FAQ | We Are BC

When and how can I see the finished film?

SFU Public Square will feature the We Are BC film in a premiere screening at the Orpheum theatre on October 3, 2013 to kick-off a talk by Nobel Prize economist Joseph Stiglitz. This event is part of SFU Public Square’s 2013 Community Summit, Charting BC’s Economic Future. The event is free and open to the public, and will also be webcast live by The Vancouver Sun. Please check back on the We Are BC website, Facebook page and Twitter for up-to-date information. The film will eventually be available on the We Are BC website so everyone will have an opportunity to see the finished film.

What happens to my video if it’s not selected for the film?

We may include some of your footage in a We Are BC legacy website on the SFU Public Square website, which is planned for later in the project.

If my video appears in the film, will I receive any payment or a credit in the film?

If your video is selected for the final film, you will receive credit as a co-director of the film using the name you submitted when you completed the online Submission Form. If your video is selected for inclusion in the final film, your name, images of you, or footage from your video may be used to promote the film. You agree to this as part of the Terms and Conditions when you upload your video. If your video is selected for the final film, you are eligible to win one of three awards in the amount of $500 each: 1) An individual adult (age 19+); 2) A team (adults and/or youth); 3) An individual youth (under 19). A team contribution consists of two or more contributors and is meant to encourage colleagues to submit together. Viewers, themselves, will vote for the awards based on the impact of the video’s message (either in-house or online) at the October 3, 2013 Orpheum screening. One award of $500 total is available for a team submission.

Who owns my video if it’s selected?

You will retain ownership of your video throughout the process. As explained in the Terms and Conditions, you are granting Simon Fraser University the non-exclusive rights to include the video in the film and the We Are BC legacy website and to exploit the film in all media forever.

Does it have to be a documentary video or can I make a drama or animation?

This is a documentary film project so we expect that your video will be of a documentary nature, in other words live action and non-fiction. However, you can play with performance, genre or style as much as you like. No illustrated or animated submissions please.

How will I know if my video is selected?

At the point of completing the online Submission Form, we will ask you for your name, email address and telephone number. We will contact you if your video is included in the film. This won’t happen immediately but it may happen at some point after your initial submission and at the latest by October 3, 2013. We may contact you if portions of your film appear on the website or in project promotions. We will contact you if you win an award.

How will the video be selected for inclusion in the final film?

We are looking for authentic, compelling video clips featuring BC residents that speak to how each of us affects and is affected by the BC economy. We are also looking for videos that offer an acceptable quality of picture and sound (see our How To Make Great Videos Handbook). Your contribution must meet the video content and format criteria outlined in the Submission Rules. The inclusion or not of your video in the film is entirely dependent on the artistic vision of the director of the film, in the case of the film, and dependent on SFU Public Square’s editorial department, in the case of the We Are BC legacy website. The decision of the editorial department and that of the director is final (whether joint or otherwise). As such, the director’s artistic review will determine the contributions that will be selected for inclusion in the film. In order to submit your contribution you must complete the online Submission Form.

How do I submit my video to We Are BC?

Submitting your video is simple and free. Complete the online Submission Form in the Submit section of our website. Once you have completed this form, you will receive an email with a confirmation number. You can then upload your video file to WeTransfer (a free online file-sharing service). Click on “Add files.” Enter your email address under “your email.” Write your confirmation number in the “Message” box. Send your uploaded video file to the We Are BC film director by entering wearebc@sfu.ca in the “Friend’s email” and clicking on “Transfer.” Videos sent without a confirmation number may be automatically disqualified from the project. You can submit as many videos as you like—just be sure to complete the online Submission Form for each video you submit.

Any other permission I need to get?

All individuals shown in your video will need to have granted you permission to use their image and voice in the video and for that video to be broadcast online, on any media and at any time and included in the final film to be exhibited publically in the future. If any of these individuals are youth under the age of 19, you will need to obtain this permission from the youth’s parent or legal guardian. You must have permission to film at the filming location. Keep in mind that, if you are filming in your workplace, there may be workplace policies you need to follow when it comes to filming.

Do I need to subtitle my video if it’s not in English?

Show us your story through images. Try to explain your point of view with pictures and keep the talking to a minimum. A picture says 1,000 words in far less video time than 1,000 spoken words, which means more of your videos will make it in the final film. That said, we welcome videos in languages other than English provided that you can provide a written translation of your work, one sentence at a time, matching the original language with the English translation. Email these translation documents, along with your confirmation number, to: wearebc@sfu.ca

Should I edit my video?

No. We are looking for raw footage only.

Can I submit footage that has already appeared on TV or film?

No. We are looking for footage filmed in BC between July 17, 2013 09:00 and August 15, 2013 23:59.

Are there any restrictions on what I can or cannot film?

Any footage deemed by We Are BC/SFU Public Square to be slanderous, promoting goods or services, advocating intolerance, violence or bigotry, intentionally inaccurate in the representation of persons or places or not suitable for a PG audience will be removed from the project, and the you may be banned from further entry. We may contact you letting you know your video was not suitable for submission. Your video must comply with our Terms and Conditions and Submission Rules. Please do not add text, titles or music to your contribution. If your contribution contains music (e.g., a band performance) you must be the owner of the music and own all the rights to use the music in any media. When deciding on a location for your video remember that the location may be potentially in a film and/or published to a website so you’ll need permission to film there. Your video must have been shot in British Columbia between July 17, 2013 09:00 and August 15, 2013 23:59. Your video contribution should be an un-edited, 30-second video clip that reflects on one or more of the following concepts:

1. How do you generate an income? What does this look like? How do you feel about this?
2. How do you feel the current state of our economy affects you, your loved ones, residents of BC? Are you satisfied with how your tax dollars are spent?
3. How do the choices you make in your life impact the economy?
4. What are your dreams or fears for the future of BC’s economy? Or for your own life as it relates to work and money?

Show-and-don’t-tell. Show us your story through images. Try to explain your point of view with pictures and keep the talking to a minimum. A picture says 1,000 words in far less video time than 1,000 spoken words, which means more of your videos will make it in the final film.

You can include text on signs, which can be made of any material but be imaginative! Your face can appear in the video (either by filming yourself, or asking a friend or colleague to film you). If you would prefer to not show your face and remain anonymous, your video can be from your point-of-view and rather than showing yourself, show us what you see.

You can submit a video as an individual or as a team^[1] of colleagues.

[1] A team contribution consists of two or more contributors and is meant to encourage colleagues to submit together. One individual aged 19 years or older must submit a video on behalf of a team.

Am I eligible to submit to We Are BC?

You have to be 19 years old or over to comply with our Terms and Conditions. If you are a youth under the age of 19, you will need a parent or legal guardian) or an adult aged 19 years or over who has permission from your parent or legal guardian) to complete the online Submission Form on your behalf. You don’t need to be a filmmaker to get involved. We’re looking for a diversity of authentic voices. Your video must be uploaded to WeTransfer between July 17, 2013 09:00 and August 15, 2013 23:59 to be eligible to appear in the film and your video must be accompanied by a confirmation number (sent to you by email after completing the online Submission Form).