Avid Technology announced that it has launched a video contest in collaboration with MovieMaker Magazine, challenging participants to create a 30-second commercial spot for Avid. Running until December 31, 2006, the contest will award a "Pro's Choice" and a "People's Choice" winner with all-expenses paid trips to the 2007 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT. The winning "Pro's Choice" spot, which must be created on an Avid system, will be aired nearly 100 times throughout the festival on Park City TV (PCTV), Sundance's exclusive "All-Access" news station. In addition, the 50 entries earning the most votes from visitors to the MovieMaker website, will receive free copies of Avid Xpress Pro software, Avid's editing application for solo professionals, used by some of the top content creators in film, television, and music video production.
"With the volume of consumer-created content out there today, it is especially difficult for individual projects to break through and be noticed—no matter how unique, creative or edgy they are," said Patrick McLean, senior product manager for Avid. "This contest is about fostering creativity in a professional scenario, recognizing the best work, and then going a step further to provide high-profile outlets for visibility. Between the MovieMaker audience and the thousands of influential filmmakers, celebrities, and studio executives at Sundance, this contest offers a tremendous opportunity for talented individuals to be recognized by their peers—not to mention an avenue to be 'discovered.'"
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Up-and-coming content creators, current professionals or any other interested individuals can visit www.avid.com/30secondspot to view complete contest rules and submit entries through December 31, 2006. All registrants will receive a contest starter kit, which includes a library of royalty-free music, an Avid logo and fact sheet, and guidelines to ensure the entry meets technical and legal requirements for public broadcast. For entrants who do not have an Avid system and want to be eligible for the "Pro's Choice" category, Avid Free DV is available at the Avid contest Website for download. Beginning December 1st, MovieMaker will begin to post accepted entries on its website (www.moviemaker.com), for public viewing and voting. All contestants who submit an entry will also receive a free six-month subscription to MovieMaker Magazine.
THE PRO’S CHOICE AND THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE
During the first week of January 2007, Avid and MovieMaker will announce the winners of the "Pro's Choice" and the "People's Choice." Chris Franklin, AICE Award-winner and principal of Big Sky Editorial—the company behind high-profile work such as the American Express commercials featuring Jerry Seinfeld—will select the best entry created with Avid products for the "Pro's Choice." This winning entry will then be aired regularly—nearly 100 times—on PCTV's "Sundance All Access" show, over the course of the festival.
The "People's Choice" award will go to the video submission that receives the most votes in the contest gallery on MovieMaker.com—from December 1 through December 31. Both award winners will receive red-carpet treatment at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, including round-trip airfare for two, three nights hotel stay, a per diem, and access to a range of festival activities.
For more information, contest rules and guidelines visit: www.avid.com/30secondspot.
