Ghosts in the Machine - FAQ

1. What is Ghosts in the Machine?
2. What is the prize?
3. What am I competing for?
4. How does the contest work?
5. How does voting work?
6. How do I apply?
7. Are there any restrictions on the type of film I can make?
8. Do ratings matter?
9. Can I revise my submission during the contest?
10. What will happen during the screen test phase?
11. When is the film going to be made?
12. What happens if my pitch doesn't win?
13. What happens if my audition doesn't win?
14. How can I help?

Back to top What is Ghosts in the Machine?

Ghosts in the Machine is a revolutionary horror film competition presented by Massify, in partnership with After Dark Films. With this event, we are launching our production network and giving Massify members the chance to redefine the horror genre.

If you're trying to break into the film industry, this competition is a landmark opportunity to produce a feature film with a professional team. If you're an actor, this is your chance to land a breakthrough role in a motion picture, in theaters during Horrorfest 2008.

Back to top What is the prize?

The winning pitch maker, along with his/her attached cast, will work with a professional team to turn the winning horror pitch into a feature length film. The film will then be theatrically distributed as one of the 8 Films to Die For during After Dark Films' Horrorfest 2008.

Back to top What am I competing for?

You are competing for the chance to work on a professional feature film - either as an actor or a producer and originator. Once the final pitch has been selected, the winning pitch-maker will immediately begin working with our production team on script development and pre-production. Moving into production, the winner will be on-set for principal photography - with all accommodations and travel expenses covered by After Dark Films. The winner will also receive producer and original story credits on the final film.

For actors, this is an opportunity to be cast in one of four principal roles in the final film. First, the twenty entrants who make it past an initial voting round - ten male and ten female - will participate in a screen test challenge. The screen test is an opportunity for actors to showcase their talents in a professional production environment. Based on the results, a final round of voting will determine the lead male and female roles. Moreover, the male and female runners-up will also receive supporting roles in the film.

Back to top How does the contest work?

The competition consists of two parts. The first is a pitch component that determines both the concept and winning producer for the final film. The second is a casting phase that determines four of the film's principal roles - two male and two female.

During the pitching phase, entrants will submit their horror movie ideas using the Massify pitch tool. Pitch selection will be broken out into two rounds of public voting. The first round will narrow the entire pool of entrants to ten finalist pitches, followed by a final round of voting to determine the winning pitch.

During the casting phase, entrants will upload audition videos for the leading male and female roles. Once again, there will be two rounds of public voting. The first round will narrow the entire pool of actors to twenty finalists - ten male and ten female. These finalists will then be flown to a production studio for their screen test. This screen test will be the basis for final voting to determine which actors are cast in the film.

Back to top How does voting work?

During the first round of pitch voting, members can vote only once for each pitch - but you can vote for as many pitches as you like. Once the top ten have been determined, members can only vote for one pitch. Choose the pitch you find the most original, creative, and entertaining.

It works the same way for auditions. During the first round of auditions, members can vote for multiple submissions, though only once for each. Then, once the top twenty have been determined, members can only vote for one male and one female lead. Make your choices on the actors' talent, potential, and appeal.

Back to top How do I apply?

If you think you have a great idea for a horror film, all you need to do is create a pitch that communicates your vision for the film and why you think it represents the next generation of horror. We ask that you provide a title, logline, brief synopsis, and pitch video.

If you wish to compete for a cast role, all you need to do is submit an audition video for either the male or female lead. The audition video does not need to be pitch specific and should demonstrate your potential as an actor to fill a lead role in a feature film. You can submit anything from an improvised scene to a narrative welcome video.

Back to top Are there restrictions on the type of film I can make?

Yes, it must be a film in the horror genre. Remember, horror is open to community interpretation, so don't be afraid to push the genre into unexplored territory. That being said, Massify and After Dark Films do reserve the right to remove a pitch that isn't remotely related to horror. While a romantic comedy may seem terrifying to you, it is probably outside the bounds of this contest. We also ask that you avoid references to major metropolitan areas or recognizable landmarks.

Back to top Do ratings matter?

For the purposes of this competition, the answer is no. Our ratings system is designed to showcase content that's been well reviewed by the Massify community and not entered into competition.

Back to top Can I revise my submission during the contest?

Once you have submitted your pitch to the competition, you will not be able to edit or delete your title, logline or synopsis. However, you can upload additional pitch videos as well as multimedia 'Assets' that further communicate your progress and showcase your project's potential - storyboards, concept art, mood trailers, etc.

Similarly, if you are auditioning for a cast role you will not be able to delete your audition video. However, you can upload additional 'takes,' as well as headshots or photos that showcase your range and potential.

Back to top What will happen during the screen test phase?

The screen tests are a way for the community to judge how the top twenty actors perform in a professional production environment. For this phase, actors will work with our production team to create scenes that will provide the criteria for the final casting round.

Back to top When is the film going to be shot?

The feature film will enter pre-production immediately following the conclusion of the contest. The winning producer and cast should plan to be available to the production team shortly after the contest ends. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Back to top What happens if my pitch if I dont' win?

If your pitch is eliminated during the first voting round, it will be removed from competition and continue to exist on Massify unless you choose to remove it.

If your pitch makes it into our top ten, it will be archived as a competition finalist and you will not be able to remove it from the site. However, what you choose to do with your pitch content in the future is entirely up to you.

Back to top What happens if my audition doesn't win?

Similar to pitches, if your audition is eliminated during the first voting round, it will be removed from competition and continue to exist on Massify unless you choose to remove it.

If your audition makes it into our top twenty, it will be archived as a competition finalist and you will not be able to remove it from the site. Again, how you choose to use your audition material in the future is up to you.

Back to top How can I help?

Massify is very much a product in development, and as proud as we are of the progress we've made, we also know that there is a lot of room for growth. We need high caliber users to let us know how we can make Massify a real product that you would use to make films and collaborate with your peers.