Ambience Technical Guide - FAQ

What format should my film be?

We accept any format – so if you want to send something straight from a mobile phone or digital camera movie file, that’s fine. We’ll try to convert it, and get in touch if there’s a problem! As a rough guide the minimum frame rate should be 12 fps and minimum size 320x240 pixels. But ideally 25fps and 600x800 pixels or more...

If you’re editing or using a video camera, then please send us the best quality version you can – preferably as standard DV or best quality QuickTime movie, 4:3.

If you want some tips on exporting from editing software, the DepicT! Technical Guide has some useful tips.

Can I add a title or credits?

Please do not add titles or credits. They won’t be used, and may make your film ineligible. Your film could be viewed at any scale from the ‘side of a building’ to a ‘hand-held mobile device screen’ – so the better quality you can send, the better it will look on the big screens. BUT keep it simple – on small screens very fine details may not show so well. The entry form asks for the name of the main filmmaker/director. Credits for all of the filmmakers and musicians will be listed on the website www.ambience2009.blogspot.com. If you want to include a link to your website, we’ll try & add it in too.

What about sound?

Audio won’t be used, so you can remove it – or we will.

The soundtrack for the films in Ambience will come from local bands, and be chosen by the walker. The soundtrack could start at any point in the track, and will end when the films end. It can be really interesting to see your film with different soundtracks playing, so relax and don’t worry about the sound for now!

How do I send you my film?

You can either send it by post or online.

By post: send a DVC tape, a data CD or a data DVD to Ambience c/o the Bristol Festival (see entry form for details).

Online:

Dropbox: The easiest way to send your film is using the ‘dropbox’ at http://dropbox.yousendit.com/Ambience2009

NB You don’t need to register or have an account with yousendit to use this free service.

To upload a file to the Dropbox:

1. Go to http://dropbox.yousendit.com/Ambience2009 to see the ‘YouSendIt’ dropbox for Ambience.

2. Add your email address, so you will get an email receipt.

3. In the text boxes provided, specify a subject and message.

4. Click the Browse button, and specify the location of the file.

5. Select Add another file for each additional file (up to five files maximum).

6. Click SEND IT.

Email: If it’s smaller than 25MB you can send your film as an attachment by email to: ambience2009@gmail.com [Note, your email provider may limit the attachment size. The file may take several minutes to attach and then to send, depending on file size and speed of internet connection.]

Please send a separate email too, so we can contact you if your film doesn’t arrive!