Bert Kersey
Fallbrook, CA
Camcorder: Sony DCR-TRV900
Editing Software: Apple Final Cut Express
Prize: Pinnacle Studio Plus Titanium 10.5 ($100)

A funny production complete with backwards effects (something he has been doing for some 30 years), Kersey shot video of himself for Side Effects. Additional rotoscoping was done in Photoshop.

Andrew Lam
San Jose, CA
Camcorder: Canon XL1
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Tiffen DV Video Essentials Filter Kit, Davis & Sanford Prize: Provista Airlift 18 Tripod and Domke F-804 Super Satchel ($687)

A poignant look at an agency for abandoned children in China culminates with the implied adoption of a child by foster parents.

Matthew Noel
Houma, LA
Camcorder: Canon GL2
Editing Software: Sony Vegas 5
Prize: Magix Movie Edit Pro 11 ($60)

At the time of the production, Noel was a student at the Institute. His skill set has earned him a staff position at the Institute, where he now instructs food photography.

Jeff Walrich
Mableton, GA
Camcorder: Sony DCR-TRV19
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5
Prize: Pinnacle Studio 10.5 ($70)

Walrich is a coach who has produced this highlight video of one of his wrestlers. It's appropriately fast-paced and utilizes a hard-hitting soundtrack.

Max Lopatin
Washougal, WA
Camcorder: Canon XL2
Prize: Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5
Prize: Serious Magic Ultra 2 ($495)

This straightforward, but well-produced, music video was shot at Longview, in Washington State. Lopatin notes that the production van they used almost got stuck in the sand.

Aaron & Molly Zavitz
Omaha, NE
Camcorder: Sony HVR-Z1U
Prize: SmartSound Sonicfire Pro 4-Filmmaker Edition ($549)

A dark video with a character becoming reflective over the course of being held hostage.

Danny Sayson
Richmond, BC, Canada
Camcorder: Sony DSR-PD150
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Prize: Studio 1 Productions 12-pack of animations ($899)

Danny Sayson, a previous contest winner for his popular Soo Jerky commercials, is back with a great wedding video synopsis.

Frank Farrell
Red Bank, NJ
Camcorder: Sony DXC-D30 and PVV3
Prize: Avid Xpress Pro ($1,000)

Farrell skillfully targets his audience with a message of healthy eating they may not otherwise get, with U Gotta Choose. Learn more about it in our interview with Farrell on Videomaker Vidcast epsiode 55.

Stephen Strosin
Los Angeles, CA
Camcorder: Panasonic AG-DVX100A
Editing Software: Apple Final Cut Pro 3
Prize: JVC GZ-MG505 HDD Camcorder and Share Station ($1,500)

Strosin has fun with a custodian who makes the most out the situation after his personal audio device's batteries die. You might recall Strosin's winning entry from last year, Unplanned. Don't miss our interview with Strosin, which appears on Videomaker Vidcast epsiode 54.

Hodges Usry
Augusta, GA
Camcorder: Panasonic AG-DVX100B
Editing Software: Sony Vegas 5
Prize: Sony Media Software Bundle (Vegas, Vision Series 1-4, Seminar Series, Cinescore) ($1,650)

Hodges Usry is our next Short Video Contest alumni (last year's entry: Sorry) who also won a prize this year. See more about Rozwell, which was based on a true story, on episode 53 of the Videomaker Vidcast.