I Swear I'm a Director Program

Sample Submissions:

I am crushed
eponine

(Not a contest, but an ongoing program to create more low budget music video directors)

Kung Fu would like to encourage all creative people out there to make your own videos for us and you may get the kind of exposure previous particpants in this program have received.

So far, there is a 100% success rate for this program. Luke S. Goljan, ESQ sent us his home made animated video for "My Girlfriend's Dead." We put in on our site where hundreds of thousands of people have already watched it with his name listed as the Director (along with contact information). Then we spent money marketing the video, and we put his creation on the Kung Fu video sampler and shipped out over 25,000 copies all over the world.

His video debuted at #1 on the U.K. Digital Satellite Network "P-Rock" video countdown, and is still in the top ten as this is being written. Luke S. Goljan, ESQ is now an award winning film maker with a reel and a following. Get the picture? Grab your camcorder or your Flash Animation software and get busy.

There are enough tools around for anyone to become a video director. Shooting and editing a music video is now more of a possibility for every day music fans than ever.

Suggested Hardware:
Mac G4 or G5

Film:
(Film is fun, but not necessary)
We use an Arriflex 16mm
Super 8 film looks cool too.

Video:

Sony HD FX1 or Panasonic
24P mini DV are awesome cameras for under $5,000
(Ozma's Bad Dogs was shot with one by industry professional Nate Weaver):
Next best is any 3 Chip Mini DV with Firewire (Many of our early live concert DVDs have been shot with these).
Next, any Mini DV, or Digital 8
(3-Chips are best for color. Try and get one)

Software that we use:
Apple Final Cut Pro
Adobe Photo Shop
Adobe After Effects
Macromedia Flash
Macromedia Director

You can also use more basic programs like Apple iMovie or if you've got a PC, try Adobe Premiere (mac version available too).

Amazing Help Site to do all this:
2-pop.com (this is where I learned almost everything I know)

Will we pay you?
No!!!

Will we put money into the marketing of you and your video?
Yes, if it's somewhat clever and at all watchable.

You don't have to spend a lot of money. Look at Sum 41's Hell Song video. Just put some original thought into it. Ask all your friends to give you ideas and make the best video in the world.

Hints:
1. Pick the right song. It should be from a band's most recent album on Kung Fu. It's best not to pick a song for which we already have a video. Unless you think our video sucks that bad. Look here for our current videos.

2. The band doesn't have to be in the video, so don't contact them and/or ask permission to shoot them at one of their shows. You have to make it without them. You get zero input from them. This is all about you. However, you can use drawings of them, photos that you may have, or anyother representation. (See the Sum 41 Video again for inspiration.)

3. You can only use images that you can own. You can't use footage from Dawson's Creek, etc. Don't worry about Coke cans in the shots, or photographs of famous people, or t-shirts with stuff on them. Just don't use motion video that someone else owns.

The Vandals video for 4,3,2,1,0,-1 sampled another video but we paid for it. If you want to pay for something, go ahead. That's your business, but show me the paperwork.

4. If you use recognizable people in your video, you must have each of them sign this release form. However, if it's some old lady out in public, don't worry about it, unless you're making her look bad.

To submit your finished product, make sure the final format is either

1.Mini DV
or
2. Beta SP

Then fill out, sign, and include the submission form and send it to:

"I Swear I Am A Director" Program
Kung Fu Records
P.O. Box 38009
Hollywood, CA 90038
Attn:Mayor McG

Make as many as you want. We'll watch and consider them all.