MEDIA:
Film,
Video and
Digital
Production
Discipline-Specific Guidelines
2021 Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship
The Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship in Media (including Film/Video and New Media) supports Minnesota or New York City-based film, video, digital production and new media artists, early in their careers, creating bold, innovative and risk-taking new work that challenges conventional artistic forms.
This program supports film directors working in animation, experimental, narrative, documentary. Please note: visual artists that work with film and/or video in an installation or gallery context should apply in Visual Arts. Choreographer or performance artists who are creating digital video versions or documentation of their work should apply in the primary discipline in which they typically work.
Please take the Eligibility Questionnaire to assess whether you meet the Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship eligibility criteria before reading through these further, discipline-specific requirements. You must meet all of the general eligibility requirements as well as those found in the Discipline-Specific Guidelines below, whether you are applying as an individual artist or as an ensemble/collective/collaborative.
Defining “Early Career”
Eligible applicants must have a sufficient body of completed work that a panel can use to assess your artistic development over time, dedication to the field and ongoing motivation to create new original work.
Early career artists:
- Have between 2 to 10 years of experience as a film/video director of animation, documentary, experimental, and/or narrative films/videos (excluding any time in a degree-granting program; as a director creating industrial/educational/commercial work-for-hire or focused on shooting, editing or producing the work of other filmmakers; or time away from working as an artist due to circumstances–e.g., having children, caring for family members, long-term illness, etc.).
Filmmakers who have been directing films for more than 10 years (excluding any time spent in a degree-granting program) are generally not eligible, even if they feel under-recognized. Filmmakers beyond 10 years in the field who wish to discuss eligibility—based on circumstances (whether personal or geographic) or on specific creative practice considerations (i.e., the scale of work and/or extended creative cycles necessary to complete a single work)—should contact Jerome program staff before April 15, 2020 to discuss eligibility in advance of submitting an application.
- Have 2 completed and publicly presented works. Works created and presented while in a degree-granting program are not eligible for meeting this requirement.
- Have at least 1 work on your resume/CV that has been supported by a presenting organization or funder (for a project grant from either a foundation or a federal, state or local arts agency). Self-presented work or work created and presented while in a degree-granting program is not eligible for meeting this requirement.
Panels rely on work samples and a resume/CV to assess the review criterion of artistic merit, impact and readiness. An artist’s application materials must demonstrate development over time, dedication to the field, craft and potential.
This is not an opportunity for beginning artists who have never completed their own film, whose generated new work has yet to be publicly screened, or without a sufficient body of completed work that a panel can use to assess your artistic development over time.
Age is not a factor in determining eligibility.
Artists who are mid-career or established are not eligible.
Artists will be considered beyond early career and ineligible if they have:
- Received consistent significant financial support for their artistic work from foundations and/or federal, state or local arts agencies for multiple different projects.
- Completed and distributed multiple feature films and are receiving consistent production opportunities.
- Garnered significant regional or national prizes or awards in recognition or support of the creation and/or public presentation and/or distribution of multiple different works, including but not limited to:
- National film festival award (from grand jury or audience)
- Award from the Directors Guild of America
- Receipt of an Oscar or a National Emmy Award
- National merit awards, such as United States Artist Award, Creative Capital Award, Princess Grace Statue Award
- Commercial distribution including but not limited to online distribution such as Netflix, etc.
Receipt of any one of these grants and awards does not make an artist ineligible—it is the receipt of multiple grants and awards for multiple projects that, taken as a whole, move an artist to mid-career or beyond.
- Achieved significant commercial success.
- Received recognition in the form of awards, commissions, residencies or funding opportunities that are specifically categorized as mid-career.
- Received awards or prizes based on or in recognition of significant cumulative career achievement (including but not limited to the Guggenheim, American Film Institute Award or the MacArthur Fellowship).
- Have a full-time tenured faculty position (or the equivalent).
Recognizing that different funders may define “mid-career” in different ways, artists who have received mid-career awards but believe they should still be considered by Jerome should seek guidance from staff before April 15, 2020, in advance of submitting an application.
