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2013 marks the 20th anniversary of The X-Files. A variety of events have already been announced to pay homage to what is, without a doubt, one of the most important and groundbreaking productions in the history of Television.

On May 19th, 2013, eleven years since the show aired its last episode, the Art Directors Guild Film Society joins the celebration, alongside the American Cinematheque and The Hollywood Reporter for a big screen experience to be held at the iconic Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles.

In an event moderated by production designer John Muto (Home Alone, River’s Edge, Terminator 2 3-D) attendees will enjoy a presentation of the art and design of The X-Files, a screening of the episodes “Je Souhaite” and “Sunshine Days” and the piece of resistance of the night, a conversation with the series’ production designer Corey Kaplan (The X-Files, Scandal, Cold Case, Robbery Homicide Division) writer-producer-director Vince Gilligan (The X-Files, Breaking Bad, The Lone Gunmen, Harsh Realm) and Creator-Writer-Producer-Director Chris Carter (The X-Files, Harsh Realm, Millennium, The Lone Gunmen)

Do you want to be part of this celebration? X-Files News has the EXCLUSIVE privilege to collaborate with this exciting event, and with it a chance for you to be part of it.

Details after the jump!

 

 

Inspired by the creative vein of these wonderful artists, here’s what you have to do:

The contest:

  • Write a review of one of the episodes of the list (500 words maximum).
    • (1x07) Ice
    • (2x17) End Game
    • (2x23) Soft Light
    • (3x17) Pusher
    • (4x03) Home
    • (5x06) Post-Modern Prometheus
    • (6ABx03) Triangle
    • (7ABx21) Je Souhaite
    • (8ABx14) This Is Not Happening
    • (9ABx18) Sunshine Days
    • (09x19-09x20) The Truth
  • The review must about the art and design of the episode.
    • What was impressive or different about it?
    • How did it help you understand the episode?
    • Extra points if you investigate how scientific research helped the design team!

For example, here’s a review for Season 6’s “Field Trip”:

“To understand the effect of the giant mushroom on its victims, it was really important for me to feel threatened and disgusted by it. The design and special effects of it, as it attacked Mulder and Scully making them believe that they were in different realities, was crucial for the story to progress. It called out to elements that would make the bravest fan cringe on their seat.

The design of the cave that Mulder follows the victim into was also important for me, as this is a piece of reality seen through his eyes. For him, everything is related to aliens as the biggest threat, so it looked almost as if it belonged in another planet.

Another aspect of design that I liked was ‘Mulder’s Funeral’ – where his apartment is staged as his wake. Things seemed out of place and stagey, as if this wasn’t actually his apartment, something that made me suspect that this wasn’t the reality but a hallucination.”

This is just a short example. Language can be as simple or as complex as you desire.

Prizes:

  • Ten reviews will be selected out of the submissions.
  • The ten winner reviews will be published on our website as part of a special feature in May 2013.
  • The ten winning authors will receive passes to attend the event with a guest. (The event takes place at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles on May 19th, 2013. XFN only provides passes to the event. Winners will provide their own transportation and lodging).

Rules:

  • Reviews have to be submitted by April 30th, 2013 at 11:59 PM PST to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Length of the review MUST NOT EXCEED the 500 words limit.
  • Reviews must be included as part of the text of the email sent, not on a separate file.
  • Nom the Plume or aliases can be used if you prefer to not disclose your name at the moment of publishing the review, but winners will have to provide their real name if they’re selected, for verification purposes.
  • Only the selected reviews will be part of the featured article on XFN. If a review is selected, the winner must verify acceptance of the prize and release rights to XFN to use the winning review in said article within the next three calendar days after receiving notice. Failure to comply will automatically disqualify you and a different winner will be selected.
  • An author can submit multiple reviews, but only one review per episode. An author will only be picked as a winner once.
  • XFN only provides the admission ticket to the winner and guest. Lodging and transportation have to be provided by the winner.

Tickets will also be for sale at the American Cinematheque website soon. Stay tuned for updates.

Best of luck to all participants!