The 2005 Videomaker/Digital Juice Short Video Contest

As in years past, some of our readers shared their video production talents with us. Our initial impression: wow. The quality of the video that we received this year absolutely blew us away. We had a difficult (but enjoyable) time picking out this year's winners. So without further ado, here are the winners of the 2005 Videomaker/Digital Juice Short Video Contest.

Best Expermental Videos - Working Nightmare

Levi Taylor
Anchorage, AK
Camcorder: Sony 8mm
Editing software: Adobe Premiere 6.0
Prize: Roadwired Skooba Satchel ($100)

A bleak look at the life of a working stiff. If you've ever felt like your weeks go by faster and faster as you get busier and busier, you will definitely sympathize with Taylor's character in Working Nightmare.

Best Young Videographer - Sorry

Hodges Usry
Augusta, GA
Camcorder: Panasonic AG-DVX100
Editing software: Sony Vegas 5.0
Prize: Ulead DVD Workshop 2 ($395)

A disadvantaged boy is pushed too far in this tragic video. Hodges filled all of the crew positions by himself over two days of shooting. He used local talent, including fourteen kids as extras on a school bus, and his own father played the father in this video.

Best Commercial/PSA - Tallberg-Respect

Richard Hartwell and Mike Harrington
Petoskey, MI
Camcorder: Canon GL1
Editing software: Adobe Premiere 6.5
Prize: Music 2 Hues - 4 Flagship Collection Music Library CDs ($125)

This commercial was both shot and edited by Hartwell, who used his friends and family as talent. One zoom effect was facilitated with a remote lens control, and the audio was provided by a local audio producer. The :30 spot appeared on local cable in northern Michigan.

Best Documentary - AKA Donut Dollies

Jack Schell
Gun Barrel City, TX
Scanner: Microtek 900
Editing software: Sony Vegas+DVD 6
Prize: Bogen Manfrotto 745B Tripod with 701RC2 Head ($408)

A tribute to the Donut Dollies, a corps of female Red Cross volunteers who served in Vietnam. The documentary consisted of many still images, which were touched up using Corel PhotoPaint. The project took about three full weeks of scanning, photo editing, video editing and compositing.

Best Training Video - Theatrical Lighting Basics

Kade Mendelowitz
Fairbanks, AK
Camcorder: Sony DSR-PD150
Editing software: Adobe Premiere 6.5
Prize: Tenba TriPak Case for Tripods and Light Stands ($185)

A well-executed training video that concisely illustrates the best way to set up lighting for theatrical productions. The use of picture-in-picture closeups clearly shows the procedures to use to get the lighting effects you need.

Best Drama/Action Video - Unplanned

Stephen Strosin
Los Angeles, CA
Camcorder: Canon XL2
Editing software: Apple Final Cut Pro 3
Prize: Lite-On LVW 5045 DVD Recorder ($449)

Unplanned is a tragic, cautionary tale of what happens when someone is too quick to judge what is really going on. The shooting took place over a day and a half.

Best Comedy - Baby Max Beer Hunter

Ron Bullock
Oshkosh, WI
Camcorder: Panasonic AG-DVX100
Editing system: MacroSystem Casablanca Solitaire
Prize: PixelPops PopDrops DVD Menu and Packaging Templates ($230)

A very funny story about hunting in the upper Midwest, complete with a Conan O'Brien-style superimposed mouth on Baby Max.