Producers, editors or those in other development or technical roles with substantial recognition and lengthy careers supporting the films of others will generally be considered ineligible. Artists who want to discuss eligibility should contact Jerome program staff before April 15, 2020, in advance of submitting an application.
Mid-career or established artists from other fields will not be considered early career based on a recent shift to filmmaking. For example, a composer with a substantial career in music who is now moving into filmmaking will not be considered early career for the purposes of this Fellowship.
Ensemble/Collective/Collaborative/Co-Directors Eligibility
Ensembles/collectives/collaboratives/co-directors may submit a single application for 2-5 members, who will share the Fellowship funds equally. In order to submit an application, the ensemble/collective/collaborating/co-directing team must have a majority of members that meet all of the Fellowship eligibility requirements for artists applying individually and have a demonstrated history of creating new work collectively or as part of a collective entity. Only eligible ensemble/collective/collaborating/co-directing artists may be included in the application.
Please take the Eligibility Questionnaire to assess whether you meet the Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship eligibility criteria for ensembles/collectives/collaboratives/co-directors.
In the application, you must provide:
- 2 work samples, each from a different completed and publicly screened (versus rough cuts or works-in-progress) work that you have conceived, generated and publicly delivered as a generative artist. Eligible samples can include work that has been featured in online screening platforms as long as there is a competitive selection process. Use your most recent and strongest work. Panels prefer work created within the last 3 years. Older samples may be submitted with an explanation in the “work sample context” field. Work created and presented while in a degree-granting program is not eligible.
- You may submit a third work sample of a work-in-progress, especially if this is a project you would be pursuing during your Fellowship.
Work sample time maximum:
- 10 minutes for 2 publicly presented works
- 3 minutes for 1 work-in-progress
- 13 minutes total maximum
For example, you may submit one 6-minute sample of a completed and publicly screened work, a 4-minute sample of a different completed work, and a 3 minutes section from a work you are developing.
Submit your works in the order in which you would like them to be viewed, starting with your strongest sample. Panelists want to see a range of work demonstrating development over time, dedication to the field, craft and potential.
The applicant must be the director of all submitted samples.
If applying as an ensemble/collective/collaborative/co-director team, all of the work samples must be created and directed by the members of the group who are applying.
Do not submit promotional videos, proofs of concept, trailers, reels, or interviews. Panels prefer to see real-time sequences of work. The preference is that you submit links to the full-length work and provide a single cue point within the work for the panel to watch.
Jerome staff will assess whether your work samples are eligible for the panel to view.
Ineligible work samples include:
- work that you produced or edited or acted in and did not direct;
- industrials;
- music videos;
- projects created for contests;
- commercial or non-commercial work-for-hire that you created at the direction of a client or producer, even if this is commissioned work;
- work for which you do not have primary creative control;
- episodic or web-based series for which you are not the creator and director;
- news or video clips produced for journalistic purposes;
- any work created while in a degree-granting program.
For each work sample in the application, you will provide the following required information:
- Vimeo or YouTube URL: artists are encouraged to provide a link to the full-length work used for the work samples. This provides panelists the opportunity to view more of the work if they so choose.
- Vimeo password, if applicable
- Work Sample Description, listing:
- Name of the Work
- Date Completed
- When and where the work was screened
- Your Role in the Work Sample
- If you were solely the director, enter “director”
- If you played multiple roles, list all of the roles you played in the creation of the work. For example, “camera operator, editor, producer.”
- Cue point for the Work Sample
- Indicate your start and stop time for the excerpt (e.g., “Start at 3:30 and end at 8:00”). If no start and stop time is provided, panelists will begin watching at the beginning.
- Do not submit more than one sequence/cue point per sample (e.g., Do not “Start at 1:00 to 1:30 then jump to 2:45 to 3:45”—panelists want to see uninterrupted sequences of work in real time).
- The total time of your excerpts for all samples combined is 13 minutes (not 13 minutes per work).
