Launched in 2014, the Røde Microphones My Røde Reel international short film competition is to run in 2015 with an increased total prize pool of more than Aus$200,000. The inaugural competition saw Røde receive 1,120 entries from 76 countries worldwide, with nine category winners sharing a prize pool of more than Aus$70,000, making it the largest short film competition of its kind.
Entrants are required to create a short film of three minutes or less, as well as a behind-the-scenes reel that features a Røde product being used during the production of the film. Røde has provided an entry pack that steps through the process, as well as templates for scripting, storyboarding and more, available now by registering at the company’s website.
There are three main awards and prize packs of filmmaking gear available to win – a Judges’ Film Award for the best short film in competition, a Judges’ BTS Award for the best behind-the-scenes reel and a publicly voted People’s Choice Award for the most popular short film. Each of these award winners will be presented with an enviable production filmmaking kit. Additional technical and genre awards and prize packs are available for Best Sound Design, Best Soundtrack and more, and for the first time in 2015 Røde has announced a Young Filmmaker Award, to acknowledge and encourage entrants under the age of 18.
Joining the list of sponsors are Atomos and Freefly Systems, supplying Shogun 4K RAW Recorder and Movi M5 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer respectively to multiple prize packs. They join BlackMagic, Carl Zeiss lenses, Miller tripods, RedRock Micro rigs, SmallHD and Teradek monitoring equipment, Kessler sliders and jibs, ThinkTank Photo bags, Event studio monitors, G-Technology storage solutions, software from Adobe and RedGiant, licencing credit from The Music Bed and Film Supply, and of course plenty of Røde microphones.
Once again, Røde has brought together a respected judging panel for ‘My Røde Reel’ that includes inspirational pioneer filmmaker Philip Bloom, Ryan Connolly, Vincent LaForet and Rodney Charters.
‘Last year’s My Røde Reel was really one of the best film competitions I have ever judged.’ says pioneer filmmaker Philip Bloom, who serves as on of the competition judbges. ‘The calibre of entries from all over the world was superb. I can’t wait to see what we get this year, it’s going to be even better I am sure.’
Røde has put together its own short film plus a complete series of behind the scenes tutorials to highlight the production process. Hosted by filmmaker Clinton Harn and the Røde Production team, the course guides viewers through the filmmaking process from pre-production through to shooting and on to postproduction.
Entries for My Røde Reel are open until 1 June. All entrants will receive a 2015 My Røde Reel Directors T-shirt, and a free subscription to Hollywood DP Shane Hurlbut’s Inner Circle online community.
More: www.myrodereel.com
