Lights!
Camera!
And a long line.
Beginning at the main stairs and reaching all the way back to the Pegasus Ballroom, University of Central Florida students lined up in the Student Union on UCF’s main campus Tuesday to receive equipment, which they will use while making a five minute film for the Campus MovieFest. They will have a week to record and edit their masterpieces for the chance to win prizes and recognition in the world’s largest student film festival.
While some students only needed a few essentials like microphones or a laptop loaded with Adobe Creative Cloud, others got the whole package including a Panasonic or LUMIX HD camera, tripods, and external hard drives.
“I do have my own equipment,” said Justin, film major, “… their equipment is more professional and I can run faster and be able to do things more quickly and proficiently.”
Over 100 teams rented equipment at Tuesday’s launch and others will be using their own equipment, according to Wey Lin, promotions manager for CMF who was helping at the launch.
Long lines persisted throughout the day Tuesday from noon right up till the last person was helped around 5 p.m.
“It’s a good sign,” said Lin in response to the large turnout. Over 300 teams in total have signed up to participate this year, according to a follow up email from Lin.
This is UCF’s tenth year with CMF. UCF is one of the largest schools to participate in the event. Other notable schools with a large presence include West Virginia, University of South Florida, and San Jose State University, according to Lin.
CMF will also be providing training and support to any participate who needs it — 24/7, for free — via phone, web, email, or social media, which can be found on campusmoviefest.com. Support reps will be on campus noon till 5 p.m. in the Student Union Sat. Jan. 23, in the Siesta Key Board Room 225. There will also be support available the day of collection Mon. Jan. 25, in front of the Pegasus Ballroom to help with any last minute editing questions, according to Lin.
Each film will be viewed by a panel of judges consisting of students, faculty and staff who will choose the top 16 films to be viewed at the Red Carpet Finale, hosted by the Campus Activity Board, Feb. 18 in the Pegasus Ballroom.
Teams who stand out in specific categories, such as documentary, acting, directing, writing, cinematography, editing, special effects, sound design, and production, will be announced Silver Tripod Winners, according to the CMF press release.
The top four of those films will be named campus Jury Award Winners, receive a 12-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud and advance to the CMF Grand Finale, a four-day celebration of creativity, workshops and awards. They will also have the chance to have their film showcased at the Cannes Film Fest, and on Virgin America’s in-flight movie, and invited to join CMF Distinguished Filmmakers Network.
“It’s awesome to be around that mind set,” said Amari Matthew, sociology major, “Everyone [has] a free mind and … just think freely. I enjoy that.”
