Questions of general interest

1) How high and wide in pixels should the swf file be?

2) I'd like to know if it possible to use sounds, soundtracks or songs by famous authors.

3) Accessories of the movie. Is it possible to show one's logo during the whole film? Can I include my e-mail address? Is it compulsory to include a pre-load? Does the animation have to end with a link to your site?

4) Do I have to use Italian or English? Is it possible to use a different language from these?

5) Is it possible to use the fullscreen mode? If yes, in what way?

Questions section A

1a) For section A (intros), my file exceeds the proposed size: can I produce another external swf file containing music imported from the main file? (The main file is within the limit of the proposed size but, summing it with the second file, this limit is surpassed).

2a) As for the intro, do I have to refer to Modena Province, the promoting body of the contest? Do I have to quote aniMOweb 2004?

3a) What are the main points to be dealt with in the intro? What do I have to do with the guidelines? Do I have to refer to 2005 women's day?

4a) I would not use the images of your guidelines, but others of my choice. How can my intro be accepted in the contest?

Questions section B

1b) Can I participate in section B of the contest with an interactive application, submitting an Internet site I had previously created in Flash on the proposed theme?

2b) I would not use the images of your guidelines, but others of my choice. How can my game be accepted in the contest?

Questions section C

1c) As for section C, there is a proposed size limit of 10 MB for the files. Can large size files be sent to the email address of the contest concorso.animoweb@provincia.modena.it or is it better to send a CD-Rom?

Question

1) How high and wide in pixels should the swf file be?

Answer

The size in height and width of the swf files is free, for each section of the contest. You can see some examples of the participants of the previous editions:
2003 winners
2003 participants
2002 winners
2002 participants
So some chose the usual 550x400, others chose different sizes.
Someone decided for a full screen by creating appropriate javascripts:
for intros (2003)
for games(2002)
for short films(2003). The size choice in height and width depends on what one wants to do and on the reference size in Kb for each section of the contest (300 Kb for intros, 2 Mb for games, 10 Mb for short films).
All the movies will be published in the web site and in the CD-Roms with the size in pixels proposed by their authors, but they will be viewed full screen in the DVD and in the video for the public performances (prize-awarding, etc.).

Question

2) I'd like to know if it possible to use sounds, soundtracks or songs by famous authors.

Answer

It is highly recommended to use sounds, soundtracks or songs.
As for the music by famous authors, this year the rules are more restrictive. When the works are being published in the CD-Rom with IHT Gruppo Editoriale the Italian association of authors might have some objections.

From the contest regulation:
"The submissions must be in accordance with the Copyright laws. Any violation is the exclusive responsibility of the author, as declared in the application form. The contest organizers retain the right to exclude from the contest with incontrovertible decision the submissions violating Copyright laws.
As for the publication in the CD-ROM produced after the contest, or in other possible CD-ROMs or DVDs of Modena Province or other publishers, the contest organisers establish the following rules: 1) all the works containing music by authors belonging to SIAE (The Italian Association of Musicians and Authors) will be excluded; 2) all the works containing music without the authorisation of the author in the application form will be excluded."

From the application form:
:
"I declare under my personal responsibility that the work submitted through this application form is in accordance with the copyright laws and that the copyrights of third parties are not violated.
I give permission to the publication of my work in the CD-ROM produced after the contest or in other possible CD-ROMs or DVDs produced by Modena Province or by other publishers (by previous agreement with Modena Province) in order to promote aniMOweb. This authorisation is signed by the participant and by the author of music as well."

So we advise what follows:
- use copyright free music (see for example HTML.IT)
- if you can, compose your own music also with low cost software, or ask a friend who is not member of SIAE (or any authors' association)
- ask a famous author for permission (hopefully free) to use his/her music; once you get this permission, your work can be submitted and published in the site, but it can't be published in the IHT CD-Rom. Only a link to the aniMOweb site can be included in the CD-Rom.

Question

1a) For section A (intros), my file exceeds the proposed size: can I produce another external swf file containing music imported from the main file? (The main file is within the limit of the proposed size but, summing it with the second file, this limit is surpassed).

Answer

The regulation does not forbid the use of a main file and a secondary file. As for intros, if the aim is not to surpass the limit of 300 Kb, this limit is to be intended as the total weight to download. If the main file is 300 Kb and the secondary file is 100 Kb the total weight is the sum of the two files, that is 400 Kb (at this point, it is better to have a single file).

As for the limit of 300 Kb it is necessary to point out: the regulation says:
"Section A) - > a maximum dimension of 300 Kb is proposed" while the indications for Section A reiterate:
"Section A) - > a maximum dimension of 300 Kb is proposed".

