Voice Over Challenge
Create a comedy film that is driven by a voice over.
What is a voice over? A voice over is a piece of narration in a film or broadcast, not accompanied by an image of the speaker.
A voice over could also be a character's inner dialogue because it represents a character's internal thoughts that are heard by the audience, even though the character(s) isn't speaking aloud on screen.
Challenge Rules
LENGTH OF FILM: 4 minutes or less (including credits)
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DATES: February 9th - March 20th
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FILM REQUIREMENTS:​
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Genre must be comedy but could be any sub-genre (example: comedy drama, comedy musical, comedy horror)
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Your film should be driven by a voice over
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A voice over is a piece of narration in a film or broadcast, not accompanied by an image of the speaker.
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A voice over could also be a character's inner dialogue because it represents a character's internal thoughts that are heard by the audience, even though the character(s) isn't speaking aloud on screen
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Diegetic sounds (like a on screen radio, tv or music) if they do not have story elements are fine to use, if they are apart of story (actors voicing to convey plot) then they must comply with dialogue rule below
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You may include 5 lines of dialogue to help tell your story
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Paragraphs of text, run on sentences, and extremely long lines, does not fit a 'line of dialogue'
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Think of line of dialogue as spanning no more than two lines of dialogue of a formatted script.​
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So that we know you made this film for the challenge you will need to take a BTS photos of you / team and show us you were filming during the challenge timeline
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This could be with a phone with date on it, with a newspaper with date on it, etc.
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You can upload these BTS photos to our Members HUB
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You can upload these BTS photos to social media but you must tag Newcastle Film Club
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Somewhere within your credits please include the line 'Made as part of Newcastle Film Club 2025 Voice Over Challenge'
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Submit a poster or screenshot thumbnail for your film which includes the name of your film on the image which can be used on social media and for Sunderland Shorts Film Festival to use if your film wins first place.
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Image size: 1920x1080 png or jpeg image
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​AI Rules specific to this challenge:
- ​You may use AI Voice over for your film however we would prefer a VO artist to be used if possible.
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If you used AI to help in the creation of your product, you must disclose what AI programmes you used in your credits.
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When submitting your film please identify if your content will need a Trigger Warning.
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See list of content that can result in trigger warning here.
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If we believe your submission will need a trigger warning, we will create a trigger warning slide that will need to be added to the front of your video. This slide will not effect the time you have for your film.
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DEADLINE: You must submit your film via google drive or WeTransfer to NewcastleFilmClub@gmail.com by 23:59 on Thursday, March 20th, 2025
SCREENING: Films will be screened on Sunday, March 23rd from 1-3pm at Brinkburn Brewery, see events page for details and RSVP.
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Voice Over Artist List
We've put a callout across our social media channels asking for anyone who is available to be a Voice Over (VO) artist for this challenge. As we get people's contact details bios and showreels, we will link it all on this page. So come back and check throughout the challenge timeline to collaborate with some mint VO Artists!!
Riley D. Mcguire
Jake Wilson Craw
Wayne Madden
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Email:
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Contact via BlueSky:
@waynemadden.bsky.social
Den Hewitt
Victoria Holtom
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Email:
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@victoriaholtom
MJ Murray
Watch Showreel Here
00:37 - 0:49 Voice Over in film
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Email:
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DM on Instagram:
@mjmurrayfilms​
Victoria Holtom
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Email:
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@victoriaholtom
Miriam Babooram
Michelle Bayly
Dean Foley
Duncan Flint
Luke James
Grace Winpenny
Daniel McQuade
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Email:
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@danielmcquade_
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Daniel McQuade
Eden Scarlett
Angela Rose
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Email:
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@angelarose.acting
Kylie Ann Ford
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Email:
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@k.a.f.actor
Film Challenge Judging
Meet the judges for this challenge and connect with them online. The judges look at all of the submissions and give the films a rating based on certain criteria. Together, their scores are combined to determine the winners of each category.
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Want to be part of the judging panel! Details on how to take part can be found below!
Judging Criteria
Judges Criteria
The judges for this challenge will be looking at the following 5 key areas when judging and will be ranking each point out of 10 points, for a total of 50 points. The film with the most points will win best overall or runner up.
Learn what's the judges are looking for when it comes to this challenge.
Directing
How well would you rate the directing of actors / objects within the film?
Does the film effectively communicate the comedy aspect? How well would you rate the directing?
Voice Over Expression
How well did they use voice over and performance of the voice over in their film?
Did the voice over work well for the tone / style of the overall film?
Did the filmmaker use a VO artist or AI Voice over?
How would you rate the use of their VO for the film?
Relevance
Did the submitted film follow the guidelines for the challenge?
For this challenge we want you to create a comedy film driven by a voice over.
4 minutes or less (including credits), full rules on NFC website
Audio / Production
How well was the film made? You may take team size into this consideration. How well produced do you think this film is?
Do shot choices enhance the storytelling (e.g., camera angles, movements, and pacing)?
Does the film use visual storytelling effectively to convey information without relying on exposition?
Originality
Have you seen anything like this before?
Rate the overall creativity here!
Is the film visually engaging, with creative use of cinematography, colors, and design that enhances the story?
Film Challenge Prizes
Best Overall Voice Over Film Challenge Film
(1st Place)
For the film that has the best interpretation, creativity, and successful use of voice over to drive their film.​
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Film selected for Sunderland Shorts Film Festival 2025 Official Selection
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2 x Day Pass to SSFF 2025 plus Opening Night Gala Invite
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NFC x SSFF Mug
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SSFF Tote Bag
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"Into the Woods" Film Book
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Winning film uploaded to NFC's YouTube Channel after SSFF premiere
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Framed Certificate & Digital Certificate
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Official Film Challenge Film Wreath and SSFF Film selection wreath
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Runner up for Best Overall Film (2nd Place)
As voted on by the judges, the film that has the second best interpretation, creativity, and successful use of voice over to drive their film.
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1 x day pass to SSFF 2025
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1 month of FilmFreeway Gold
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NFC x SSFF Mug
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SSFF Tote Bag
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"Into the Woods" Film Book
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Framed Certificate & Digital Certificate
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Official Film Challenge Film Wreath
Audience Award
​As voted on by the audience on the day, this award goes to the film that the audience enjoys the most. ​
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1 x day pass to SSFF 2025
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Engraved Item for Audience Award
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NFC Tote Bag
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"Into the Woods" Film Book
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Framed Certificate & Digital Certificate
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Official Film Challenge Film Wreath