Your team is now the vanguard of social networks, with brand new startups targeted at dinosaurs, hermits, peer reviewing, and of course, serial killers.
Who is to say whether or not your startup/olympics team will succeed or fail? Nothing can tell but time. It is advised, then, that you come up with some appropriately exciting mythology for the start as soon as you can. Did it start when two dinosaurs both saw they were friends with Tom and wanted something more special? When two hermits saw each other in distant caves facing the same mountain? When you got your umpteenth nasty review back? Or when two serial killers had a meeting of the minds and severed body parts?
Your task is to produce a video that depicts the beginning, whatever form it takes. Use your most Sorkin-esque banter, and don't forget that math on see-through whiteboards is always a hit.
You may choose any format you wish: a documentary film, a reality TV show, news segments, a rap battle, etc (in fact, we'd love to see a rap battle). Whatever you choose, it should highlight the beginning of your social network in dramatic and/or comedic form.
The film competition is traditionally the biggest event in the Olympics, and the team that wins this event generally brings home the grand prize. Really, though, this is an opportunity to have a lot of fun. Check out some of the previous years' entries for inspiration. Oh, and start early! It always takes more time than you think.
Video Requirements:
- Maximum length 2min 30sec, but shorter is fine.
- Videos must be submitted DRM-free in a suitable file format posted online and e-mailed to Katrina [kp@mit.edu], Leilani Battle [leibatt@mit.edu] and Sudeep Pillai [spillai@mit.edu] by NOON on MONDAY, January 28th. The viewing of the films will be later that day at the closing ceremony.
- Best Film, voted overall winner [150pts for first place, 100pts for second place; 50pts for third place]
- Best Actor: [25 pts]
- Best Special Effects or Animation [25 pts]
- Best Soundtrack or Musical Performance [25 pts]
- Getting team members to appear in your video: [4pts per team member]
- Getting team members to sing/rap in your video: [4pts per team member]
- Getting a CSAIL professor to participate in your video: [8pts per professor]
- Getting a CSAIL professor to participate in your video saying "A million dollars isn't cool. You know what's cool? A billion dollars.": [16pts per professor]