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Teen Movie Terms

 

Teen Movie Contest

 

Sponsor:  Issa Rae Productions, Inc. doing business as Color Creative, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 (also referred to as “Color Creative”)

 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. 

 

CONTEST IS OFFERED ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES. 

 

By participating in the Contest, you agree to these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and the Judging Panel, which are final and binding in all respects.  

 

  1. Eligibility. Open only to legal U.S. residents, who are at least 18 (or age of majority in jurisdiction of residence, whichever is older.) The following persons are NOT eligible: employees of Issa Rae Productions, Inc. doing business as Color Creative, Powderkeg Media, their respective parent and affiliated companies and agencies; other persons/entities in any way associated with the Contest; the immediate families of such employees/persons/entities; professional writers (members of Writers Guild of America or persons who provided staff writing services for a television series or motion picture.)

 

  1. Contest Objective.  An idea for a new, original, short film with a running time of no more than forty [40] minutes in length including credits, as opposed to a feature film (which is not an update/ “re-boot,” prequel or sequel of an existing motion picture) (“Film”) specifically tailored to a teenaged audience (generally, ages 13 -18) which captures the humor, awkwardness and drama of today’s high school experience in the U.S. The Film should resonate with a broad cross-section of today’s U.S. high school students regardless of their race, religion, gender identification, sexual orientation, ethnicity or national origin. Film must be a work of fiction; however, it may be loosely based on reality.

 

  1. How To Enter.  Beginning 7/15/2019 at 12:00 a.m. PT, go to http://www.cocre.tv/teenmovie.  Complete entry form with the required contact information,* a brief bio (a curriculum vitae), of no more than two hundred-fifty (250) words (that is, [1] double-spaced page), setting forth your education and relevant experience, as well as an overview of your Film idea. The overview cannot exceed 500 words (no more than [2] double-spaced pages) and must include a plot summary, the protagonist and other main characters, and the genre.  

 

Check all required boxes (including your agreement to these Official Rules) and click “Submit.” Entry form, bio and Film overview must be submitted together.  All entries must be received by 8/9/2019 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

 

If participating via mobile device, message and data rates may apply. 

 

*Your contact information will only be used for Contest administration and will not be used for any other purposes without your prior written consent. 

 

  1. Restrictions on Entry. 

 

  1. In General.  One (1) Entry/Film overview per person. Group or team entries will not be accepted.  Automated/programmed means of participation are void. Once submitted, Entry cannot be changed or supplemented (with the sole exception of bio, in the case of Quarter-Finalist; see below).. Any acknowledgment of receipt of Entry is not binding upon Sponsor. Any dispute as to identity of Entrant will be resolved by Sponsor in its sole discretion.

 

  1. Content. Entry/Film overview (as well as partial, “first act” Script, full Script and Final ScriptΩ, if and as applicable) must (i) be solely the original work of Entrant; (ii) not violate third party rights, including copyright; (iii) be suitable for a teenaged audience with a projected MPAA rating of PG or PG13 and not inappropriate, hateful or offensive; (iv) not disparage or insult Sponsor, Powderkeg Media or their respective officers/directors (v) not have been published or submitted to another competition/contest; or (vi) encourage, glorify or advocate alcohol/drug use, gratuitous violence, dangerous stunts, or illegal conduct of any kind. 

 

{Ω Script is also referred to herein as “Short Film” Script.}

 

  1. Ownership & Other Rights In Entry.  Entrant owns his/her Entry (as well as partial, “first act” Script, full Script and Final Script, if and as applicable; hereafter, “Entry/Scripts”) and grants to Sponsor and its designees (including Powderkeg Media) a non-exclusive, revocable, worldwide, time-limited, royalty-free (without compensation) and non-transferable/non-sublicensable right and license to use, perform, exhibit, reproduce and/or otherwise exploit his/her Entry/Scripts in any manner and in any and all distribution channels, venues or media now known or hereafter developed. Failure to exercise the above right/license will not result in liability to Sponsor and its designees. Entrant further agrees (i) to waive any “moral rights of authors” in his/her Entry/Scripts and to sign any and all documents relative to his/her Entry/Scripts, without compensation; (ii) that Sponsor and its designees have no duty of confidence relative to his/her Entry/Scripts and (iii) Sponsor and its designees receive literary/artistic materials from other sources and such materials may be similar or identical to his/her Entry/Scripts and Sponsor and its designees shall have no liability for same. If Entrant is a prize winner, the above is inapplicable to him/her and superseded by the agreements signed by prize winner; see Rule 9.  

