2003 Videomaker/Panasonic Short Video Contest Winners

The stage was set when the July 2003 issue of Videomaker landed on newsstands and in mailboxes. When the contest closed, we had received ninety-one entries. We proceeded to fire up our VCRs, DVD players, camcorders and Web browsers. As always, we enjoyed watching the fruits of our readers' labor. When the smoke cleared, our winners stood out from the crowd, with some of the most interesting video we've seen to date. With this, we welcome the latest members to the elite group of Videomaker Panasonic Short Video Contest winners.

Title: Malignant Night
Prize: ADS Pyro A/V Link Analog-to-FireWire Converter ($279)
Producers: Josh Murdy, Andover, MN
Camcorder: Sony CCD-TRV67
Editor: Adobe Premiere 6.5
View this video: 1.6mb wmv, 5.8mb wmv
Malignant Night was a notable DVD submission, adding some features that are most commonly associated with Hollywood DVDs. The disc was authored with Pinnacle Impression and includes some interactive functions, including a simple game. Hats off to Josh for pushing the limits of his DVD authoring software.
Other Finalists
Be Careful What You Wish For-Russel Heimlich, Laurel, MD
Life's Angst (Funny)-Peter Williams, Sitka, AK

Title: Christmas in Shanghai
Prize: Roadwired Photo/Video Pro Bag, Cable Stable and @ttache Laptop Bag ($350)
Producer: David Ozmun, Arkadelphia, AR
Camcorder: Canon GL2
Editor: Avid Xpress DV
View this video: 3.0mb wmv, 12.5mb wmv
David Ozmun, mass communications faculty member at Ouachita Baptist University, chronicles a trip made with a University singing group to observe the remarkably Western Christmas festivities in Shanghai. We also found it striking that Ozmun reported having no problems traveling with video equipment or shooting in China.
Other Finalists
Midnight Mantas-Lynn French, Hughson, CA
Beyond the Untold Story-Ron Bullock, Oshkosh, WI

Title: The Breakup Film
Prize: Bogen 700RC2, 756BK Video Kit ($404)
Producer: Bobby Miller, Newfield, NJ
Camcorder: Sony DCR-VX2000
Editor: Adobe Premiere 6.0
View this video: 1.4mb wmv, 7.2mb wmv
The Breakup Film is a parody of 1950s-era instructional film on "Losing the One You Love". The use of black and white really helps to set off this very funny video, which includes such disparate things as a rabbit with surgical bandages, a floating clock, and self-deprecating voice-over talent.

Title: Tears in the Rain
Prize: Trilab Digital Hotcakes Grand Slam ($579)
Producer: Rob Roy, Hudson, NH
Camcorder: Sony DCR-TRV330
Editor: Adobe Premiere 6.5
View this video: 2.0mb wmv, 11.4mb wmv
DVD authored with Ulead DVD Movie Factory
Here's a case for the use of video as therapy: Rob Roy is a singer-songwriter who wrote Tears in the Rain to express his feelings after his father passed away. A chromakey effect was utilized for some shots to enhance the appropriately dark, yet sometimes dreamlike video.
Other Finalists
Three Hearts-Edward Peirce, Reedsville, WV
Terminus Est-Per Malm, Cedar Rapids, IA

Title: A Fistful of Diapers
Prize: Pinnacle Edition ($699)
Producer: Dale Whiting, Colorado Springs, CO
Camcorder: Panasonic PV-DV52
Editor: Adobe Premiere 6.0
View this video: 0.8mb wmv, 3.6mb wmv
A great choice of music that conjures images of the Old West sets off A Fistful of Diapers. Dale Whiting worked with Michael Fleming on last year's Second Prize winner, Acron7m. It's a very funny tale of two dueling dads who find themselves at opposite ends of a changing table, tending to their respective infants' needs while competing with each other.