FOCUS to host world premiere of super 8 shootout online

World premiere of straight 8 shootout online #2 at FOCUS announced

straight 8 – the global one-super-8-cartridge-no-editing film challenge – announces that its next ‘shootout’: a chance for creative companies worldwide to compete for charity with a new super 8 short film, made entirely in-camera, will premiere online live from FOCUS The Meeting Place for International Production, London. Tuesday December 3rd 2019.

Clara Le, Commercial Director, FOCUS Show Ltd & The Location Guide “We are thrilled to be partnering with straight 8 for the first time. As long-term fans of the shootout, it is a pleasure to host the next world premiere at our December show. The online shootout is another amazing way to showcase creative talents from across the global industry, so what event is more fitting for this premiere than FOCUS, the meeting place for international production?”

A limited number of companies are allowed to compete. It’s first come first served. Once entered, they have until November 22nd to deliver their exposed but un-processed cartridge of film to Cinelab London.

Any kind of creative company is invited to rise to the straight 8 shootout challenge: to make a 2.5 minute short film created entirely in-camera on just one cartridge of super 8mm film. Every shot is taken in story order, with no opportunity for re-takes or editing. Any visual effects, colouring and titling must be done the old-fashioned way: as part of the shoot, with the camera. Super 8 doesn’t record sound, so soundtracks are made ‘blind’ and must be original. Entrants send their exposed but un-developed film cartridges to straight 8 partners Cinelab London who will process and scan the films. straight 8 will then line up each soundtrack with the first frame of the film. It’s that ‘simple’.

The creative brief: what do you want to do with 2.5 minutes of screen time to impress your colleagues, competitors and friends who’ll be watching your film when you do? Because the most thrilling part is that the first time anyone sees even their own work – no matter how, or even if, it came out – is at the premiere which in this case is live online, with the world watching! During the live stream, entered companies will cast their votes, not voting for their own film and the winners will be announced. As well as earning an iconic camera trophy made by shootout partners, Machine Shop, they get to donate prize money to the charities of their choice.

Any creative company with the bravado required is welcome and it’s strictly first come first served. All entry details are at: www.straight8.net/shootout-online.

Key dates:
NOW: check the rules, plan your film and get permission from your company to pay the entry fee… all info at: www.straight8.net/shootout-online.
ASAP: enter before the places run out, by buying entry on the link above.
NOV 22ND: film delivery deadline (London). No extensions.
NOV 29TH: sound delivery deadline (online link).
DEC 3RD: global premiere – live online – including winner announcement.

Shootout Background:
Since launching straight 8 shootout in 2016 with APA London and Cinelab London, its success has been proven at four Cannes premieres, at Ciclope, and Adfest. straight 8 shootout online #1 took place December 2018 and saw entering companies in USA, Canada, Argentina, London, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Tokyo tuning in to see their work online at 2pm GMT, which was 6am PST and 11pm in Tokyo. Many top creative companies from around the world have now risen to straight 8’s shootout challenge. See all of the companies who’ve ever entered and the charities who’ve benefited to date, at straight8.net/shootout

Steve Davies, Chief Executive, APA London: “straight 8 is the most fun filmmaking competition for companies. Watching the films with the filmmakers who haven’t seen them either is compelling- they might be great, and often are, but if they aren’t, it’s only a couple of minutes and you’re on to the next one! The online version is even more exciting as there’s no knowing how many people are tuning in.”