SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Flash Player:
- Flash 8.0+ is required to watch videos and animation on AtomFilms. Get the latest version of Flash Player — it's a free download from Adobe.
Operating Systems:
- Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- Mac OSX+
Browsers:
- Internet Explorer 6.0+
- Netscape 8.0+
- FireFox 1.5+
- Safari 1.3+
*Note: On all browsers, you must have JavaScript enabled and cookies turned on!
Internet Connection:
- AtomFilms is best experienced with DSL, Cable Modem or LAN.
FILMS NOT PLAYING
If you're experiencing trouble watching content, you may have an outdated Flash Player on your computer. We recommend you get the latest version of Flash Player 8.0+ — it's a free download from Adobe.
Ad blocking software (including Norton Internet Security) can prevent the AtomFilms Player from loading. Please temporarily disable Ad Blocking.
Norton Internet Security sometimes prevents the Microsoft Windows Media Player from loading. You must temporarily disable the 'Security' option in Norton. Note: if you have any additional security or firewall software, try temporarily disabling it.
Popup blockers are now included in many browsers, ISP's and browser toolbars and prevent the AtomFilms Player from appearing. Please disable pop-up blocking or allow pop-ups from www.atomfilms.com.
Browser security settings should be set to 'default' security and privacy settings. At a minimum, please check to make sure Java/JavaScript is enabled in your browser's preferences, and check that cookies are enabled in your browser's preferences.
*After following any of the troubleshooting tips above, please clear your browser's cache!
FREE MEMBERSHIP
What do AtomFilms members get?
- Access to our entire film library in glorious, DVD-quality full-screen!
- Share and embed their own custom channel with friends.
- Upload Films
- Great prize giveaways!
How do I change my password?
Sign in to AtomFilms and click on the 'PROFILE' link located at the top right corner of all the AtomFilms pages. On your My AtomFilms page, click the 'change password' link.
I forgot my password!
Go to our Sign-In page and click on the 'forgot password' link below the 'Members Sign-In' pod. Provide us with the email address you used to register with AtomFilms and we'll send you an email reminder.
UPLOAD FILMS
Video uploads we support (files need to be under 100Mbytes)
- QuickTime (.mov, .qt, .mp4, .3gp, .3g2)
- MPEG (.mpg, .mpeg, .mp2)
- Windows Media (.wmv, .asf)
- AVI (.avi)
- DV (.dv)
Flash uploads we support (files need to be under 20Mbytes)
- We support all versions of Flash .swf files (We do not support .fla, .flv, .sit, or .exe files).
- Please only upload self-contained Flash .swf files. Please don't call another .swf movie or assets from another site.
- We recommend using relative links within your Flash .swf file.
- Place a rectangle with your background color in a layer as AtomFilms defaults all Flash movie backgrounds to dark grey.
- Please do not insert actions or auto-redirects that call URLS or pop-ups.
- Put a pre-loader on your Flash file
How long does it take to upload?
- A fast internet connection & a small media file = quick.
- A slow internet connection & a big media file = be patient.
What happens after I upload?
Your film will be reviewed by our content team. If we're a good match, you could earn some cold, hard cash.
Legal Tips
If you are making a short video or animation, and plan on releasing it commercially, there are a number of legal and business issues you should consider. Here is some helpful information that will make the process easier.
Don't let the paperwork scare you off — this is not as hard as it sounds. And, if you did not follow all the instructions here when producing your film, feel free to submit it anyway. If we would like to sign your film, we will advise you on what needs to be done in order to clear it for online broadcast and distribution.
Copyrights
One of the most important things you can do is copyright your film. When your film is copyrighted, you are protected from infringement. That means other people can't use your material without your permission or claim it as their own creation. Also, many distributors will want to know that you own the copyright for your work.
- You can get information about applying for a US copyright and download forms here:
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-register.html - Keep in mind the copyright takes a few months to process! Make sure to keep a few copies of your application for your records
Talent Releases
If you are working with other actors or writers on your film, you need to get their consent if you want to release the film commercially — that is, if you ever want to get paid. Try to do this before (or during) production if at possible. Trust us, it's a lot easier to get an actor (or writer or musician) to sign an agreement with you before or during filming. But if you have already made your film, don't despair — this kind of stuff isn't impossible to track down after you're done.
- Actors
- Ask each member of your cast to sign an actor release form. You might need it at some point and better now than never. Even if every person in your film is a friend or relative, get a release! You'll pat yourself on the back later.
- Maybe you're an animator who doesn't use live actors. But do you use their voices? Get an actor release. Voiceovers are considered acting.
- Writers
- How about the script? If you didn't write it, get a writer's release from the author. Again, this will save you time and energy later.
Music Rights
Music can help bring your film to life. Can you imagine "Garden State" without The Shins? Well, if you also can't imagine your opening scene without The Shins, think again. Unless you are related to the band, you're probably not going to get permission to use it. The good news is that you probably already knew that and found someone else to do your music.
The Signature Sound Web site contains a good, straightforward explanation of music licensing requirements. Click here for more.
