We are calling for submissions of digital, creative, moving image projects for Time Capsule 2050: A Digital Message to the Future. 

Submissions will imagine and predict what the world will be like in 2050, and will send a message to the future. Submissions must be fully completed, digital moving image works with sound, and can take the form of live action and virtual production movies, animations, games, AR/VR/XR, and immersive cinematic installations.

  purpose  

The Time Capsule 2050 project gives contributors an opportunity to crystallize, document and share their forecast for the future. 

When the contents of the Time Capsule are shared in 2050, viewers will have a glimpse of how the future appeared to the contributors 25 years ago. This project presents an opportunity for dialogue between different eras and generations.

   Eligibilty  

Time Capsule projects must be created entirely by USC students who are enrolled during the spring, summer, and/or fall semester(s) of 2024. Students who graduate in May of 2024 are eligible.  

USC students may work collaboratively in small teams of 2-4 or individually. While we encourage USC students from all schools, majors, undergrad, grad, or PhD, and diverse voices and perspectives, we recommend that you include at least one SCA student or '24 alumnx on your core team. Teams of students representing different SCA majors are also highly encouraged.  

Eligible projects must be completed during 2024. The copyright year should be 2024. Media projects created as assignments for USC classes held in spring, summer, or fall of 2024 are eligible, if they meet the judging criteria below. 

You may submit more than one project to the Time Capsule. 

  SUBMISSION CATEGORIES  

Your submission must fall into one or more of the following categories:

• animated short (1-5 minutes, fully rendered and colored, with sound. Any technique is acceptable: stop motion, mo-cap performance/real time, under the camera, 2D, 3D, mo-graph, VFX)

• game ( interactive, digital)

• live action short (from 1-15 minutes, with sound)

• VR/AR/XR project

• immersive cinematic installation

• hybrid of the above

• a new media platform not listed above

   Time CApsule SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE: Saturday, December  21, 5:00 PM (PST), 2024  

The final DEADLINE to submit projects (digital files) and supporting materials is December 21, 2024 at 5:00pm PST. Your project must be finished and not a work in progress. A finished project is defined as having final color, final animation, final rendering, final picture edit, final sound edit with stereo mix, and official USC and Time Capsule end credits. Games and VR projects must be playable on a personal computer. If you have any doubt as to whether your project is finished, please consult with the Time Capsule team before submission. Only digital files will be accepted. 

  Judging criteria  

The Time Capsule 2050 judges will review all submissions and will allow all projects meeting the criteria below to be uploaded into the Time Capsule in the USC Digital Repository.  

Selected projects will offer truly imaginative, creative predictions of one or more aspects of the world in 2050, including culture, AI, technology, environment, transportation, health, food, fashion, and entertainment that does not currently exist, but might in 25 years! Projects can be dystopic, utopic, apocalyptic, dream-like, experimental, hyper-real, abstract, documentary, mockumentary, comedy, science visualization, linear or non-linear narrative. 

Projects not meeting the above criteria, including unfinished projects (ie. no sound, rough animation, missing credits, non-functioning games, etc...) will not be selected for upload to the Time Capsule nor eligible for cash awards. 

  CASH AWARDS  

The judges will award several cash prizes up to $3000 for exceptional projects which display originality, technical innovation, and creativity in all aspects of the project, including but not limited to the concept, artwork, character design, sets, props, costumes, dialogue/language, VFX, sound design, score, interactivity and engagement, technology used to create the project, and the overall vision for the future.

  HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT  

To submit your project, please CLICK HERE and fill out the Submission Form. You will provide a link to your project in the form. The deadline to submit this form is December 21, 2024, 5:00pm PST. 

  Awards Screening and Sealing: Jan 31, 2025  

On January 31, 2025, we will host a screening, awards ceremony, and reception at USC in SCA 108. The selected projects will then be uploaded, “sealed,” and preserved in the Time Capsule at the USC Digital Repository until the year 2050. 

In 2050, the Time Capsule will be "opened" and a screening will take place at SCA. The future USC community will find a treasure trove containing the hopes, fears, and fantasies of our current generation.

  STAY INFORMED AND NETWORK WITH OTHERS  

Please join our mailing list to stay informed of upcoming deadlines and workshops.  Once you join the mailing list, we will invite you to the USC Time Capsule Slack Channel where you can meet other students interested in collaborating and where you might pitch your ideas and get feedback.

If you have questions please email us:

 Lisa Mann <emann@usc.edu> 

 Scott Mahoy <havenmahoy@gmail.com>