Special Delivery: Testing A Live Video Streaming Service

We're testing a new web streaming service called Ustream.tv during Franciscan University of Steubenville's Baccalaureate Mass and Undergraduate Commencement. Join us at

• 6:00 pm Eastern Friday, May 11 and
• 11:30 am Eastern Saturday, May 12.

UStream is transitioning to a new version of their software, so service may be interupted. But I invite you to join us for this test.







Visit us directly on Ustream through this link.

Jim Coyle

Film Challenge #2: The Entries

The five entries have been submitted and are being uploaded to the Web. As we receive the links, we'll add them to this post. Here are the titles listed alphabetically:

In Our Food - Team Y

Rags 2 Rappers - Team Saint

The Lost Tapes - Team 007

The Pitch - Team Z

TV 2 Madness - Team X

Thanks to all the production teams. We hope you enjoy viewing their work!
Dr. C

3 Entries Submitted by the Deadline for Challenge #2

Even though there were five teams entered, only three films were received by the deadline and are eligible for official judging. But all five entries must be submitted for the academic aspect of the television production class.

We're looking forward to seeing the films!

Dr. C

Film Challenge #1 Winners

After a long and arduous judging process, the results for Film Challenge #1 can be announced. Our thanks to the entrants and the judges for a job well done.

First Place: "A Portion of Grace"

Second Place: "WFRS 5:00 News"

Because the third entry, "Earning Grace," exceeded the specified maximum running time of 5 minutes, the judges disqualified that entry.

As noted earlier, we had to remove one of the entries, "WFRS 5:00 News," from our online player at the request of one of the participants. Be sure to look at the other two entries here.

Dr. C

Film Challenge #1 Judging Tabulation Almost Complete

We've finally received the results from the last of the judges for Commarts Film Challenge #1. (Good thing, too, since Challenge #2 will end soon.)


Our massive computers are calculating the results and we'll be able to announce them soon.

Announcing Film Challenge #2

Hello. It's Easter Monday and I started the day leisurely. Then - Wham! - I had to get to the office and start the day's work. So the details of Challenge #2 are going online an hour late - but you win because the deadline will be adjusted by an hour.

Film Challenge #2 Objective: Create a short digital film running no longer than 10 minutes - including credits - in one (or both combined) of the genres your group chose last week.

Each film must include the following two elements:
1. Prop: Guacamole dip
2. Line of Dialogue: "Sorry I'm late. I was looking for the lost tapes."

Deadline: 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 24. Dr. Coyle's office in Egan Hall.

Format: MiniDV or DVD OK for deadline; but a MiniDV copy is needed by 5:00 pm April 24.

Charge!

Here are the Entries

Watch the three entries to Challenge #1 through our Online Video Player

The judges are still judging, and the winning team will be announced Tuesday, April 3.

Feel free to post comments about the videos.

Dr. C.

Deadline Details - Small Change

The best-laid plans...

I've gotten tied up out of town and won't be back until the Challenge Deadline has passed. But don't despair - Dr. Schaefer has agreed to be at my office to receive the Fabulous Challenge Entries at 5:00.

I'll pick them up this evening and hope to have them posted on the Web tonight. Watch this space for details!

Congratulations to our Challenge Teams.

Dr. C.

Go!

UPDATED 3/24/2007 - ADDITIONAL STUDIO/LAB HOURS: The TV Studio/Avid Lab will also be open Sunday, March 25, from 1:30 - 6:00 pm.

UDPATE 2, 9:17 am, 3/25/2007 - STUDIO/LAB HOURS ADJUSTMENT: Be sure someone from Team(s) is at TV Studio/Lab when it opens for weekend hours.

It’s time to start!

First, news that we’ll have extended Avid Lab hours if you’d like to take advantage of them. The extra times are:

Saturday, Noon to 6:00 pm - Update: Lab closed since no team member(s) came
Added: Sunday, 1:30 - 6:00 pm
Monday night (Tuesday morning) – the Avid Lab will be open until 2:00 am
Tuesday – Avid Lab will open at 8:00 am

Specifics: Create a 3-5 minute digital film incorporating the elements listed below.

Deadline: The completed film must be submitted on MiniDV videotape to Dr. Coyle at his office no later than 5:00 pm EDT Tuesday, March 27, 2007.

Required elements:

Theme: Grace

Prop: a blue shoe

Line of Dialogue: “Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.”


Have a great time.
Dr. C

Set (2)...The Challenge Teams

Update @ 10:23 am, March 22: Revised Challenge Team information. The morning section has voted to participate as one team of 8. The team listings below reflect that information.

In the spirit of the digital world, the team selections were announced 24 hours ago via online video and on Facebook. Now they're here - the Official Site of the Comm Arts Film Challenge.

Here are the teams:

Morning Section

Team A:
Kristen Rainey
Clara Gonzalez
Kenny Poulin
Joe Weber
Mary Pometto
Matt Coakley
Nic Lishko
Ben Olsen

Afternoon Section:

Team C:
Kevin Allen
David Rydberg
Michael Zanicky
Ashley Drane
Philip Boos
Chris Bissonnette
Scot Welshans

Team D:
John Reed
Peter Vadala
Paul Peterson
Steve Schumaker
Jeff Elsinger
Brooke Moniz
Cheryl Nagakubo

The contest details will be announced on this Blog and through e-mail at 5:00 pm EDT on Thursday, March 22.

The deadline for the completed videos is 5:00 pm EDT Tuesday, March 27. The class periods on Tuesday, March 27, may be used for work on your projects.

Set (1)...Teams Announced

Tuesday evening the production teams for the First Film Challenge were announced via a Web video of Dr. Coyle (that's me) drawing names from his new hat. I didn't post the video on a public site such as YouTube because of privacy issues, but sent a link via e-mail to the TV Production II students. There's a new Flash version here if you'd like to view the video.

The team lists were also posted on Facebook as a Note by Jim Coyle (that's me, too).

For those of you not accessing these sources, I'll be posting the Team List later tonight here on the official blog/web site for the Challenge.

The anticipation is mounting with just over 24 hours to go until the Challenge Specifics are announced!

Dr. C

Ready...

Welcome to the Franciscan University Film Challenge. This is the first-ever digital filmmaking competition conducted by the Communication Arts Department from its Global Headquarters in the lower level of Egan Hall.

This first Film Challenge pits three (or four) teams of students in the Television Production 2 class against each other to create the best short film in a specified period of time. We like the model of the Spokane First Night 48 Hour Film Festival but are changing the creation and production period to 5 days since we discovered that the students actually have other classes during the semester.

Last night teams were selected at random and initially announced on video and Facebook.

At 5:00 pm EDT Thursday, March 22, three required elements will be announced: a theme, a prop, and a line of dialogue, all of which much be included in the short films produced for the Challenge.

The completed short films must be submitted on MiniDV videotape no later than 5:00 pm EDT Tuesday, March 27.

That's the background. Watch this space for more exciting news and information!

Dr. Coyle