The phrase "is proposed" is then used, which is not "is required". Consequently, the limit of 300 Kb is at the same time a reference point and a piece of advice, but not a constraint.
It is then allowed to "propose" larger files and possible movies exceeding this size are admitted to the contest and can become winners.

The contest regulation also underlines that the jury will evaluate works according to some parameters:
"The evaluation parameters will be: - ….(omissis) - dimensions of the files."

Every jury decides autonomously on the choice of parameters and on their importance. Our directions to the juries of the previous editions were to employ the parameter of the size file only if some works scored equal according to the other parameters.
If for example movie A (290 Kb) and movie B (350 Kb) scored the same, movie A would be the favourite. Since 300 Kb is not a constraint, also how much this limit is exceeded is important. While 320 Kb can be almost neglected, larger sizes would allow to include more objects in the intro and to improve its quality. In a sense, competition would be compromised. It is probable that with 400 or 500 Kb the intro is more complete than with 300 Kb. With such large dimensions the jury is likely to employ the file size parameter and penalise the file exceeding 400 Kb.

It is advisable to browse sections A of the previous editions:
- in 2003 3 movies exceeded 300 Kb out of 20. 2 of these placed among the best 8 in the evaluation of the jury, and 1 among the best 6 in the evaluation of the public
- in 2002 9 movies exceeded 300 Kb out of 62. 1 of these placed 8th in the evaluation of the jury
So no prize was assigned to movies exceeding 300 Kb, but this does not mean that the same will happen in the future.

In conclusion, it is the author's choice to take the risk to exceed 300Kb. The movies surpassing this limit are however admitted to the contest. The jury will evaluate the importance of the size parameter.

Question

2a) As for the intro, do I have to refer to Modena Province, the promoting body of the contest? Do I have to quote aniMOweb 2004?

Answer

It is not necessary to quote Modena Province or aniMOweb in the intro. The theme "Women and work" is of general interest. The short films could be submitted for other events than aniMOweb.
Modena Province and aniMOweb could be quoted in the credits or in an introductory/conclusive slide ("Modena Province presents"…."aniMOweb presents", "Special thanks to..").
The citing of Modena Province or aniMOweb will not bring about any advantage in the jury evaluation.

Question

3a) What are the main points to be dealt with in the intro? What do I have to do with the guidelines? Do I have to refer to 2005 women's day?

Answer

The intro on "women and work and women's times" can be dealt with in different ways. The simplest idea is to imagine an ad about one or more aspects of the theme with the aim to sensitise the onlooker. The ad could contain appealing graphics and texts. For the intros, the suggestions of the guidelines containing both images/films and texts can be useful.
We remind contestants that at least one photo of the guidelines has to be used in any way in the intro. Other copyright free images not in the guidelines can be used, while the reference text is an introduction to the theme, also for anyone who doesn't know anything about the subject. Obviously this text is not exhaustive or systematic.
The use of the MPG films of the guidelines is absolutely optional.
Even if a CD ROM with the films of the 2004 edition contest will be handed out during 2005 women's day, the reference to this event is not compulsory. The priority is the message about "women and work and women's times". These films will also be published or performed during other events.

Question

3) Accessories of the movie. Is it possible to show one's logo during the whole film? Can I include my e-mail address? Is it compulsory to include a pre-load? Does the animation have to end with a link to your site?

Answer

There are no restrictions as to the use of one's logo, for instance in a corner of the screen. A certain carefulness, however, is recommended. Credits, logo and e-mail address of the author could be inserted in the preloading, or in an introductory or conclusive slide, together, for example, with the replay button. The preloading is not compulsory but is highly recommended to easy the onlookers' vision in the internet.
Finally the animation has not to end with the link to our site. The possible link to the site www.animoweb.it will not bring about any advantage in the jury evaluation, neither will its lack bring about any disadvantage.

Question

4) Do I have to use Italian or English? Is it possible to use a different language from these?

Answer

In the general indications of the guidelines for each section of the contest, there are suggestions as to the language. Since the contest is international, the main recommendation is that contestants should try to make their works comprehensible for the largest possible audience.
We remind participants that their movies can be either in the English or in the Italian language, but preferably in the first, due to the above recommendation.
For section C of short films any language different from English or Italian can be used, but a version with captions in English or a text with an English translation of the dialogues/texts has to be provided. With the author's consent all the versions of the same film submitted for the contest will be published (for instance in Italian and English or with and without captions). The text files containing the translation of the dialogues/texts in Italian, English or other languages will also be published.
Free translation from English, French, German into Italian can be requested to Cristina Poppi, e-mail address: poppi.c@provincia.modena.it

Question

1c) As for section C, there is a proposed size limit of 10 MB for the files. Can large size files be sent to the email address of the contest concorso.animoweb@provincia.modena.it or is it better to send a CD-Rom?

