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Using the Nokia N90 multimedia device that comes with optics from
optics firm Carl Zeiss consumers will now have the ability to create
their own personal high-quality mobile films with their Nokia camera
phones. This advancement in mobile technology will contribute to
the evolution and growth of documentary filmmaking and the way content
is utilised by mobile phone users.
To participate in the contest, interested parties can send in a
photo or a video that’s no longer than nine seconds and a brief
description of a favourite icon that best defines the values and
hopes of their community, and how this will be presented in a short
mobile film. The icon can be anything that conveys the importance
and significance of a particular community, such as an old shophouse
in an alley that holds many memories, a vintage car, or even a childhood
game – but most importantly, something that conveys the importance
and significance of a particular community.
Contestants may also send in storyboards to support their entries.
The contest, which started yesterday 1 August 2005 is open to individuals
aged 18 and above who are residing in India, Singapore, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Hong
Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.
The closing date for submissions is 4 September, 2005. 15 applicants
will be short-listed and flown to Singapore in September to attend
a special workshop organised by Discovery Asia. They will have the
opportunity to learn more about mobile filmmaking techniques. In
addition, the fifteen selected filmmakers will each receive a Nokia
N90, which they will use to shoot and submit their final entries
towards their bid to win the grand prize of $10,000.
Prior to attending the workshop, contestants will also be able
to obtain helpful tips and hints on mobile filmmaking via the Mobile
Filmmaker gallery. Commenting on the initiative Discovery Asia senior
VP of programming and creative services James Gibbons said, “By
tapping Discovery’s expertise in finding great stories and bringing
them to a world stage, and giving people everywhere the tools they
need to become first time filmmakers through Nokia’s technology
leadership, we are creating a new genre that will empower aspiring
documentarians to bring their real-world stories to light. With
this initiative, we hope to inspire a new generation of talent by
changing the way documentary filmmaking is perceived and taking
this new genre to greater heights.
Nokia Asia Pacific director of mobile phones marketing Pasi Jarvenpaa
says, “Mobile First Time Filmmakers is probably the first
such contest in the world to use the Nokia N90 to film documentaries.
It is testimony to the Nokia camera phone’s entry into the digital
imaging industry. Where only camcorders allowed consumers to take
high-quality videos in the past, it is now possible to do so with
Nokia camera phones, namely the Nokia N90. By collaborating with
Discovery, Nokia hopes to bring mobile photography and filmmaking
in the Asia-Pacific region to a whole new level by making them easy
and accessible to all consumers. Not only will the initiative help
develop the amateur filmmaking industry in the region, it will also
revolutionise filmmaking by giving consumers the ability to create
their own personal documentaries with their Nokia phones”.
The Mobile First Time Filmmakers Contest initiative is part
of a regional advertising sales partnership between Discovery Networks
Asia and Nokia, which was announced in April this year. As part
of this partnership, Nokia will be advertising across Discovery’s
Southeast Asia, Australia/New Zealand and India feeds. In June,
Nokia kicked off the collaboration by sponsoring the premiere of
Discovery Channel’s First Time Filmmakers: China 21 series, which
showcased five documentaries directed by young and up-and-coming
filmmakers from China.
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