NEW FOR 2013! ADD A HEADER & FOOTER TO YOUR VIDEO BEFORE YOU UPLOAD:

This year, NO BULL is requiring all entries to include a “header” and a ”footer” on all video submissions. Doing this will identify your short film or PSA as a “NO BULL” video. Simply follow the below instructions to add the header and footer to your video:

1) Download both the header and footer from HERE (we have offered many different formats in case there are any discrepancies)

2) Upload both the header and footer to your project using whatever editing software you have

3) Add the header to the very beginning of your video (nothing should be before it) and add the footer to the very end of your project (nothing should be after it)

*If you have any questions or concerns about adding the header or footer, please send a message to NO BULL Nation’s Facebook page http://facebook.com/NOBULLNation, or send an email to: [email protected] 

SELECTING YOUR TOPIC:

We understand  selecting your topic is one of the most important parts about participating in the NO BULL Challenge.  It’s very likely that you’ll be able to create your video out of a personal experience that’s happened to someone you know, something you’ve heard in the media, or from something that’s happened to you.  When you/your team is selecting a NO BULL topic, make sure the majority of the video (at least 75%) is relative to the issue of digital responsibility, bullying & cyberbullying. If you’re looking for some ideas, we’ve included a few below:

✔ Bullies only do what bystanders allow…  Show your audience the power that a bystander has to end bullying
✔ Make a documentary that illustrates your NO BULL movement in your school/class
✔ Illustrate ways teens can promote digital responsibility
✔ Take back the web; using the Internet to spread a message of acceptance instead of hatred
✔ How taking the NO BULL Challenge has helped your team/student body overcome a tragedy
✔  Sticks and stones;  How words really do hurt, and why
✔  Show how cyberbullies use the Internet to attack their prey, and how the attacks can be dealt with to achieve a positive outcome
✔  How joining Team NO BULL is/has created positive change for your peers
✔  Why sexting can take a turn for the worst 
✔  Help!  Show why teens need to ask an adult for help when they’re in need
✔  Fake profiles, bash pages and hate pages; why joining in on these types of conversation can lead to serious trouble
✔  Hold a NO BULL competition in your school or class
✔  Take a cyberbully and turn him into a cyber-friend
✔  Why protecting your social network is critical, and what can happen if you don’t
✔  Use the NO BULL campaign as a way to raise funds and start an anti-cyberbullying movement, and then document your story
✔  The importance of standing up for friends when they’re being attacked online vs. standing by and watching in silence
✔  How a message going viral can rapidly turn ugly
✔  The importance of password protection and why
✔  Document the making of your NO BULL documentary
✔  How the NO BULL Challenge has raised awareness about digital responsibility within  your circle of friends/school/community and why

Once you’ve chosen your topic, think about the most effective way to present it. For example, tell a story about your own or someone else’s experience, develop a how-to demonstration, or make a music documentary!  After you know what your documentary is going to be about, you’re ready to move on to planning and scripting.

PLANNING YOUR SHOOT:

Step 1:
First you need a script. Write down what you want your characters and/or narrator to say. Pick your actors. Then describe the visuals within each shot, including camera angles. Also include any music you plan to use (be sure that you are not using anything with a copyright). Make sure your script is detailed enough so you can plan each shot — but don’t get overwhelmed with too many details.

Step 2:
Scout and select your locations. Think about where you’ll shoot each scene. Where on campus will you want to shoot? Consider which locations at your school will make the best visuals. Which are most “do-able?” Which might require getting special permission to shoot? Are they places where you can work safely?

Step 3:
Develop a storyboard.  A storyboard is a visual of what each scene will look like. The visuals can be as simple as a rough pencil sketch — just enough to give you the basic idea. In general, you should have one storyboarded frame for each scene or each time the camera angle or background changes.

Step 4:
Create a schedule.  Make sure your production team, actors and editors are all on the same page.
Chart out the time you’ll spend shooting and editing. Then — stick to the schedule!