- Work Sample Excerpt Context
- Provide up to 150 words (recommended length) to give panelists a precise context for what they are watching. This can include a brief description of the entire piece, any important information about sections of the work occurring either before or after your clip that you want them to know, or your intentions and goals in creating the piece. If you are sharing a virtual reality or multi-channel project and submitting a single-channel video as documentation, explain to the panel how the viewing experience is different. If you’d like panelists to pay attention to specific elements of your work, this is also where you might instruct them to do so. Given the panelist preference for recent work, if you are submitting work samples that are older than 3 years, please explain why.
Applicants who cannot provide the minimum amount of requested work samples leave the panel without enough information to gauge whether the applicant is truly competitive. Applicants who cannot meet the minimum requirement will be eliminated from consideration.
Panels rely on the resume/CV to evaluate how your artistic background demonstrates development over time, dedication to the field, ongoing motivation in the creation of new, original work in your artistic field over a multi-year period and your readiness for a two-year fellowship.
To meet eligibility requirements, you must have at least 1 work on your resume/CV that has been screened by a presenting organization or supported by a funder (for a project grant from either a foundation or a federal, state or local arts agency). Work that has been self-presented or work created and presented while in a degree-granting program is not eligible for this requirement.
Staff will assess your resume/CV to make sure you are eligible for the panel to review. Any applicant whose resume does not clearly establish eligibility will be eliminated for further consideration at the prescreening stage.
Resume/CVs should be current and complete. Bios are not acceptable. The Jerome staff and panel will not do research to determine your role(s), release date, running time, dates in degree programs, etc.
The resume is your chance to present and confirm your status as an early career filmmaker with a history of ultimate creative control over projects, artistic development over time, dedication to the field, and ongoing motivation in the creation of new, original work. For that reason, applicants need to be specific about clearly listing your directing work separate from other work and opportunities.
A sample individual filmmaker resume is available for your reference.
Individual Artist Resumes/CVs should include the following:
- Publicly Screened Directed Film/Video Work: listing of publicly screened work, include all presented and self-produced work.
- Name of the work and running time
- Date when completed film was first publicly screened
- Where the work has screened (please list 3 or 4 representative locations and summarize other screenings—see example below).
- If you played multiple roles beyond director, list all of the roles you played in the creation of the work. For example, “director, editor, actor.”
- Provide a short (1–3 -sentence) summary of the work.
Example: Beach (82-minute feature documentary), 2017, feature length documentary investigating the water rights in northern Minnesota. Film was supported by Funder A in 2017, winning Best Documentary Feature at Festival A (City) and Festival B (City). Has screened at 12 cinemas nationally, including Venue A (City), Venue B (City) and Venue C (City).
Dream House (12-minute experimental short), 2015, experimental film exploring memory and architecture. The film had its premiere in 2015 at Festival A (City) and was a recipient of grant from Funder A (Program A). Screened at Venue A (City), Venue B (City) and Venue C (City).
- Work in Development: provide the work, date, short description
Example: The Hoax (documentary short), 2021, currently in production. This film explores a controversial land use scandal in the southwest United States.
- Education: list any dates when you were enrolled in degree program/s
Example: University A, MFA in Film & Media Production, 2010-2012
College A, BA in Literature, 2006-2010
- Fellowships & Awards: list name of award, date, amount and the project
Example: [name of fellowship or award], [year], [amount of award or fellowship stipend], [length of fellowship], [name of project, if relevant]
- Grants: list name of grant, date, amount and the project
Example: [name of grant], [year], [amount of grant], [name of project, if relevant]
- Residencies: list name of residency, date, length of residency
Example: [name of residency], [year], [length of residency], [name of project, if relevant]
- Other Professional Film Work: list name of project, date completed or premiered, location of premiere, role on project, and director
Example: Dear Dictator, premiered at Festival A, USA 2018. Producer of short documentary directed by Taylor Salas.
Shallows, premiered at Festival B, USA 2018. Edited short narrative directed by JD Westman.
