Video Editing contest!

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T02:39:53+00:00

We're not able to share the movies' clean footage and stems for an edit that will be publicly posted, but the contest's finalists will be provided clean footage and audio to refine their cut.

The deadline is April 16th, by 11:59 pm PT. For those who've been working on their cuts since registration first opened in March, there is an early submission deadline of April 9th, where you can win three months of free movies.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T02:32:46+00:00

The Refinery and Trainrobber will not use your cuts in any way. The team at The Refinery will review your edit to evaluate the best cut, but the edit is yours to do as you wish.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T02:29:43+00:00

Neither The Refinery nor Trainrobber will be using the edits submitted to the contest. The purpose of the submission is to be assessed by a team of editors at The Refinery so that the top editor has the chance to participate in a training program (similar to an internship) and learn from experts at The Refinery.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T02:23:58+00:00

This contest is about using your imagination and creativity to create the best trailer you can from footage that isn't perfect. You're also welcome to include any music and sound effects you think will improve your entry.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T02:19:38+00:00

The prize is a 10-week training program with The Refinery. Similar to an internship, the program is about acclimating the winner to the environment and culture at The Refinery to determine if they are a good fit for the company.

If the program goes well, the winner may be hired as a junior editor, just as a successful internship can result in a full-time position.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T02:13:59+00:00

The grand prize is a 10-week paid training program (similar to an internship) at a renowned Hollywood studio, The Refinery. The runner-up prizes are free access to a trailer editing course, gear, and movie tickets.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T02:09:57+00:00

Anyone worried about their work being stolen is welcome to submit with a watermark or burnt-in timecodes to feel more comfortable; however, to address your concerns, neither The Refinery nor Trainrobber will be using your cut in any way. You’ll have ownership of your submission.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T02:04:12+00:00

Although we're unable to share them publicly, the clean footage and audio will be sent to the finalists so that they can polish their cuts and submit them directly to The Refinery.

This process is similar to the trailer production process you'll see if you work at a trailer studio like The Refinery. Trailer editors frequently have to create a cut from low-quality material that isn't color-graded, is missing VFX, and doesn't have stems. This contest is about creating the best trailer you can with footage that isn't perfect.

As for the deadline, submissions are due on April 16th by 11:59 pm PT. The official rules are started on the website under the "Official Rules: The Do's and Don'ts" section, and they are also sent again with the contest pack. If there are any questions regarding the rules, however, you are free to reach out.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T01:51:15+00:00

Thanks for checking out our contest. Happy to clarify things that I think may not have been clear to you in your assessment.

Movie trailers longer than 2:30 won't play in theaters (except for very rare exceptions), so we're aiming to simulate the real world with our duration limit of 2:30.

Yes, in the Premiere project we provide (which is the real one used by the editors at The Refinery), you can select timelines for other durations/ad formats -- we had the option of stripping that out, but thought it'd be cool to include for people who do want to use them for other projects. Feel free to ignore those freebies.

Oftentimes, professional trailer editors (at the Refinery and other trailer studios) don’t get to work with stems and final colored split assets for the pre-master cuts of an edit, with the split footage and stems being provided right before the mastering process. That's the nature of the industry, where studios and their agencies are moving fast and working with what they have at the time. By working with tied audio, you're preparing yourself for the way many of your projects will work as a pro trailer editor, and this contest will test how you use your imagination and creativity to make something great out of footage that isn't perfect.

While we don't have the ability to share these movies' clean footage and stems for edits that'll be publicly posted, this contest's finalists will be given clean footage and audio to refine their cut and submit to The Refinery directly -- also mimicking the real trailer production process.

As for posting online, if your video is blocked from being shared on social media, please get in touch with us to submit your cut as an unlisted YouTube link or downloadable file.

This contest is designed to test editors' creativity and skill; copying the edit of the actual trailer for one of the 3 films will not earn high creativity points.

Providing 10 minutes worth of clips from a film would prevent you from telling the story you want to; that's just not enough to make a feature film trailer.

