanation for its point of view.  
Sensationalist and overly polemical films will not be selected.

Films must have been produced in the past five years. Those that cover  
current events will be favored, given the news-driven focus of both PBS  
NewsHour and The Economist, but films about historical issues within the  
topic areas mentioned above will be considered if they bring up new  
evidence or viewpoints, or contain appropriate ties to more recent  
events.

Any films that are promotional in nature for a specific individual,  
company or organization will not be considered.

Complete films, not trailers or edited segments, must be submitted so  
that we product can be judged as a whole.

Profane language (as defined by FCC regulations here) will be edited as  
necessary to comply with those  
regulations.http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html

Films should be made to high standards of broadcast quality (see  
technical guidelines  
here).http://film.economist.com/submissions.php#technical
  A film made entirely using handheld devices like mobile phones, USB  
camcorders or DSLR cameras may be rejected if this results in low image  
quality, unless the filming method is a specifically stylistic choice.

The final selection of all films will be made based upon the editorial  
criteria of The Economist and PBS NewsHour or any other criteria  
determined in their sole discretion, even if not specified above.


Technical Information

We are accepting both feature-length documentaries (40-90 minutes) and  
shorts (6-40 minutes).

If a film is selected and it is longer than eight minutes, filmmakers  
will work with PBS NewsHour producers to create 6-8 minutes of footage  
for airing on PBS NewsHour. If you already have shorter versions of your  
film (but not a trailer), please submit those along with the full-length  
film for consideration.

A PBS NewsHour producer will work with filmmakers whose films are  
selected to ensure technical requirements for airing on PBS NewsHour are  
met. Filmmakers whose films are selected will receive more detailed  
information once the selection is made, but at this point filmmakers  
should know that the footage selected to air on PBS NewsHour must be  
delivered to the NewsHour on HDV, XDCam, or uploaded full resolution to  
the NewsHour FTP, or YouSendIt using .mov or mpeg4.

Films in English will be favored over foreign-language films. That said,  
films in other languages will be considered. PBS NewsHour prefers  
voice-overs to subtitles, as the NewsHour is also broadcast over radio.

PBS NewsHour broadcasts in 1080i high-end HD and optimizes its content  
for digital display at 16:9 resolution. Material that is 4:3 safe works  
best for our viewing audience.

 Films submitted for consideration can be entered in three ways:

1.Viewable online at a 3rd party site like YouTube, Vimeo, FilmBox, etc � 
 please send link to film at economist.com.
Two (2) copies of a DVD mailed to:
Electric Artists
42 Bond Street - 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10012

Encoded files such as MPEG, MOV, AVE or WMV sent to film at economist.com  
or uploaded to a file-sharing service such as Dropbox or YouSendIt.

PBS NewsHour requires complete transparency in funding of the project,  
so as part of the submission form filmmakers must provide the names of  
any current/potential underwriters/funders along with the amount of  
money each funder contributed.