High and Mighty, regional premiere at Festival C, MN, 2012. Edited feature documentary directed by Mara Lopez.
- Film Distribution History: list name of film, date of release, name of distributor, distribution terms
Example: [Name of film], [date of release], [name of distributor], distribution terms (i.e., all media worldwide).
- Teaching: list name of class, location, city, year, length of class
Example: [Co-Director Names] taught [name of class], Venue A (city), [year], [length of class, e.g. “1-week intensive” or “12 weeks”]
- Additional relevant categories: Please include any additional categories, including curatorial experience, selected critical reviews, press and publications, etc., that you usually include on your resume.
Ensemble/Collective/Collaborative/Co-Director Resumes/CVs:
Artists applying as an ensemble/collective/collaborative/co-directing team should submit a resume of the collaborative work in addition to individual resumes of the artists applying. The collaborative information is the same format as that requested from individual artist applicants, just specific to the co-creators applying.
A sample collaborative resume is available for your reference.
The collaborative resume should include:
- Publicly Screened Directed Film/Video Work: listing of publicly screened work created by the co-directors in the application, include all screened, commissioned and self-produced work.
- Name of the work and running time
- Date when completed film was first publicly screened
- Where the work has screened (please list 3 or 4 representative locations—see example below).
- List the roles of the collective members. If collective members applying play multiple generative roles beyond co-directing, list all of the roles applicants played in the creation of the work. See example below.
- Provide a short (1–3 sentence) summary of the work
Example: One Day (82-minute documentary), US premiere in 2019 at Film Festival A. This feature length documentary follows a day in the life of several “Dreamers” navigating their uncertain legal status. Film was supported by Funder A in 2017 and won Best Documentary Feature at Festival A (City).
Windsor Terrace (web series, 8 three-minute episodes), 2015, Web series highlighting the life experiences of a tight-knit group of friends living and working in Brooklyn. Co-directors Lopez and Greene also produced this series and Lopez edited the episodes.
- Work in Development: provide the work, date, short description
Example: Making It Rain (2021-narrative feature in production), Currently in pre-production, this film is a comedic story of a basketball game where the benchwarmer comes to the court and makes basket after basket. Co-directed by Lopez and Greene.
- Fellowships & Awards: list name of award, date, amount and the project
Example: [name of fellowship or award], [year], [amount of award or fellowship stipend], [length of fellowship], [name of project, if relevant]
- Grants: list name of grant, date, amount and the project
Example: [name of grant], [year], [amount of grant], [name of project, if relevant]
- Residencies: list name of residency, date, length of residency
Example: [name of residency], [year], [length of residency], [name of project, if relevant]
- Other Professional Film/Video Work: list name of project, date completed or premiered, location of premiere, role on project, and director
Example: Simple, directed by Artist A, 2016. I am acting in this feature-length narrative.
Video installation, Gone, exhibited at Gallery A in 2014. This was a 3-channel video piece I co-directed and edited with Artist A.
- Film Distribution History: list name of film, date of release, name of distributor, distribution terms
Example: [Name of film], [date of release], [name of distributor], distribution terms (i.e., all media worldwide).
- Teaching: list name of class, location, city, year, length of class
Example: [Co-Director’s names] taught [name of class], Venue A (city), [year], [length of class, e.g. “1-week intensive” or “12 weeks”]
- Additional relevant categories: Please include any additional categories, including acting, publications, lectures, curatorial experience, etc., that you usually include on your co-director/collective resume.
Note: if the ensemble/collective/collaborative/co-directing team includes members that are not Jerome-eligible or not included in the application, but those artists were involved in the production of the works included on the collaborative resume, please note this on the collaborative resume.
Example: Window Child (14-minute experimental), 2015, Experimental short film combining stop-motion animation with hand drawn film. Window Child explores memory, childhood and family. Has screened at Venue A (City), Venue B (City) and Venue C (City). Co-directors Lopez and Greene also produced this film and Lopez edited and did all of the animation.
