Did you ever play that summer camp game where someone starts a story and the next person has to continue the next chapter, followed by another storyteller, etc., until everyone has a chance to make up a chapter? Well, now you can do it with video, and maybe win a prize for your effort.

Sharp-eyed Videomaker reader, Allen Klosowski, sent us a link to a cool new video contest that lets you... or me... or Allen... or anyone... add to the story of a movie being produced.

Erik Luchauer and Kevin Antoine, the producers of Rootclip, shoot the first chapter, and then it's placed on the internet for video producers to submit their versions for the next chapter.

Luchauer adds, " Rootclip produces the first chapter (a.k.a. the "root clip") and users create chapters 2 through 6. Only the winners of chapters 2-5 may submit entries for the final chapter (chapter 6). I also hope to see some of your work on our site. We're really trying to create a collaborative community and build up the excitement for a new generation of filmmakers."

After each consecutive chapter's entries are in, the web audience votes to choose the favorite, which becomes the next official chapter, and then video producers start vying for the next chapter's selection.

Winners of each chapter get a $500 Visa card, and the final Chapter 6 winner gets to go to Traverse City Film Festival in Traverse City, Michigan, and meet the Rootclip creators, as well as filmmaker, Michael Moore.

It might be too late to enter this contest by the time this issue hits the news stands, but check out the site here for news about upcoming contests and challenges.

Now THAT's community sharing at its best!

Want to try out your editing skills online? Or maybe just take a look at what can be done with digital video, a funny script and a cast of characters? Check out Cast This! The Game online.

Developed by actor, producer and funny lady, Julia Flint, the shows combine all her loves into one exciting new project: the internet sitcom. Cast This! is a funny, edgy internet sitcom in which Flint serves as the writer, producer and star and invites viewers to participate in the storytelling.

Cast This! The Webisodes get the viewers involved by having them create scenes from video clips straight from the webisodes. Place content on the timeline, add titles, music and effects and create your own movie. Then "send to a friend" and share your masterpiece.

Cast This! is among many new interactive shows you can find on the internet that allow video producers to get actively involved. Several companies are currently advertising these shows on the Videomaker website, and you can find these and more in The Lounge, our community sharing site. Be sure to check them out... who knows where they may take you!

A collection of video enthusiasts made the trek to the home of the Videomaker headquarters, to attend one of the two workshops we offered this past June. The classes offered were Basics of Video Production and Documentary Production. The weather was perfect, not the normal heat we usually get in June, with a slight breeze that demonstrated the need to use an audio wind screen for our Basic Production group. (And a chance to appear as models in this issue, see Directing - Small Crew Directing.

By the time you read this, we'll also have finished a few Road Show conferences in Portland, Houston and San Diego.

If you're like us, most video producers are lonely one-person bands, who learn by trial and error, usually in the wee hours of the morning. The workshops help video producers learn to work with a group, take on various production roles and have the chance to interact with like-minded producers. Most attendees leave with a smile on their faces and enhanced understanding of the production process, and many leave with life-long contacts to assist them in their travels to continue following their dream. There are still several Videomaker -based workshops and traveling conferences being offered this year. Check out our Events Page to find out more.

See the final workshop video that this particular group put together, or video from past workshops. We hope to see you soon.