 

  1. Initial Judging Round.  A judging panel (comprised of representatives of Sponsor and Powderkeg Media) will review all eligible Entries and select the top fifty (50) Entries as Qualifiers† based on the following, equally weighted criteria:  

 

  • Creativity and originality of idea for Film
  • Strength of overview of Film as expression of Entrant’s writing skill 
  • Projected appeal of Film to a broad cross-section of U.S. teenagers regardless of background

 

In selecting Qualifiers, the judging panel will also take into account the entrant’s bio.

 

Qualifiers will be notified on/about 9/9/2019.

 

  1. Advanced Rounds: Structure.

 

 

  • Qualifier Round: Qualifiers submit a partial Script with the first “act” of their Film, which must be received by 9/30/2019 or Qualifier may be disqualified. Partial, first “act” Script can be no longer than thirty [30] pages^ and must be consistent with and build upon the overview for Film as communicated in one’s Entry.  (20) Quarter-Finalists will be notified on/about 10/21/2019. †

 

 

 

  • Quarter-Finalist Round:  Quarter-Finalists submit a full Script of their Film (i.e., first “act” together with the remaining “acts” of Film) which must be received by 11/18/2019 or Quarter-Finalist may be disqualified. Full script can be no longer than one hundred-twenty [120] pages^ and must be consistent with and build upon the overview for Film and the partial, first “act” Script. In addition, Quarter-Finalist must expand upon the bio included as part of his/her initial entry; this extended, enhanced bio cannot exceed two hundred-fifty (250) words (that is, [1] double-spaced page). (8) Semi-Finalists will be notified on/about 12/18/2019.†

 

 

^Partial, first “act” Script and full Script must be presented in the industry-standard format for screenplays. For more information about the acceptable screenplay format, go to http://www.cocre.tv/teenmovie. 

 

 

  • Semi-Finalist Round: Semi-Finalists will engage in an interview with the Judging Panel to discuss their Film (including partial, first “act” Script and/or full Script.) Interviews will be scheduled 1/6/2020 – 1/10/2020. An interview will last for approximately thirty (30) minutes and may be conducted via video chat or telephone call in Sponsor’s sole discretion. (If Semi-Finalist does not have access to appropriate technology for video chat, interview will be conducted via telephone.) Failure to participate in interview or inappropriate conduct during interview will result in automatic disqualification.  (4) Finalists will be notified on/about 1/13/2019. †

 

 

 

  • Finalist Round:   Sponsor will pair each Finalist with a Mentor to further develop their full Script into a Short Film script. The specific Mentor assigned to a given Finalist will be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion; the assigned Mentor cannot be changed except in Sponsor’s sole discretion due to irreconcilable differences between Mentor and Finalist or other extenuating circumstances. Mentors are all accomplished motion picture industry professionals with similar credentials and experience. Between 1/13/2019 and 2/3/2019, each Finalist will have at least one [1] session with their Mentor, which will last approximately sixty (60) minutes. (Mentor, in consultation with Sponsor, will determine whether additional session[s] is necessary so as to complete Short Film script development.) The session(s) will take place in-person at a mutually agreeable location near Finalist’s residence or via video chat or telephone call. The session(s) will result in the creation of a final work product; i.e., a Final Short Film Script for filming purposes. Failure to attend the required session with Mentor or inappropriate conduct during session(s) will result in automatic disqualification. (2) Prize Winners will be notified on/about 2/18/2019.  

 

 

†Sponsor may, without notice or liability of any kind, select fewer than the indicated number of Qualifiers, Quarter-Finalists, Semi-Finalists or Finalists.

 

 

  • Judging:  Judging panel will be comprised of representatives of Sponsor and Powderkeg Media.  For the Qualifier Round, Qualifiers’ partial, first “act” Scripts will be reviewed (and Quarter-Finalists selected) based on creativity/originality, projected appeal of Film to a broad cross-section of U.S. teenagers regardless of background, and degree of interest (or “hook”) generated in the Film by the partial Script. For the Quarter-Finalist Round, Quarter-Finalists’ full Scripts will be reviewed based on creativity/originality, projected appeal of Film to a broad cross-section of U.S. teenagers regardless of background plus the degree to which the full Script augments and expounds upon the first “act” of Film (as communicated in partial Script). The judging panel will also take into account the Quarter-Finalist’s extended bio.   For the Semi-Finalist Round, Semi-Finalists’ full Scripts will be reviewed (and Finalists selected) based on creativity/originality, projected appeal of Film to a broad cross-section of U.S. teenagers regardless of background plus the persuasiveness of Semi-Finalist’s belief in his/her Film (as communicated during the interview). For the Finalist Round, Finalists’ Final Scripts will be reviewed (and Winners selected) based creativity/originality, projected appeal of Film to a broad cross-section of U.S. teenagers regardless of background plus the overall strength of the Final Script (including as compared to full Script). In all Rounds, all criteria will be weighted equally.  