Answer

A notification e-mail message is sent for all the submissions both in a CD - Rom and via e-mail. If a confirmation message is not received within a reasonable time, it is advisable to write a message without attached files to the address concorso.animoweb@provincia.modena.it, asking for explanations. Otherwise it is possible to call 0039 059 209362 or to send a fax to the nr. 0039 059 209214.
Unfortunately, our mail server rejects messages with attached files exceeding 3,5 Mb. If the submitted file size is beyond that limit, it is necessary to send a masterised CD - Rom for PC Windows to the following address:

Provincia di Modena
Ufficio stampa
Concorso Animoweb - att. Andrea Cavazzuti
Viale Martiri della Libertà ,34
41100 Modena
Italia

We advise participants to send the CD- Rom via registered mail.

Question

1b) Can I participate in section B of the contest with an interactive application, submitting an Internet site I had previously created in Flash on the proposed theme?

Answer

Of course, it is possible to submit Flash movies produced for the web or CD-ROMs independently from aniMOweb, provided they fulfil the requirements of the proposed theme and of the guidelines. We remind contestants that, for section B of games and interactive applications (as well as for section A), it is compulsory to use at least one image of the guidelines rearranged in any way. In order to fulfil this requirement, the ready-made movie should be modified. The simplest way could be to use the image of Modena Province logo (in the guidelines) in the credits, in the preload or in an initial/final slide with a reference to the Organisation promoting aniMOweb.

Question

5) Is it possible to use the fullscreen mode? If yes, in what way?

Answer

It is possible to show a movie in fullscreen from the pages of the site aniMOweb starting anyway from an interactive window where our logo is visible. Here are three examples from the 2003 edition on environmental themes:
intro -> CLEMENS CONRAD
giochi -> FABRIZIO PARODI
cortometraggi -> LAURA COPELLI
In the first case the fullscreen mode is automatically on after a few seconds. In case it isn't, a version without the fullscreen mode is started by clicking on the "click here" button.
In the second case the viewer has to click the PLAY button in the interactive windows to have the fullscreen mode on.
In the third case, where both an English version and an Italian version are important, the movie starts with an interactive window for the choice of the language.
Two further examples are from the first edition of aniMOweb (2002):
intro -> CRISTIANO MARCHI
giochi -> ROBERTO FEDERICO, ELISA CHINELLO
In the first case the viewer has to choose the fullscreen mode in the interactive window.
In the second case the check of the plug in is in the interactive window with our logo. After clicking on Weekend in Modena the viewer turns the fullscreen mode on. As for scripts, javascript were always used by the authors with consent of aniMOweb editorial staff (write to info.animoweb@provincia.modena.it).

Question

4a) I would not use the images of your guidelines, but others of my choice. How can my intro be accepted in the contest?

Answer

The contest regulation and the general indications of the guidelines for section A (Intros) and B (Games) oblige contestants to use at least on of the images of the guidelines processed in any way (it can be reduced in size, filters can be applied to it, part of it can be used, etc….).
The image of the guidelines can be inserted in the movie, or in a possible final or beginning window (presentation, credits, acknowledgements) as in the preload session.
If no image is suitable for the movie, the simplest way to fulfil the contest requirements could be to use the image of the logo of Modena Province in the credits, in a final/beginning window or in the preload, with reference to the sponsoring institution of aniMOweb contest. The image could be accompanied by introductory explanations such as "this movie (title of the intro or of the game) participates in aniMOweb 2004, which is sponsored (organised) by Modena Province".
In addition to the obligation of employing at least one of our images processed in any way, other images chosen by contestants and not proposed in the guidelines can be used freely, provided they are not subject to copyright.

Question

2b) I would not use the images of your guidelines, but others of my choice. How can my game be accepted in the contest?

Answer

The contest regulation and the general indications of the guidelines for section A (Intros) and B (Games) oblige contestants to use at least on of the images of the guidelines processed in any way (it can be reduced in size, filters can be applied to it, part of it can be used, etc….).
The image of the guidelines can be inserted in the movie, or in a possible final or beginning window (presentation, credits, acknowledgements) as in the preload session.
If no image is suitable for the movie, the simplest way to fulfil the contest requirements could be to use the image of the logo of Modena Province in the credits, in a final/beginning window or in the preload, with reference to the sponsoring institution of aniMOweb contest. The image could be accompanied by introductory explanations such as "this movie (title of the intro or of the game) participates in aniMOweb 2004, which is sponsored (organised) by Modena Province".
In addition to the obligation of employing at least one of our images processed in any way, other images chosen by contestants and not proposed in the guidelines can be used freely, provided they are not subject to copyright.