In only three years, we at Screen Test have noticed a huge leap in filmmaking sophisitication. technically and artisitcally. We decided to raise the bar a bit and offer a new category that will exercise all facets of production: Song and Dance
The challenge with Song and Dance is to create a musical scene in dramatic form for film or video. It could include singing, dancing, or both, as long as the number has a narrative drive. Think of it as having your script set to music. It's OK, to have dialogue, but the musical number should remain the focal point of the film.
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Song and Dance DOs and DON'Ts
| DON'T.... |
DO.... |
|
...make a music video. A band or person performing a song for the camera can be fun, but there's no story involved. It's just a documentation of a song. |
...have your characters tell a story through music. It's OK if they address the camera, but the music has be part of a bigger picture. |
| ...use licensed music without acquiring the rights to use it! |
...create your own music. See our guidelines for song ideas. |
| ...do a song parody (i.e. ripping on a popular tune). |
...choose a musical style that best suits your story. |
|
...worry about recording the music live to camera. |
... lip-sync the vocals to a pre-existing original track. Works for Hollywood, plus it allows you to shoot anywhere without carting musicians along. Of course, feel free to have live music if you'd like. |
Below are examples of what the kind of stuff we'd like to see for Song and Dance, and stuff to avoid. The West Side Story and Hairspray clips are just the kind of thing we're looking for, while the I Want Candy and Ukulele vids (fun as they may be) exist to promote the performers rather that tell a story.