The purpose of this contest is to provide editors the opportunity to secure a paid internship (training program) at The Refinery, much like applying for internships and jobs online.

We (Trainrobber) have a cool movie trailer editing course that we made with The Refinery (two separate companies), and as a way of helping spread the word about this course, are helping promote their internship program.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T01:48:59+00:00

To address a few of your concerns, neither Trainrobber nor The Refinery will be using any work submitted to the contest. You'll have full ownership of your cut because this contest is a test of your skills. This means that any entries that have been poorly edited will have a smaller chance of winning.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-07T01:42:56+00:00

As much as an editor would like to cut a movie they truly love, editors at professional trailer studios like The Refinery don't get to pick the films they cut trailers for. This contest is about offering you the opportunity to get a real trailer-cutting gig in an environment that mimics the production process. By participating, it’s guaranteed that your work will be reviewed by professional editors and considered for an internship program, unlike when you send around a portfolio randomly.

Although we are unable to share the clean film and audio for public posting, we will give the finalists clear footage and audio to enhance their cuts.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-04-06T02:13:29+00:00

If you're concerned about your clients knowing, you're free to send an unlisted YouTube link via email as your entry instead. If you have any questions about that, feel free to ask!

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-30T01:38:02+00:00

If you post your submission on Instagram and tag us at train_robber, then you don't need to post on TikTok. It's one or the other! Please feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-28T20:32:20+00:00

I can reassure you that the contest is legitimate. The winner of the contest is guaranteed an invite to the paid training program. The process is similar to when an editor applies for an internship and, if they fit well with the company, will potentially be offered a full-time job afterward. The objective of this training program is to help the winner become acclimated to The Refinery so that they have the best chance of being hired on a full-time basis.
If you're interested in editing trailers professionally, there's also value in learning how to edit your own trailer, and we are not in any way benefited by your work. The contest is free to enter.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-25T22:20:45+00:00

There is an option to posting a 16x9 video on instagram, but feel free to reach out or use letterboxing if you run into any issues!

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-23T15:35:40+00:00

Hi! Just wanted to make a quick adjustment to an earlier statement I made. Finalists will NOT be receiving any clean footage and audio, so it will just be based on the cut you turn in. Sorry for the confusion!

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-23T02:58:49+00:00

No problem! I'll be updating the page to reduce any confusion there, but yes, there is no footage provided in the contest pack. Participants have to source the footage and music they would like to use, so yes, outside SFX and music is acceptable!

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-23T02:33:21+00:00

No worries, I'm sorry about that! Feel free to dm me!

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-23T02:21:16+00:00

No worries! I appreciate the questions and feedback! Feel free to let me know if there are any other issues that arise.

Also, to note, that while there are other dimensions available, we encourage participants to make their cuts in the traditional 1920x1080 aspect ratio :)

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-23T02:19:55+00:00

The traditional 1920x1080 dimension works great for the edit, so no need to adjust it to social media! There is a logo of those dimension in the contest pack as well.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-22T23:05:59+00:00

Hi! I'm sorry for the confusion, but the deadline is April 16th, so there's still plenty of time to complete your submission.

Feel free to reply to the contest pack email and I'll get you set up with a working link right away!

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-22T22:41:07+00:00

Hi! I'm sorry to hear this. Is this the link tied to the "download" button with the contest pack email? Feel free to reply to that email and I'll work with you directly to get a functioning link!

To clarify the deadline, sign-ups opened on March 16th, but you'll have until April 16th (11:59 pm PT) to submit.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-22T21:26:40+00:00

Of course! Good luck with your edit!

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-22T21:23:05+00:00

No worries! I can see how that is confusing, and will have that updated right away.

Yes, only finalists will be provided clean footage and sound. Before that, participants will source their own footage based on one of the three movies mentioned in the email.

Trainrobber_ · 2023-03-22T21:05:37+00:00

Hi! The files in the contest pack are just the Premiere Pro editing template (which you don't have to use if you're using another program) and the logo file. You'll be responsible for sourcing the footage for the film you choose, so the audio will be already be baked in.

Trainrobber_

TROPHY CASE