Just before winter break, Colorado College Outdoor Education started sending out emails asking for students to film their outdoor pursuits. The goal is to organize a film festival of short outdoor movies created by Colorado College students, staff, and faculty.
Outdoor Education will be moving into the new Outdoor Education Center block eight of this year, and the hope is to have a screening of all video submissions after the grand opening of the center. As weather permits, Chris Dickson says that the screenings will take place on the back porch of the center, which faces Yampa field. Students and staff will be able to watch the movies on a large projector and enjoying popcorn. Movies will be judged either by a panel of judges or by crowd votes.
Any outdoor-themed movies are allowed, Dickson stresses. Films depicting hiking, climbing, backpacking, skiing, kayaking, rafting, biking, or any other outdoor pursuit are welcome. This is an opportunity for both casual filmmakers and budding cinematographers to show off their video skills, document what they’re doing with their friends, and win some prizes along the way.
Films will be judged on quality of filmmaking, storytelling, and actual content. Prizes and categories are still to be determined, based on entries. Dickson said that he hopes to get some entries from people who may not be regularly involved in the ORC and that some will use this as an opportunity to turn their lens to the outdoors for the focus of a short film.
Submissions should between two and 10 minutes in length,and should be uploaded to YouTube. The link can then be sent to Chris.C.Dickson@coloradocollege.edu. Dickinson also can be contacted via this address for any questions. In the meantime, he urges students, staff, and faculty to get out with their friends and make a film of everyone having fun.