Want to see what the forms look like? Check out these samples:
DISCLAIMER: The forms presented here are for illustrative purposes and may or may not be used at the filmmaker's discretion. Atom Entertainment is in no way making any legal representations about the type or content of releases that you as an individual filmmaker should have for your project. All filmmakers are encouraged to seek their own legal counsel for advice on any or all clearance matters.
Back To TopSHARE MY CHANNEL
Your Channel URL
Click the 'Share Channel' button within My Channel and copy the URL link and paste it into an email or IM. Then send.
SHARE FILMS
We offer a bunch of powerful ways to share your favorite films. On every individual film page, you'll find the following sharing tools:
Film URL
Copy the URL link from the clip's player page and paste it into an email or your IM.
Share Film
To email a film link to your friends, click the film's title to go to its landing page. Beneath the player window, you'll see an area containing the film's URL. Copy and paste that URL into an email or IM (those buttons reside
below the URL area).
EMBED FILMS
Embed our films directly onto your own website, community profile, or blog. Here are some simple instructions for embedding our films on some of the more popular community and blog sites:
MySpace.com
- Copy the snippet of 'Embed Film' code on the clip player page.
- Go to MySpace, log in and select 'edit profile'.
- Click 'Edit' next to the text field that corresponds to the location you'd like the video clip to appear.
- Paste the AtomFilms embed player code.
- Select the 'Preview' button to make sure it works and then 'Submit'.
Hi5.com
- Copy the snippet of 'Embed Film' code on the clip player page.
- Go to Hi5, log in, select My Profile and click 'Edit'.
- Paste the AtomFilms embed player code in the text field that corresponds to the location you'd like the video clip to appear.
- Select the 'Save Profile' button and select 'View' to see the clips on your profile.
Xanga.com
- Copy the snippet of 'Embed Film' code on the clip player page.
- Go to Xanga and log in. Select 'Your profile' or 'Account info'.
- Paste the AtomFilms embed player code in the text field that corresponds to the location you'd like the video clip to appear.
- Select the 'Save Changes' button and click 'View Public Profile' to see the clips on your Xanga site.
Friendster.com
- Copy the snippet of 'Embed Film' code on the clip player page.
- Go to Friendster and log in. Select 'My Profile' and click on 'edit profile'.
- Select the Customize tab.
- Paste the AtomFilms embed player code in the text field that corresponds to the location you'd like the video clip to appear.
- Select the 'Save' button and click 'View your profile now' to see the clips on your Friendster profile.
Blogger.com
- Copy the snippet of 'Embed Film' code on the clip player page.
- Go to Blogger and log in.
- Select 'new post' and write your post.
- Select the 'Edit HTML' tab in the post editing window.
- Paste the AtomFilms embed player code where you want the video clip to appear.
- Select 'Publish Post' and click 'View Blog'.
*Note: Some community and blog sites aren't friendly with embedded players. In these cases, we recommend you use the Film URL.
DOWNLOAD FILMS
We provide hi-res versions of our films as free downloads for your iPod, PSP or PC/MAC! To see all of the films currently available, please visit the Films To Go section on AtomFilms.
To play our PC/MAC film downloads on your Windows or Mac OSX computer, we recommend the Quicktime Player. Get the latest version of Quicktime Player — it's a free download from Apple.
Our film downloads come compressed as '.zip' files for quicker downloads. If your computer does not recognize this file type, we recommend the following software::
- WinZip for Windows
- StuffIt Expander for Macintosh
ITUNES PODCAST
Take AtomFilms with you on your iPod! Visit our iTunes Podcast page located in the Films To Go section of AtomFilms. Click on the 'Get your free Podcast' button to launch your iTunes Application. Then, click the 'Subscribe' to add the AtomFilms Podcast to your iTunes.
Back To TopRSS FEEDS
RSS is a great way to stay up-to-date when new content launches on AtomFilms. Many newer web browsers and free software allow you to subscribe to RSS feeds. Click here to see all of our RSS feeds.
Back To TopMATURE FILMS
There are shorts on AtomFilms that aren't appropriate for everyone. These films are labeled as 'Mature' across the site, and they are intended for adult audiences only. We use the rating system created by the Internet Content Rating Association.
Back To TopUPLOADING VIDEOS WITH MAXIMUM QUALITY
Upload a master file that will be compressed, so send the highest quality that fits within the 200MB size limit.
If you upload a highly compressed video, there is little quality left to be encoded to the second time.
AtomUploads converts everything that is uploaded to Flash video at 480 x 360.
Use any application or encoder that exports to .mp4 with H.264 video.
Export your master (the best file you have of your video) to MPEG-4 with:
- H.264 video at 2000Kbits/sec (2Mbits/sec)
- 480x360 video size (deinterlaced /one field)
- Audio uncompressed or AAC with at least 128 Kbit/sec
- 30 (29.97) Frames per second (fps)
- 4:3 aspect ratio (letterbox if necessary)
- Best Encoding Quality (mulitpass/2 pass if possible)
CONTACT US
If you need support regarding site-related issues, please use our Contact Us form.
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