Download the entry form here.

It’s time to submit your tapes for the 17h Annual Videomaker/Panasonic Short Video Contest. Once again, we have a great set of prizes to present to our winners, but you have to play to win.

Whether you are the maestro of music videos, concoct crazy comedies or direct dynamic documentaries, we encourage you to send us your best. We don’t care if this is the first video you’ve ever shot or just the most recent in a long series stretching back to the silent era, if you’re proud of your production, show it to us. As long as your submission is five minutes in length or less, and was produced with consumer equipment, it qualifies.

The Grand Prize is a Panasonic PV-GS70 Camcorder, valued at $999. In addition, we have awards slated for Best Music Video, Best Drama/Action, Best Comedy and Best Documentary. And, we will offer a bonus award for submissions sent on DVD-Video.

To enter, fill out the entry form and send it along with your best short. But hurry! We must receive your entry by September 30, 2003. Please read the Entry Guidelines carefully and follow all instructions (especially concerning acceptable tape formats).

Our team of judges will evaluate each entry for content and creativity, technical proficiency in camera work, lighting, sound, edit pacing and overall production quality. (See the Judging Criteria sidebar for details.)

We’ll announce the winners in a future issue of Videomaker, and we’ll post all winning videos to Videomaker’s Web site. Who knows, maybe this year’s article will be about you.

Entry Guidelines

  •   The 2003 Videomaker Short Video Contest is open to all videographers unaffiliated with Videomaker or any of the contest sponsors.
  •   Submit your short entry (five minutes or less) on one of these NTSC consumer video formats: VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS, S-VHS-C, 8mm, Hi8, Mini DV or DVD. Please do not submit on Digital8. Entries may also be submitted on CD-ROM or DVD-ROM at 640×480 and 30 frames per second in the following formats: MPEG-1, .rm, .asf, .mov and .avi.
  •   Entries in the streaming video category will be judged by visitors to Videomaker’s Web site. These entries must be sent on CD-R in Windows Media (.wmv) format, encoded for delivery from a Web server (not Windows Media server), for LAN, cable modem or xDSL (100 to 768 Kbps).
  •   Entries submitted in any form other than those listed above will be disqualified, as will those that cannot be viewed due to equipment or format incompatibility.
  •   Entries must be five minutes or less in length, and include an equipment list showing the original list price for each component used in the production. Equipment must total no more than $20,000. The cost of equipment will be taken into consideration in judging.
  •   Written proof of copyright must be included with the entry for all materials, audio and video, used in the production. Written proof must be a document signed by the copyright holder giving the videographer, by name, explicit permission to use the specific material. In the case of royalty-free music, the videographer must list the name of the music library and track used.
  •   Enter as many times as you like, but send each entry on its own individual tape or disc.
  •   Entry fee for the 2002 Videomaker Short Video Contest is $10. If you wish to have your tape returned to you, include an additional $5 for shipping and handling.
  •   Entries must be received by Sept. 30, 2003. Tapes received after this date will be disqualified.
  •   Winners will be announced in a future issue of Videomaker. Except those returned, all submissions become property of Videomaker. All contestants consent to Videomaker’s use of entries for promotional and/or editorial purposes.
  •   Winners’ names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses will be provided to the prize sponsors.
  •   Winners are responsible for any state, federal or other taxes resulting from the receipt of prizes.

    Videomaker takes no responsibility for any loss or damage to tapes occurring during the contest. Note never send your master.

    How to Enter

  •   Fill out the entry form completely. If you are sending more than one entry, photocopy and fill out a separate entry form for each.
  •   For each submission, enclose a list describing all equipment used in the production. Give the dollar value (new) of each piece of equipment.
  •   Enclose a declaration of copyright release for all music, photography, film or video used in each submission.
  •   Enclose $10 entry fee for each submission. If you want your submission returned to you, enclose an additional $5 per submission ($15 total per submission). Send check or money order only, please. Make payable to Videomaker.
  •   Enclose your submission(s), entry form(s), list(s), release(s) and payment and send to:

    The Videomaker/Panasonic Short Video Contest 2003

    P.O. Box 4591

    Chico, CA 95927

    Judging Criteria

    Production quality

    Shot composition, camera work, lighting and shot variety

    Post-production quality

    Editing, pacing, continuity, titles, transitions and flow

    Content

    Quality of script, storyline and talent

    Image

    Color, lighting, focus, etc.

    Sound

    Clarity, quality, consistency of audio levels and lack of noise

    Check Out Past Winners

    See streaming samples of the 2002 Contest winners at http://www.videomaker.com/scripts/contest_winners.cfm?year=02.

    Grand Prize

    Value: $999

    Panasonic PV-GS70 Mini DV Camcorder

    www.panasonic.com

    (800) 211-PANA

    First Prize

    Value: $990

    Ulead MediaStudio Pro 7 and DVD Workshop

    www.ulead.com

    (310) 896-6388

    Second Prize

    Value: $825

    Azden 500LT Wireless Microphone System

    www.azden.com

    (516) 328-7500

    Best Drama/Action Video

    Value: $699

    VariZoom VariZoom Lens Controls and Studio Style Kit

    www.varizoom.com

    (888) 826-3399

    Best Comedy

    Value: $699

    Pinnacle Edition

    www.pinnaclesys.com

    (650) 526-1600

    Best Music Video

    Value: $579

    Trilab Digital Hotcakes Grand Slam

    www.animationsforvideo.com

    (318) 603-0236

    Best Documentary

    Value: $350

    Roadwired Photo/Video Bag, Cable Stable and @ttache Laptop Bag

    www.roadwired.com

    (310) 896-6388

    DVD-Video Bonus

    Value: $279

    ADS Technologies Pyro A/V-Link

    www.adstech.com

    (800) 888-5244

    Best Streaming Video

    Value: $404

    Bogen 700RC2, 756BK Video Kit

    www.bogenphoto.com

    (201) 934-8500

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