Winners Announced in Howcast's How-to Video Challenge
Using creativity -- and a talking loaf of bread -- filmmaker scores $2,000
Howcast.com announced today that "How to Make Olive Bread" by filmmaker Keith Heyward won the The How-to Video Challenge, and the grand prize of $2,000. The Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program's How-to Video Challenge was a contest for filmmakers, web-video artists, and inventors to push the envelope and reinvent the how-to video format. The contest enabled the Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program (EFP) to expand its efforts to a larger audience, highlight opportunities in online video, and promote up-and-coming filmmakers.
With over 150 entries, "How to Make Olive Bread" impressed voters and jurors with its clever use of stop-motion animation. Narrated by a loaf of talking olive bread, Heyward's video presented a unique approach to the traditional cooking how-to video. As the grand-prize winner, Heyward received $2,000 from Howcast, and his video will be featured across the Howcast Distribution Network, which includes outlets such as Hulu, YouTube, MySpace, Verizon FiOS, iTunes, TiVO, and Boxee. Filmmaker Anthony Redendo took home second prize -- a Sony Webbie HD Camera and accessories -- for "How to Stage a Hit-and-Run Using Special Effects." Meghan Mathes won third place, an 8GB iPod Nano, and a $50 iTunes gift card for "How to Spoon".
"Stop-motion animation is a very slow process, but putting it all together in the end, and seeing the individual photos become a video was awesome. The prize money was a nice surprise on top of it all," said Heyward "I'm looking forward to making more winning topics starring talking inanimate objects."
"It was really exciting for us to see the variety of creative approaches to how-to video and the amount of innovative filmmakers we were introduced to through the How-to Video Challenge," said Heather Menicucci, Managing Producer of the Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program. "We are looking forward to continuing to work with these talented filmmakers, helping to provide them a platform to develop their craft and gain exposure to a wider audience."
The top 10 finalists were selected by a public vote, and winners by the contest jury consisting 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
To view the top 10 finalists including the winning submissions, visit: http://www.howcast.com/playlists/3170-The-Top-Ten.
To watch all the great entries from the How-to Video Challenge visit: http://www.howcast.com/videochallenge
About Howcast Media
Howcast empowers the world with engaging, useful how-to information wherever, whenever they need to know how. 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