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, weve 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, youve 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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Kevin Longa, Burlingame, CA
Camcorder: Sony HDR-FX1
Editing Software: Apple iMovie
Prize: Pinnacle Studio MovieBox Plus
Best Music Video – Happy Up!
Samuel Henegar, Piney Flats, TN
Camcorder: Canon XL2
Prize: Grass Valley Edius 4
Best Animation – Bacon Samurai
Created by Wright Rickman, Produced by Chris Davidson; Ithaca, NY
Animation Software: Adobe Flash
Prize: Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 11
Best Young Video – Distance
Aaron Hughes, Caledonia, ON, Canada
Camcorder: Canon GL2
Editing Software: Apple Final Cut Pro
Prize: Hitachi DZHS300A DVD Camcorder
Best Avant-Garde – My Second Song (Disco Deep)
Nathan Notermann, Minneapolis, MN
Camcorder: Samsung SC-D365
Editing Software: Apple Final Cut Pro
Prize: RiDATA DVD+R DL and 1GB SD card
Best Senior Video – Wonder Water
Sam Tumminello, Huntsville, AL
Camcorder: Sony DCR-TRV730
Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit Pro 11
Prize: Hitachi DZHS300A DVD Camcorder
Best Comedy – Last Call
Michael Comulada, Fort Worth, TX
Camcorder: Sony DCR-TRV730
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Prize: Pinnacle Studio 11
Best Sports Video – The Art of BMX
Brian Dickman, Fort Jennings, OH
Camcorder: Panasonic AG-DVX100A
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Prize: Prize: Glidecam 4000 Pro
Best Spiritual Video – Speed the Light in Davao
Wade Bearden, Spring, TX
Camcorder: Sony HVR-Z1U
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5
Prize: Pinnacle Mobile Media Converter
Side Bar: See ’em Online!
Check out the winning videos on our website at the Videomaker Lounge: https://www.videomaker.com/community/blogs/07contestwinners and watch for announcements of our next annual contest and other contests we may surprise you with in the future.