 

 

  1. Notification. Notification will be effected via e-mail. If an individual cannot be contacted for any reason, he/she may be disqualified. Semi-Finalist must complete, sign and return the Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release and Publicity Release (where lawful) prior to interview or he/she may be disqualified. Should an individual be disqualified, the opportunity to further compete in the Contest will be forfeited and Sponsor and its designees shall not have any liability of any kind. Should a Qualifier be disqualified, no alternate replacement will be selected. If a Quarter-Finalist, Semi-Finalist, Finalist or a Prize Winner is disqualified, an alternate may be selected in Sponsor’s sole discretion; and, should Sponsor elect to do so, an alternate shall be selected in accordance with the applicable subsection of Rule 7 above.

 

  1. Prize.

 

Prizes (2) – Color Creative will, working separately with each Prize Winner, develop, write and produce a short film based on the Prize Winner’s Final Script. The prize has no retail value (with the possible exception of the stipend; see below). 

 

The relationship between Prize Winner and Color Creative will be governed by certain additional agreements. In addition:

 

  • Prize Winner will not receive any compensation/royalty/payment in conjunction with any use of his/her Final Script; and 
  • Prize Winner must provide in-person services on location in Los Angeles, California or in another city/town as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion (“Filming Location”) for approximately thirty [30] days in Summer 2020, for the writing/production/development of the short film. (Actual dates of filming will be provided by Sponsor no later than time of winner notification.) Prize acceptance will likely require winner to take a leave of absence from his/her current employment or education- the writing/production/development of short film will require the primary (if not exclusive) attention of Prize Winner for the indicated period. DO NOT ENTER THE CONTEST IF THIS CONDITION ON PRIZE AWARD IS INFEASIBLE OR OTHERWISE UNACCEPTABLE TO YOU FOR ANY REASON.   

 

COLOR CREATIVE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND THAT EITHER PRIZE WINNER’S SHORT FILM  WILL BE DISTRIBUTED OR MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING; AND, THE FAILURE TO DO SO WILL NOT RESULT IN ANY LIABILITY TO COLOR CREATIVE. 

 

No prize substitution; no prize transfer. All unspecified expenses are Prize Winner’s sole responsibility. But, if Prize Winner lives more than (50) miles from Filming Location (as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion), he/she will receive a stipend of $2500. If stipend is awarded as a gift card, Sponsor shall determine in its sole discretion the issuer of same and the gift card will be subject to the terms and conditions of use as indicated thereon.  All applicable taxes on Prize, as well as any governmental reporting obligations are Prize Winner’s sole responsibility. Prize Winners are independent contractors — NOT employees – of Color Creative.

 

(Finalists who do not win a prize will not receive any compensation from Sponsor.)

 

 

  • Releases. Where legal, by participating, Entrant agrees to use of his/her name, likeness, photo, and other indicia of his/her persona for advertising/publicity/trade purposes by Sponsor and its designees without compensation or notice.   By participating, entrant indemnifies, releases and agrees to hold harmless Issa Rae Productions, Inc. doing business as Color Creative; Powderkeg Media; their respective parent companies, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries or agencies; the directors, officers, agents, representatives, shareholders, employees, successors and assigns of any of the above organizations; as well as Facebook, Inc./Instagram and Twitter, Inc. from any and all liability arising from his/her participation in the Contest, Contest-related activities, and/or his/her acceptance, possession, receipt or use/misuse of prize (if applicable.) The preceding expressly includes but is not limited to the alleged or actual violation of third party rights in conjunction with one’s Entry/Film overview (and/or partial, “first act” Script,  full script and/or Final Script, to the extent applicable). The promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

 

 

 

  • Limitations of Liability.  

