Visions is a new competition open to independent film-makers, films students and advertising agencies, giving then the chance to produce the sort of committed, controversial and uncompromising work that you usually only “dream of” and be recognised for it.

Sounds too good to be true? It probably is ... the rest of the industry is full of this type of hype, so why is this worth of some asci inches? Because you have nothing to loose, other than Channel 5 ripping off your script/storyboard ideas to fill in some slots between the soft porn film and the semi-soft porn film. But, isn’t that the whole point of these type of competitions? You send in your best ideas, they give one [unnamed friend of a friend of the promoter] person a Hi8 for the afternoon and then f*&k off with all your creative. Sounds great.

Sorry, we have nothing against “Visions” as “an opportunity to get your work seen and evaluated by some of the industry’s key decision makers, to have your film broadcast on Channel 5, win an award at the British Television Advertising Craft Awards and be featured in Creative Review.” But we do have problem with the general disregard for the individual’s rights as a film-maker. Give them a call and ask to see the terms of conditions for entry and you’ll see what we mean.

If you are still interested and some “throw aways” pilling up not doing very much, they are looking for scripts and/or storyboards for one-minute films covering one of the following themes; Community, Age, Respecting Difference, Environment and Visions of The Future.

Oh, and did we forget to mention that “entrants must be in a position to secure the production of the scripts shortlisted by the panel, although help is being offered with on-line editing.” Which means at least √Ǭ£15,000 if you’re going to do properly, which is exactly the size of a film students overdraft at this time of year, but don’t worry they will loan you a bugged out 7200av PowerMac with a hacked version of Premiere 4.2 to it edit on.