As we’ve all noticed lately, the lines between the gear used in still and video shooting are becoming blurred, some still shooters are embracing video for the first time using DSLRs, and videographers are clicking away creating still images using that same camera they purchased for videography.

Now Canon, the makers of the first HDSLR that was embraced by many shooters on both side of the chasm, is sponsoring a still photo contest that video creators might find interesting. The winner of the contest gets to work with Academy Award winning director, Ron Howard, on a movie short inspired by that still image.

Canon just announced  the “Long Live Imagination” campaign with Ron Howard. People submit photos to www.youtube.com/imagination and winners will be selected to inspire a Hollywood short film directed by Ron Howard shot on a Canon DSLR  There will be eight photos selected form the collection of entries, and they will collectively be the inspiration for the movie short. The Short will be shot using Canon DSLR cameras and accessories, and there will be a Red Carpet premiere in New York where the winners will meet Ron Howard.

Entries for the contest will be accepted from May 22 to June 14th and there are eight movie themes to help you get your imagination and inspiration on: Setting, Time, Character, Mood, Relationship, Goal, Obstacle and the Unknown.

And if you want to be a better video shooter, learn from a still photographer. They have to capture a full story in just one frame – this contest allows you to practice both still and moving imaging skills.

Below is more information form Canon regarding the contest:

“I’m known as a narrative storyteller, so when Canon approached me to partner on the ‘Long Live Imagination’ campaign, I was moved by the opportunity to collaborate with the masses, tapping into consumers’ creativity and using their photos as building blocks to produce a film,” said Howard. “I hope the project stimulates people’s imaginations whether they are an amateur photographer, a world traveler or a proud parent, and I hope what we create is meaningful.”

A visually stunning television commercial that takes place within Ron Howard’s mind’s eye will begin airing May 22nd. The spot will promote the “Project Imagin8ion” contest and online community.

Throughout the promotion, Ron Howard, with the help of Canon experts with Project Imagin8ion and the community, will narrow down the submissions and select eight photos – one from each category. These eight winning photos will become the basis and inspiration for the short.

As part of the overall “Long Live Imagination” campaign, Canon will be curating the most inspiring photography out there, championing the imagination of the masses while demonstrating the infinite possibilities of Canon digital imaging. The customized Long Live Imagination brand channel on YouTube will serve as a meeting place and sharing community for Canon users and photography enthusiasts alike throughout 2011. The Imagination Gallery will be linked to other social media platforms including Flickr, Facebook and Twitter, so that users can easily share their photos, pose questions to the community and participate in real-time discussions. Though the gallery will launch as the home of Canon’s “Project Imagin8ion” initiative, the community page will live-on and continue to grow.

Was it just me, or was anyone else that was surprised at the lack of statues taken away by Team Avatar.  Avatar won only three Oscars:  for visual effects (was there any doubt), and cinematography,  as well as art direction. But somehow I expected more, and apparently, by all the buzz, so did a lot of other people.

Some speculated that the Academy wanted to “show” Cameron that his highest-grossing movie of all times can be taken down by the least-expensive movie to ever be nominated – wrong.

Some speculated that the Academy wanted to finally give the “Best Directing” award to a woman – please – do we have to play the gender card?

In my opinion, there are two strong reasons why Avatar didn’t win more awards: Animated characters and Sci-fi. Read the rest of this entry »

The countdown to the 2010 Academy Awards is in full swing. With only three days left until the ceremony, there is still much preparing left to be done. While the nominees are practicing their acceptance speeches, Hollywood Boulevard is in the midst of its yearly transformation from a busy, concrete thoroughfare to a glitzy, red carpeted promenade. And while the fates of the beloved, or not so beloved, nominees are hidden away in sealed envelopes, the rest of us are starting to make our own predictions as to who will be taking home the big prize.

Today, the Academy Awards is a worldwide television event, but it hasn’t always been filled with such pomp and circumstance. In fact, the first awards presentation, held in 1929, was a private dinner event with only 270 guests in attendance. It didn’t take long, however, for millions of people to become fascinated with the star-studded event and that little gold statue, Oscar.

While we all eagerly await the results, there’s not much anyone can do but speculate which nominees are coming out on top this year. Each category usually has an obvious winner, but occasionally the Academy slips one past us and awards the Oscar to the underdog. Upsets like these make the night memorable while giving underdogs, everywhere, something to hope for.