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20th Annual Videomaker Short Video Contest Winners

Videomaker Editors
May 2008

There are a lot of video contests popping up all over the place, but we are proud to say that Videomaker was one of the first to offer this fun and challenging event. For 20 years, we’ve been inviting readers to expand their horizons, awaken their skills and work all nighters to get a 5-minute-or-less video to us by a (seemingly to some) impossible deadline. For 20 years, you’ve delivered.

As the gear gets easier to use and the skill level of our video producers becomes incredibly astute, it gets harder and harder to judge the videos every year. But after the judging began, we settled in with homemade Thai food and good company and finalized the following videos as our favorites of the 20th Annual Videomaker Short Video contest. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Grand Prize - Electro-Magnetic Flight and You!
Grand Prize

Angus Lyne, Downey, CA
Camcorder: Sony DCR-VX2100
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere
Prize: Sony HDR-FX7 HDV camcorder, LCS-VCB soft carrying case, VCL-HG0862 wide conversion lens

This take on World War II-era training/propaganda films, with its treatment of the fictional "Gravity Corps," is clever and features well-executed flying-saucer effects.


1st Prize - Trepidation
1st Prize

Eric Spink, Bronx, NY
Camcorder: Panasonic AG-DVC30
Editing Software: Apple Final Cut Pro
Prize: Varizoom MC100 Package

A fun look at haunted houses with some great effect choices and music, along with plenty of choice behind-the-scenes footage.


2nd Prize - Dessert
2nd Prize

Brian Johnson, Redmond, OR
Camcorder: Canon XL2, GL2
Editing Software: Apple Final Cut Pro
Prize: Sony Media Software bundle

An unassuming and fearless trick-or-treater proves that the old woman behind the door is nothing to worry about... or is she?


3rd Prize - I Do
3rd Prize

Danny Sayson, Richmond, BC, Canada
Camcorder: Sony DSR-PD150
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0
Prize: JVC Everio GZ-HD7 camcorder

Contest alumni Danny Sayson wows us again with a great bridal video montage.


Best Commercial/PSA - Merlot Restaurant TV Commercial
Best Commercial/PSA

Tyson Wheeler Persall, Alpharetta, GA
Camera: Canon 20D
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro 2
Prize: proDAD software bundle


Best Educational Video - SCC Tips & Tricks Online #3
Best Educational Video

Don Curo, La Habra, CA
Camcorder: Canon GL2
Editing Software: Sony Vegas 6
Prize: SmartSound Sonicfire Pro 4.5


Best Event/Corporate Video - Join or Start a Dragon Boat Team
Best Event/Corporate Video

Jean-Pierre Serra, Montreal, QC, Canada
Camcorder: Panasonic AG-HVX200
Editing Software: Avid Xpress Pro
Prize: TriLab Build Your Own Digital Hotcakes Library


Best Documentary - Tissiack: The Great Northwest Face
Best Documentary

Steve Crutchfield, Oakhurst, CA
Camcorder: Sony DCR-TRV730
Editing Software: Apple Final Cut Pro 3
Prize: Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro HDMI capture/output card


Best Drama/Action - February 8th
Best Drama/Action

Perham Dixon, Houston, TX
Camcorder: Panasonic AG-HVX200
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro CS3
Prize: Photoflex Starlite Octodome NXT Location Kit


Best Student Video - Get Out and Play
Best Student Video

Kevin Longa, Burlingame, CA
Camcorder: Sony HDR-FX1
Editing Software: Apple iMovie
Prize: Pinnacle Studio MovieBox Plus


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