Hackett Films launch graphics comp

Hackett Films, along with the Sydney Opera House and Screen NSW are launching an international search for the best graphic storytellers, as part of the Sydney Opera House's GRAPHIC festival.

A weekend festival from August 7 to August 8, 2010, GRAPHIC will celebrate the imagination and ideas of creators in the fields of comix, anime, manga, 2D and 3D animation and illustration.

Over three rounds, competition entrants will vie for $20,000 in cash, by creating a 60 second story that weaves in compulsory narrative elements, such as an archetypal theme: 'recovery', a character: 'a seven-year-old', and a sound fx; 'a yawn'. As each round progress, one more element will be added to give the competition an extra twist.

Entrants can be an individual or a creative team, and the story can be captured in any form, from a storyboard comic to stop-motion or 3D animation.

At the end of each round, the public will vote for their favourite stories. A judging panel including director James Hackett from Sydney-based production house Hackett Films, will then shortlist a handful of the best entries to continue to each subsequent round.

"Graphic novels are all about the story so entries should really focus this narrative process -- we want people to be sucked into the characters and emotion of the story and left desperate to watch the next episode", says Hackett Films founder and director, and GRAPHIC competition judge, James Hackett.

"We're looking for entries that don't just tick the box when it comes to incorporating the narrative elements, but approach these requirements in a considered, intelligent way to create a really rich storyline" said Hackett.

In addition to the $20,000 cash prize, which can be used for professional development, post production or to invest in taking the animation to local or international market, the winner will receive an Adobe CS5 Master Collection (valued at $4,333) and have their film screened at GRAPHIC.

For more information visit: www.sydneyoperahouse.com/graphic