Pitchin'

A PITCHer’s worth $5000 bucks with Charles Street Video



Do you have a brilliant idea for a short?  A saavy mouth?  A will to win?  Well, if your repertoire is missing that touch of tongue, this is the workshop for you.  This year, Charles Street Video will award $5000* worth of High Definition equipment and post-production services towards one lucky pitcher’s next short!  Five pre-selected applicants will perform live pitches, and gain immediate feedback from a panel of experts. Come learn how to perfect the art of pitching; what the funders want to hear, and all the Dos and Don’ts of selling your film idea.

*The $5000 in-kind prize amounts to a $20 000 value at Industry rental rates!

To qualify as a Pitch participant, please read the complete guidelines below and fill out the application form

Send your application by email to: 
wsffsymposium@cfccreates.com,
RE: WSFF SYMPOSIUM PITCH APPLICATION 2007
The deadline for applications is Monday May 21, before 6pm.

DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL MONDAY MAY 28, before 6pm!!!

Charles Street Video (“CSV”) is a non-profit production organization established in 1981 to help support media artists. CSV provides affordable access to equipment and programs for creating videos, films and other media art forms. The facility offers regular workshops, training sessions and residencies. CSV also commissions artists to create new works and in recent years, has sponsored numerous production programs and scholarships designed specifically for young people. The facility also actively participates in local exhibitions of media art through partnerships with grassroots festivals and other arts organizations.

Criteria

1. Students are ineligible. The residency is not open to staff or board members at Charles Street Video or the Worldwide Short Film Festival.
2. Films must feature the theme of cultural diversity and/or cultural identity. 
3. Film projects can be at any stage of production, whether development, production or post-production.
4. Finished films cannot exceed 4 minutes.
5. Films can be dramas, documentaries or experimental.

Application

Please download application form here
(Note: exceeding the number of requested pages may disqualify you from the contest)
Each application must include:

• A completed Pitch application form.
• 1 page detailed description of the project
• 1 page Resume and/or Production Credits of applicant(s).  If the project is a collaboration, CV’s for both artists must be included.
• 1 page detailed Budget Summary that includes all sources of funding (if any), confirmed and pending. The expense and revenues of your budget must balance.
• Letters of agreement from key personnel (if applicable), including rights to an adapted work (i.e. short story), or music, if integral to the film.
• Copies of any contracts and/or letters of agreement from confirmed revenue sources (if any).

Assessment Criteria

The applications and pitch are assessed according to the following criteria:

• originality
• clarity and creativity demonstrated in pitch session.
• financial viability
• demonstrated ability to complete the project within the allotted time frame.

Pitch Session Guidelines

1. Selected participants must be available for a half-day Pitching Workshop one week prior to the Pitch session (Friday June 8th, 9:30-11:30am) as well as the A PITCHer’s Worth $5000 bucks seminar on Saturday June 16, 9:30-11:30am at Emmanuel College, 75 Queen’s Park Circle, University of Toronto campus.  While the contest is open to all Canadian residents, it is the participant’s sole responsibility to be available to attend. CSV and WSFF are not responsible for travel, accommodations or visas.
2. Pitching teams can use pre-recorded audio and/or videotape in their 5-minute presentation.
3. Reading from written notes is not allowed.
4. A pitch team can consist of a maximum of 2 people.
5. A pitch team must demonstrate its relevance to the theme of diversity and cultural identity.

Pitch Award

The prize package will include the following services:
Note: All in kind awards will be billed at CSV Artist Rates

• a one-year membership at Charles Street Video, valid as of the first day of the residency period. For residents who are currently members, memberships will be extended by one year.
• a maximum of $700 in production equipment rentals.
• a maximum of $3,500 in post-production access. For more information about Charles Street Video facilities, visit CSV’s web site at http://www.charlesstreetvideo.com.
• a $300 materials credit. This credit will help cover the cost of video/audio stock or computer media. Unused credit amounts will not be issued in cash or materials.
• a $300 artists' fee.
• Up to $500 in travel credit. This credit will allow non-Toronto residents to participate. Unused credit amounts will not be issued in cash or materials. Transportation receipts must be provided
• Unused credit amounts will not be issued in cash or materials.
• A free one-day workshop on Final Cut Pro or Avid Express.
• Subject to availability, residents may have limited access to office computer equipment for purposes directly related to their projects. Access will be determined in consultation with the office during the residency.
• The entry fee for the WSFF 2008 festival will be waived for the winning pitcher’s completed film.  (a signed entry form must still be submitted, and the fee area marked FEE WAIVED: PITCH 2007) The film will be reviewed by the 2008 Canadian Committee and programmers, and, if accepted, will screen as part of the Official Selection or appropriate Specialty Programming of the festival.  Otherwise, it will be presented at the Award Winner’s Screening on the last Sunday of the festival.  If the film exceeds 4 minutes, the Festival’s discretion will apply as to whether it will screen.

Please visit the Charles Street Video website to read more about services and the Residents’ Responsibilities.