Win $2000 with Howcast in the How-to Video Challenge
Emerging Filmmakers Challenged with Reinventing the How-to Video
Howcast.com announced today the launch of its first contest, The How-to Video Challenge; a call for filmmakers, web video artists, and inventors to push the envelope and reinvent the how-to video format. Sponsored by the Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program, The The How-to Video Challenge gives online filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their creativity by inventing a fresh, original approach to the how-to video. A distinguished panel of judges from the filmmaking, online, television, magazine, and DIY industries will review videos from the top 10 contest finalists to select winners, with a grand prize of $2,000. The contest is open to submissions between June 16th and July 28th, and the Howcast community will vote on their favorites from July 29th to August 10th.
The How-to Video Challenge will allow the Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program (EFP) to expand its efforts to highlight opportunities in online video, and to promote up-and-coming filmmakers who have not yet had large scale exposure. Launched in February 2008, the EFP offers emerging filmmakers the chance to gain experience, exposure, and some extra income by creating short how-to videos distributed across online, mobile and off-line platforms. Provided with the guidance of Howcast producers, along with scripts, voice-overs, graphics, and access to a music library, emerging filmmakers are encouraged through the EFP to flex their creative muscles while building their professional reels and launching their filmmaking careers.
"The contest is a fantastic opportunity for the EFP to reward the creativity of web video producers, to invite more traditional filmmakers to take the dive into web video, and to challenge DIYers and inventors," said Heather Menicucci, Managing Producer of the Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program. "We're looking forward to expanding our goals of fostering an innovative community around how-to video, and helping to cultivate the careers of filmmakers."
The How-to Video Challenge is accepting submissions from June 16th to July 28th. Once the submission window closes, the public will vote on their favorites from July 29th to August 10th, with the videos that receive the most votes being reviewed by the contest jury, which consists of industry experts:
- Peter Baxter, Cofounder/President, Slamdance; Filmmaker
- Jeff Cooperman, Managing Producer, The Colbert Report
- Justin Johnson, Promotions Director, Next New Networks
- Darlene Liebman, Vice President of Production, Howcast Media
- Charles Merzbacher, Chair, Department of Film and Television, Boston University
- Tim Sullivan, Director of Development, Magical Elves
- Katherine Sharpe, Online Editor, ReadyMade Magazine
- Hunter Walk, Director Product Management, YouTube
Howcast will announce the winners on August 10th, with the first-prize video awarded $2,000, second prize awarded a Sony Webbie HD Camera and accessories, and third prize awarded an 8GB iPod Nano and $50 iTunes gift card.
To learn more or enter the How-to Video Challenge visit: http://www.howcast.com/videochallenge
About Howcast Media
From How to Write a Resume to How to Jump-Start Your Car, Howcast provides the answer to any how-to question and engages consumers to watch and share free, useful how-to videos and guides produced in-house at Howcast Studios, as well as by innovative media partners, trusted brands, and individual contributors. This content is distributed across a growing network of web, mobile, and cable partners, including such notable destinations as YouTube, MySpace, Hulu, AOL, Yahoo!, Comcast, Apple, TiVo and Verizon. In just over a year, Howcast been named a top web site of 2008 by both TIME and PC Magazine, nominated for two Webby Awards and has had its iPhone app featured in an Apple iPhone commercial.
About the Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program
Launched in February 2008, the EFP offers emerging filmmakers the chance to gain experience, exposure, and some extra income by creating short how-to videos distributed across online, mobile, and offline platforms. Provided with the guidance of Howcast producers, scripts, voice-overs, graphics, and a music library, filmmakers are encouraged to flex creative muscle while building their professional reels and launching their online careers. The EFP has partnered with film and television programs at Boston University, Flashpoint Academy, and Charles Sturt University to expose students to web video production, increase student awareness of opportunities online, as well as provide real-world experience working for clients. Expanding its reach beyond traditional educational borders, the EFP also launched a pilot program in the West Bank in partnership with the State Department to introduce young Palestinians to web video.
Contact:
Tessa Barrera
Communications Manager
Tessa.Barrera@Howcast.com
