Does every BIAFF entrant get an award?

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loislane@alltel.net

Does every BIAFF entrant get an award?

Post by loislane@alltel.net »

DOES EVERYONE THAT ENTERS AN AMATEUR VIDEO, RECEIVE AN AWARD? WHAT IS THE
CRITERIA FOR EXAMPLE, A "BRONZE," AWARD? THANK YOU
Michael Slowe

Re: Would someone be kind enough to answer a question?

Post by Michael Slowe »

"loislane@alltel.net" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:
DOES EVERYONE THAT ENTERS AN AMATEUR VIDEO, RECEIVE AN AWARD? WHAT IS THE
CRITERIA FOR EXAMPLE, A "BRONZE," AWARD? THANK YOU
As one who has been entering films in the IAC Competition (amongst many other ones) for over 30 years I can advise that the grading of IAC entries is pretty consistant over the years which is a credit to the organisers when one thinks of the many different judges used from year to year.

The top grade is the International award from which the various other main awards (such as best documentary etc) are selected. Then in descending order of quality, according to the judges, come Gold, Silver, Bronze and Blue and no, not every entry gets an award, but quite honestly below Blue standard
means that the maker should urgently join a club and learn from other film makers how to proceed. Bronze would indicate good basic skills in planning, shooting and editing a film, but that there is scope for more "finesse" with the technical skills and probably tighter and slicker editing. The very top films not only exhibit all the technical skills (which are taken for granted at this level) but show immense imagination and originality in the treatment of the subject, be it fiction, documentary or abstract.

I hope this helps you Lois in putting your award into perspective. Others on this forum may well have their say on the matter!

Michael Slowe.
Dave Watterson

Re: Would someone be kind enough to answer a question?

Post by Dave Watterson »

DOES EVERYONE THAT ENTERS AN AMATEUR VIDEO, RECEIVE AN AWARD? WHAT IS THE
CRITERIA FOR EXAMPLE, A "BRONZE," AWARD?
Everyone gets something in the IAC competition because each entrant receives a certificate indicating a standard of work and notes on their film made by the judges which should help them do even better in future. If you are there in person you can collect these at the festival, otherwise they will be sent on to you.

The first stage judging is really a benchmarking exercise sorting out entries into levels of ability and the very best of those go on to the final stage for the top awards.

The starting point is a Certificate of Entry. This is the equivalent of getting a mark for writing your name at the top of an exam paper. I do not think any of these have been issued for some years.

BLUE STANDARD - the movie has one or two things right and shows signs of possible improvement. Judges also recognise that by making a movie - chopping out the duff bits and trying to make it into something more the film maker has done more than the vast majority of camcorder users will ever do. That earns admiration. Having the guts to enter in a competition ... that earns respect. We always hope that someone with a BLUE one year will return the next to win a Bronze or above.

BRONZE STANDARD - the movie is really coming together though there may be some faults. This is the highest standard which all but the most dedicated and talented entrants can hope to achieve. Since movie making encompasses so many different skills it is a very demanding hobby. Reaching BRONZE standard
is something to be proud of. Many club and interclub comps are won by Bronze standard movies.

SILVER STANDARD - you can always nitpick, but this level of movie is virtually perfect in craftsmanship and technique. It represents very high standards which is why anyone who has won two SILVER awards can apply for the distinction of Licentiate of the IAC and become entitled to use the letters LACI after their name.
There is a catch ... we have probably all seen perfectly made but deadly dull movies. They may be SILVER.

GOLD STANDARD - where the focus is on the movie itself not the craft behind it. These are the movies which engage your attention, make you worry about the heroes, fascinate you with the wonders they reveal, make you laugh, cry, grow furious or feel awe. They are terrific movies.

The final judges look only at Gold Standard movies and choose which should receive special prizes.

BTW - the awards were known for many years as "Blue Seal", "Bronze Seal" and so on because the certificates had coloured seals stuck onto them. The supply of seals has come to an end so we now call them Blue Standard, Bronze Standard etc.

Finally - some competitions still use the "Olympic" style method of giving the best film in the festival Gold, second best Silver and third best Bronze. So watch it ...

In 2003 one entrant in the Cotswold International Festival was surprised to receive a special letter saying their movie had won bronze. Since it had received a Silver Standard at the IAC a few months earlier they were not impressed ... until they realised that for the Cotswold Festival Bronze meant their film had won third prize - a high honour indeed. The film was "Night of the Full Moon" and the delighted director was Ken
McRonald.

Dave
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