Applications are now closed - best of luck to everyone that applied!
Go on a filmmaking assignment to New Orleans!
Every nomad has a story. And we believe that those stories are worth sharing with the world.
This year, our 2013 Travel Film Scholarship is off to New Orleans to experience one of the most unique and rich cultures in the U.S. This assignment is about really finding out what makes this melting pot of a city tick - from exploring Mardi Gras traditions to delving into the vibrant music and food scenes that the Big Easy can claim as their very own.
You’ll spend 10 days in New Orleans under the mentorship of filmmaker and director Brian Rapsey. In that time you will be producing 3-5 three-minute travel-themed videos that we will share with the world!
So, here's the deal:
1. We want travel films - and we want you in them, not just behind the camera.
We love travel docos and we've had some amazing submissions in the past, however this year we want to see you in front of the camera again! We want to focus on you, our world nomads, in front of the camera. We want to experience a journey with you - the emotions, the moments, the adventures implicit to travel.
2. We’re accepting applications for not just one person, but also for teams of two to apply.
Solo Application
You must have solid film making skills, but more importantly, you must shine in front of the camera. We want to be inspired to travel, and to travel with you. The winner will essentially be a one-man show, needing nothing more than a camera and a sense of adventure to unearth a great story.
Team Application
We know that some of you are excellent filmmakers, with zero desire to see your face on film. And there are others of you out there that are talented in front of the lens, but are hopeless behind it. So, if you decide to apply as a pair, you can be a combination of one filmmaker and one presenter or two people who can use a camera and stand in front of it.
Note (Seriously..Read this!): This is not an opportunity just to bring a friend along for a holiday. If you are applying as a pair, you both must play a role in front or behind the camera. In the application, you will need to specify “filmmaker”, “presenter, or “filmmaker/presenter”, for each team member, and we must see those roles come through in your application video.
What we want
There are plenty of beautiful looking travel videos out there. What we're looking for goes a bit deeper - we want to see the conversations you have with people, hear your personal commentary on things and see the emotions involved and reactions to your experiences.
Who we’re looking for…
In your application video, we should really get a sense of who you are and your personality. You should be:
- comfortable in front of the camera, and sharing your emotions and opinions with the world
- engaging and charismatic, the kind of travel companion everyone would like to have (think Natalie Tran, Ian Wright or even Bradley Cooper...we don't ask much!)
- curious and inquisitive, interested in the lives of others, and always willing to interact with and learn from the locals (you don't necessarily have to be the focus of the video the whole time)
- up for anything, at any time
Who we're not looking for...
- America's Next Top News Anchor
- Someone whose idea of getting close to the action is sitting by the hotel pool
- People so uncomfortable on camera, they look like they want to cry
Still need a bit of inspiration? Check out the shortlisted entries from last year to see the quality of what we are looking for.
About the Assignment
The winner(s) will be sent on a customized 10-day film trip to New Orleans.
* You will meet up with some Trippers, and native residents of New Orleans to join in some of their favorite local activities - it could be exploring the hidden corners of the French Quarter, sitting down to a backyard crawfish boil, attending a live jazz gig in Marigny or lining up along the parade route to catch throws from the famous Mardi Gras krewes.
* Find out what makes Mardi Gras in New Orleans, one of the most exciting festivals in the U.S., from sneaking a peek behind the scenes of the production, to meeting the parade participants to joining the throngs of street musicians, locals and revelers in streets afterwards.
* Visit a development project in the lower 9th Ward and learn how the community has changed and rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina.
* Test your gastronomical limits by sampling the many Southern delights of the Big Easy including po' boys, gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, shrimp etouffee, King Cake and maybe even some alligator sausage!
*...plus many more exciting activities!
* Prior to departure, we'll work with the winner(s) to flesh out themes, storylines and potential filming ideas....then we'll let you loose to research and get amongst it!
* Every day you'll catch up with your mentor Brian to review your footage, discuss your story direction and floss him for tips of the trade over a Sazerac or two.
What’s the deal?
* We'll fly you (or your team) to New Orleans, USA from your country of residence.
* You need to be available to be in New Orleans from February 26-March 8, 2014 (dates may vary by a few days) to participate in the project.
* Under the mentorship of Brian Rapsey you will shoot 3-5 three-minute travel videos about the experience.
* You will keep a daily diary about your time on the trip and upload this plus pictures you've taken to your WorldNomads.com travel journal.
* You will edit your 3-5 travel videos and submit them to WorldNomads.com within 2 months of your return (and then we'll promote the bejesus out of them and make you a travel film superstar!)
Who can apply?
* Any non-professionals can apply - this is open to film students, or anyone who's trying to build a career in film making and/or presenting!
* Minimum age 18 (by application deadline) with a current, valid passport and you must be available as per the dates set out. Please note these dates are not changeable in any way.
* You may be a resident of any country (subject to obtaining a U.S. visa).
* You should be a mad-keen auteur with a lust for adventure and burning desire to be a filmmaker and/or presenter.
* You must be fit and healthy as moderate levels of physical work are involved as well as a number of late nights!
The Prizes
The Winner will receive:
* An 10-day bespoke trip to New Orleans
* Round-trip airfare from your country of residence to New Orleans where you will meet your mentor
* Enrollment in the MatadorU Travel Filmmaking course (with 3 months unlimited access to the course)
* Rode Microphones gear: A Video Mic Pro with an XLR adaptor, Smart Lav, Lavalier Mic, plus accessories!
* UltraPod GO - a light, compact, versatile tripod from Pedco (one per entrant, up to 2 per team)
* Travel insurance for the duration of the trip from World Nomads.
