AUDIO RESOURCES

Please refer to the following resources for assistance in obtaining appropriate music selections while avoiding copyright issues:

1. Incompetech - Creative Commons music that still requires citation in credits.

2. Bensound - Royalty free music that still requires citation in credits.

3. MixKit - Royalty free music that still requires citation in credits.

4. Purple Planet - Royalty free music that still requires citation in credits.

5. Free Music Archive - Royalty free music that still requires citation in credits.

6. Zapsplat - Royalty free sound effects that still require citation in credits.

Note: Editing platforms, such as Canva & Adobe, have music options built in, which can be used as long as properly credited.

Note: Purchasing a song through iTunes or any other platform does NOT grant you rights to use the song in your film production. You must still seek written permission from the copyright holder.

Note: Using a music-only version of a copyrighted song is still copyright infringement. 

VIDEO EDITING RESOURCES

Please refer to the following resources for assistance in editing films for submission:

1. Canva - Free, web-based program for students and teachers, when using MCPSS login credentials. Can edit videos, create graphics, and more.

2. Clipchamp - Free, web-based video editing program.  Also, can add images, music, text, etc.

3. Flexclip - Free, web-based video editing program.  Also, can add images, music, text, etc.

4. CapCut - Free, web-based video editing program.  Also, can add images, music, text, etc.

5. Kapwing - Video editing software with limited, free web-based version.  Paid subscription also available.

6. Adobe Express - Free, web-based video editing program.  Also, can add images, music, text, etc.

7. Adobe Premiere Pro - Video editing software with free download via Adobe Creative Cloud (Windows & MacOS), when using MCPSS login credentials (teachers or students).

8. DaVinci Resolve - Video editing software with free download (Windows or MacOS).  Paid Studio version also available.

9. Final Cut Pro - Video editing software for MacOS (not Windows).  Free trial is available, then paid subscription is required.

10. We Video - Video editing software with limited, free web-based version.  Paid subscription also available.

11. iMovie - Video editing software, free to download for iPads and iPhones.

Note: Many video editing softwares now feature AI (see example below from Clipchamp).  AI options that edit your videos for you should not be used except in the AI Created cateogy.  If AI edits your videos to create your film, you can not claim it as your work for other categories.  Any films outside the AI Created category found to be edited by AI will be disqualified.

ACCESSORY RESOURCES

Please refer to the following resources to find accessories that may assist in videoing:

1. Phone Tripod - Phone tripod with wireless remote.

2. Basic Camera Tripod - Camera tripod for most camcorders or DSLR cameras.

3. Gimbal - Gimbals are stabilizing devices that use motors and sensors to counteract unwanted camera movements, resulting in smooth, cinematic footage.

4. Microphone (wired) - Wired microphone for cameras or phones (may need 3.5mm adapter for your phone, sold separately).

5. 3.5mm Phone Adapter - Will work for both USB-C and Lightning ports.  May need with wired microphone above.

6. Microphone (wireless) - Wireless microphone for camera, iPhone, or Android (has 3.5mm, USB-C, & Lightning adapters included).

7. Lights - 2 lights on mini tripods with color filters (may need power brick, sold separately).

8. Power Brick - May need to power lights above.

9. All-in-One Package - This package includes tripod, ring lights, wireless microphone, and remote.

Note: The links above are from Amazon and are simply meant to provide ideas for the types of accessories that can be useful.  

They are not required to submit to the MCPSS Film Festival.

EXAMPLE CREDITS

Please refer to the following sample credits to learn how to list credits for your films:

Credits:

Writer: (student name)

Director: (student name)

Actors: (student/teacher/parent names...)

Videographer: (student name)

Editor: (student name)

Music: "Happy Rock" Benjamin Tissot

                 (bensound.com/royalty-free-music)

                  Royalty Free License

                    - OR - 

                 Unless otherwise stated, all images (or music) are licensed under Canva (or Adobe).

Editing Software: (editing software used)

If your film is being submitted to the AI Created category, you will also need to include:

1) Every AI tool used (e.g., ChatGPT, Midjourney, Runway, ElevenLabs, Suno, Adobe Firefly).

2) Specific prompt techniques or log highlights showing human creative direction.

3) Identification of any original live-action/human elements vs. AI-generated elements (for hybrid films).

Example 1: Fully AI-Generated Film

AI CREATION & PROMPT DISCLOSURE

AI Tools Used:

• ChatGPT (GPT-4o): Scriptwriting assistance, character dialogue, and image prompt generation.

• Midjourney (v6): Character concept design and background environment rendering.

• Runway Gen-3 Alpha: Image-to-video animation and camera movement motion control.

• ElevenLabs: Character voice synthesis and voice matching for dialogue.

• Suno AI: Instrumental background music composition.

Creative Direction & Prompt Highlights:

• Used multi-stage prompt iteration to maintain character consistency across 40+ generated frames (e.g., using Midjourney --cref character tags).

• Prompt Log Sample (Main Scene): cinematic wide shot, sci-fi hydroponics bay, volumetric lighting, 35mm lens, moody atmospheric lighting --ar 16:9 --v 6.0

• Manually keyframed and retimed video generations in Premiere Pro to fix morphing artifacts and align lip sync with synthesized voice tracks.

Asset Breakdown:

• Visuals & Audio: 100% AI-generated under student prompt control and manual editing.

Example 2: Hybrid Film (Live-Action + AI Enhancements)

AI & HYBRID PRODUCTION DISCLOSURE

AI Tools Used:

• Adobe Firefly / Photoshop: Generative fill for background clean-up and digital set extension.

• Topaz Video AI: Footage upscaling and frame interpolation for slow-motion sequences.

• Luma Dream Machine: Background visual effects generation for dream sequence scenes.

• LALAL.AI: Audio stem separation for background noise reduction.

Creative Direction & Prompt Highlights:

• Developed custom green-screen composite prompts to blend live-action actors into generated environments.

• Prompt Log Sample (Dream Sequence): ethereal floating clockwork gears, golden hour lighting, surrealism, photorealistic matte painting --motion 5

Asset Breakdown:

• Live-Action Elements: All principal actors, main dialogue recordings, and practical foreground props were filmed using a Sony camera.

• AI-Generated Elements: Dream sequence visual effects, extended background scenery in Scenes 2 & 4, and audio noise filtering.