Step 5:
Get permission and get help.  If you plan to shoot your documentary on school property or on private property, you’ll need written permission. Anyone who appears on camera and can be recognized in any manner will need to sign a Talent Release Form, If they’re under 18, their parents or legal guardians will also need to sign the form.  We recommend that you involve your teacher or your parent who’s tech savvy.  What could it hurt?  Get their input, advice and expertise and increase your chances of winning.

Step 6:
✔  Don’t do things that are unsafe

✔  When in doubt, ask an adult if what you’re planning is safe and smart

It’s just part of our job to remind you of these safety techniques just in case you forget them in your creative frenzy.

USEFUL TIPS:

Here are a few tips for making sure your shoot goes smoothly.

Positioning the Camera 

✔  You can make your shots more interesting by moving the camera around the scene.

✔  If you want a smooth, rolling shot, position your camera on something that rolls and is fairly stable, like a wheelchair.

✔  Keep the camera on a shot for at least five seconds, even if your subject exits the frame. Holding shots in this way will be a big help when you begin editing.

✔  When you finish a shot, shoot it again from another angle so you’ll have more choices when you edit. If you’re interviewing a person, always shoot “cutaways” that you can later edit into the scene to avoid long scenes of “talking heads.”

Lighting

✔  If you’re shooting outdoors, arrange people and objects to take advantage of available light. Early-morning or late-afternoon sunlight can give your video a beautiful “golden” look.

✔  If you’re shooting indoors, place a few electric lights around your subject. (Lamps with clips, which you can find at a hardware store, are especially helpful.) Try to balance out any shadows on people’s faces. Using a large piece of white foam-core can help you bounce light onto the shady part of someone’s face.

Composition 

✔  Think about what you want to convey before you frame the shot. For example, wide-angle shots show a person’s location. Use medium shots and close-ups to show someone’s expressions and emotions. You can vary your approach to scenes by using a wide, establishing shot that shows the viewer where you are, then cutting to a closer shot.

✔  Cover up any brand names and/or logos on clothing, background items, props, etc. or just use plain, generic non-branded items.

Sound

✔  Avoid shooting in locations with lots of background noise (including wind). If you hear a sound problem when you’re shooting, stop and fix it right away.

✔  In each location you use, let the mike record some silence, with no one talking or any background noise. You can use these “room tones” to bridge cuts from one scene to another when you edit.

Editing Your Video

Consider these tips as you edit your footage and put your video in final form.

✔  Use only the shots that you absolutely need to tell your story. Don’t use filler for the sake of making a longer video. Often, less is more.

✔  Use edits to set the pace. In general, the shorter your sequences and the more edits you make, the faster the pace will be. How much you move the camera also plays a part in the tempo as do music and the composition of your images.

✔  The right music helps set the mood as well as the pace. At the same time, remember that some scenes work better without music. Silence is a kind of soundtrack, too.

✔  Unfortunately, you can’t use pre-recorded or copyrighted music unless you have a Master Use and Synchronization license! But you can use royalty-free music or have friends who are musicians, create music for your video. You can even make your own with software programs on your computer.

✔  Take a break after you finish a rough edit and come back later. It helps to see things again through fresh eyes. And don’t hesitate to get feedback from others (like your parents or friends) while you’re editing. It won’t hurt — and might help the finished product.

Compressing Your Video

You’ll need to compress your video into a digital file in order to submit it online.

We can accept video files from most digital cameras and camcorders in the .wmv, .avi, .mov, and .mpg file formats.

Recommended settings:

✔  MPEG4 (Divx, Xvid) format

✔  320 x 240 resolution

✔  MP3 audio

✔  30 frames per second

We cannot accept files larger than 100mb.

Master Copy

Remember that your video could be used as a public service announcement that will air on television. When you’re shooting, try to keep your screen size at 640 X 480 and save an original master copy of your video on DVD, MiniDV or VHS. If you’re a winner, we’ll need this from you, so go ahead and do it on the front end.

Video examples:

View the 2012 winning videos here

GAME ON!  Now it’s time to let your creative juices flow, have a great time and make a difference in your school, organization or community!

For more information on important contest dates, guidelines and tips click here