The 4 Runner’s Up will receive:
* Enrollment in the MatadorU Travel Filmmaking course (with 3 months unlimited access to the course)
* UltraPod GO - a light, compact, versatile tripod from Pedco (one per entrant, up to 2 per team)
The top 50 entries will also receive enrollment in the MatadorU Travel Filmmaking mini-course.
Am I eligible? What makes a non-professional?
This is a grey area, and very tricky to put measures around. We appreciate that the filmmaking and presenting industries are difficult to break into and there are a lucky few who can count themselves as professional full time filmmakers or presenters.
This scholarship is very much about the mentorship opportunity, and the judging panel will be selecting the person or team who they feel will most benefit from the learning opportunity. So if you have already been commissioned to make films or have had your work broadcast on numerous occasions, it is unlikely you will be selected.
You will be asked to outline your experience to date in the submission process, and it will be the judging panel who decides who is most suitable based on their video and written component. So whilst we are not stipulating exactly what does and does not constitute a professional, think about the spirit of the mentorship program and whether you think you would make the most ideal candidate(s).
Important Dates
**You need to be available between February 26-March 8, 2014 to participate on the assignment.**
Applications Accepted: September 3 - November 6
Judging Period: November 6 - 28
Winner Announced: November 29
Assignment: February 26-March 8
Final Films Due: May 23
Apply now
If you want it, you've got to show it. To apply you need to:
1. Compile a maximum 3-minute travel video in English based around one of the following themes;
Learn New Skills
Ever wanted to learn how to make homemade empanadas or maybe give curling a try? Take us on your journey as you learn how to do it. Example: Learning to Knit
Your Backyard
Do you have a favorite local haunt with an interesting story? Bring your viewers along to that local café, park, co-op, shop or theatre and share with us its compelling history and what makes it so special. Example: Parsi Culture in Mumbai
Local Legend
Do you know someone with a extraordinary story worth sharing with the world? Go find out about their personal journey and explore the essence of what makes them unique and interesting. Example: Through Local Eyes - Esteban
Festival
Are you heading to festival soon? Grab your camera and capture what it’s like to be in and amongst it – from preparing for the event to dragging your weary bum back home. Example: Rio - Heart of Carnaval
Roadtrip
A good old-fashioned roadtrip is the pure definition of adventure. Show us where your escape to the wide-open road takes you, and all of the antics you get up to along the way. Example: 3 Days in 3 Minutes - Batad Sagada
Seek Experiences
Go do something you have never done before – film yourself eating guinea pig in Peru, trekking to Annapurna Base Camp or spending the night on a train across India. Get creative; this is your wild card opportunity! Example: Eating Bull Penis Soup in Penang
Want a bit of advice before you run off and create your film? Check out these helpful tips from Brian, our mentor.
Your style should revolve around “what it feels like” to be a traveller: the excitement, boredom, frustration, surprise, etc that you experience when you travel. Aim to make your entry an “experience” film - capturing great moments and the emotions that accompany them, the presenter has to be willing to give the audience insight into their thoughts and opinions on the situation you are showcasing. Your story should emotionally resonate with the audience and the viewer should feeldrawn into your story.
The travel video may be compiled from previous travel videos you've shot.
It's up to you to convince our judging panel through your video that you (or your team) have the spirit for adventure, on-camera charisma and passion for filmmaking to be chosen for this scholarship. The aim of the scholarship is the give the winner(s) a foot in the door to the travel film industry. Check out the shortlisted entries from last year.
Our judging panel will be looking for;
* The ability to convey a strong narrative within a short time-frame
* Originality
* A visually engaging story
* An entry that demonstrates strong filmmaking skills as well as engaging on-camera talent that shares their thoughts and emotions (you know... someone you would want to travel with, someone who makes you want to go there).
Entries compiled solely of still shots will not be considered, you need to demonstrate your skill with the moving image.
Remember, 3 minutes maximum means that 3:01 videos will be ignored (note that the upload of your video may add a few seconds to the time, so adjust the edit accordingly). In a professional video environment, you need to be able to deliver up to the exact time, we're no different in this case. Do not go over!
2. Upload your video : Go to YouTube or Vimeo to upload your video.
3. Add your video to WorldNomads.com: Create a journal and fill in the entry form, then follow the simple instructions to upload your video into the post. In under 1200 characters tell us about your video;
- What inspired your subject matter?
- What has been your filmmaking experience to date?
- What is your ambition as a filmmaker/presenter and what would winning this scholarship mean to you?
Convince us you are a worthy candidate! Both your written answers and video submission will be equally considered as part of the judging process.
One entry per person/team (no longer than 3 minutes, again remember, entries that exceed this will not be considered).
Please don't leave your entry until the last minute, and note that the 2pm closing time is AEDT, not necessarily 2pm in YOUR time zone.
DOWNLOAD A SCHOLARSHIP POSTER;
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For all of you aspiring creatives, check out our Scholarships page and sign up to hear about our latest opportunities, tips, advice and interviews with industry professionals in the fields of photography, travel writing and filmmaking.
And if you're lucky enough to be mentored by one of our industry professionals, it could kick start your career!
WorldNomads.com keeps you travelling safely. Whether you’re off for a long weekend, looking for the ultimate adventure or living the nomadic dream, you’ll stay safe with Travel Insurance you can buy online, anytime, and the latest travel safety advice. Learn how to flirt in over 25 languages with our free language guides and have an experience of a lifetime on a travel scholarship. We'll also help you share your journey with a free travel blog, get answers from other nomads to all of your travel questions (try the new 'Ask A Nomad' iPad app) and donate to a local community development project through our Footprints program.
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