 

 

 

  • Sponsor and its designees assume no responsibility for (i)  late, lost, garbled, incomplete, inaccessible/blocked, corrupted, misdirected, delayed or damaged Entries/Scripts, bios, participation in the Semi-Finalist Round interview or session(s) with Mentor (as applicable), regardless of cause (all of which are void); (ii) any incomplete or inaccurate information on any website or elsewhere, regardless of cause;  (iii) any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of any web site, Entries/Scripts, bios and/or participation in the Semi-Finalist Round interview or session(s) with Mentor (as applicable); and (iv) any other technological, programming, electronic or like malfunction, failure or error of any kind. Entrant bears sole responsibility for submission of Entry and submission of Contest materials/participation in additional Round(s) of Contest, as applicable.

 

 

 

  • Entrants and Quarter-Finalists agree to Sponsor contacting the persons/entities identified in his/her bio (that is, the bio initially submitted as part of his/her entry or the extended/enhanced bio submitted by Quarter-Finalist, as applicable) so as to corroborate its accuracy, without further notification to or consent from Entrant or Quarter-Finalist (as the case may be). If any information included in the bio (for Quarter-Finalist, this includes the extended/enhanced bio) is exaggerated, untrue or fraudulent, Entrant/Quarter-Finalist will be automatically disqualified and Sponsor as well as Powderkeg Media will have no liability to such person (as well as each entity reserving the right to pursue legal remedies against such person). In addition, material discrepancies between a Quarter-Finalist’s initial, entry bio and his/her extended/enhanced bio may result in disqualification without any liability to Sponsor or Powderkeg Media, with the possibility of legal sanction.  YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED NOT TO EXAGGERATE OR EMBELLISH YOUR EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE IN ANY BIO AS THIS MAY RESULT IN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION AS WELL AS OTHER, ADVERSE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES

 

 

 

  • Sponsor may (but is in no way obligated to) provide resources to assist Entrants in participating in the Contest. If applicable, such resources may be used in the sole discretion of Entrant and are made a part of these Official Rules and incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between these Official Rules and such resources, these Official Rules will prevail, govern and control in all respects. 

 

 

 

  • Should an Entry/Script not fully comply with the Official Rules, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, notify Entrant/Qualifier/Quarter-Finalist to such effect and allow Entrant/Qualifier/Quarter-Finalist to cure the defect(s) in the corresponding Contest material(s) and re-submit same by the applicable deadline, provided Sponsor determines that sufficient time remains prior to the applicable deadline.  Sponsor shall determine in its sole discretion whether the defect(s) in Entry/Script qualifies for the opportunity for cure and whether sufficient time remains for Entrant/Qualifier/Quarter-Finalist to cure such defect(s), without liability of any kind. 

 

 

 

  •  If Sponsor determines in its sole discretion that the Contest cannot be conducted as originally planned due to any cause beyond its control, Sponsor reserves the right to suspend, modify or terminate the Contest.  In such event, Sponsor will conduct the Contest and select the Prize Winners (to the extent practicable) in a manner that Sponsor determines in its sole discretion is fair, appropriate and consistent with these Official Rules. Notice of such action by Sponsor will be posted at http://www.cocre.tv/teenmovie.

 

 

 

  • If any provision of these Official Rules is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be replaced by a substitute provision that most closely approximates the original intent of Sponsor and is valid, legal and enforceable. The invalidity/illegality/unenforceability of a given provision shall not affect the remainder of these Official Rules.

 

 

 

  • Proof of submitting Entry/Script does not constitute proof of Sponsor’s receipt of same.  Sponsor’s failure to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute the waiver of such provision. Contest is void where prohibited by law.  

 

 

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY A PERSON TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE, UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS CONTEST OR SEEK TO DEFRAUD SPONSOR AND ITS DESIGNEES IN ANY MANNER IS A VIOLATION OF LAW AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AS WELL AS DISQUALFYING SUCH PERSON FROM THE CONTEST (IF APPLICABLE).

 

  1. Dispute Resolution/Choice of Law. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you  agree that any and all disputes regarding the Contest or these Official Rules shall be governed by California State law without regard to choice of law/conflict of law rules; you are subject to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in Los Angeles, California; you waive any right of change of venue, inconvenient forum or the like; any action will be brought by you individually (NOT as part of a class action); your recovery in any such action is limited to actual costs involved in participating in the Contest (if any), with all rights to attorneys’ fees and any and all damages or other relief being expressly waived. 

 

  1. Winners’ List. For the names and city/state of winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Teen Movie Contest Winners at 8447 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, for receipt by 1/17/2020. Winners’ list will be available after 2/25/2020.