Thanks for your interest in MEWCON's first Fan-Made Video Contest! For this first time, we will invite ANY style of fan-made videos, which will be voted on by the audience for THREE PRIZES:
- MOST ORIGINAL
- BEST COMEDY or PARODY
- BEST in SHOW
VIDEO FORMATS:
YES: We will accept .avi, .mpg, and .mp4 formats encoded in Xvid 4.0, DivX 5.05, h264, and Microsoft MPEG 4 version 2, or earlier (lower numbered) versions of these codecs. Entrants using formats whose works encounter difficulties in playback will have about 2 weeks beyond the deadline to re-encode the work and resubmit.
NO: We will reject .wmv, .swf, .mov files, and also reject SVCD disks. Basically, we'll pop the disk into a Windows computer and we will need to see an .mpg, .mp4 or .avi file. If we see anything else, or VIDEO_TS / AUDIO_TS directories, that entry gets rejected. But again, provided the initial attempt is received on time, we will contact the creator and he or she will have about a week of extra time to re-encode and resubmit.
MINIMUM QUALITY: Video size should be at least 512 x 360 and at least 23 frames/sec.
MAXIMUM LENGTH: The hard limit is 4 minutes and 40 seconds (4:40) which will include all bumpers, intro, ending, opening and closing titles.
MAXIMUM FILE SIZE: For best playback, maximum file size is 150MB and maximum bit rate is 3000 kB/sec. A good guideline is that your final encoding should not exceed 32MB per minute of length.
SUBTITLES and BUGS: These are to be removed by the creator unless they are carefully selected to complement the work. Exception: You may create your own subtitles and overlay graphics to add to the work. Entries displaying a codec logo from a commercial codec vendor will also be rejected. Example: DivX versions 5.12 and higher often display the DivX logo. Earlier versions often do not display the logo.
CONTENT:
Unlike specific formats (such as AMVs, or anime music videos) this convention accepts ANY VIDEO format and style, from music videos, to parody (fake) commercials and fictitious trailers, and also artistic or dramatic content. AMVs are welcome and also any compbination of animation, live-action footage, and any music and audio sources. Original animation and live-action footage are welcome and encouraged.
Rated R: Mew-con is oriented to fandom from early adult years and up. Therefore, videos may include any visual content, lyrics, and subject matter conforming to the MPAA 'R' rating.
All entries will be pre-screened by a panel of judges who will select the final contenst playlist.
The decisions of the judges panel are made on the day following the contest deadline and are final.
SUBMISSIONS and DEADLINE:
The deadline for any physical media (postal mail-in entries) and any electronic submissions (e-mails) will be 5:30pm PDT on Friday, November 26, 2010 .
This is not a postmark deadline; rather, all materials must be received by these times.
THREE PRIZES will be awarded as above, and as determined by a tally of audience votes. The judges may select an additional entry to receive a Judge's Choice award or another honor of their creation. The Contest Coordinator may select an entry for Special Mention. In the unlikely event of a tie, the coordinator will attempt to convene a quorum of judges to split the tie, poll a second audience in a run-off showing, or if feasible the coordinator may award twin prizes. (A rare but not impossible event.)
WHO CAN SUBMIT: Anyone of any age from anywhere may create and submit Fan-Made Videos for this contest - EXCEPT - the Contest Coordinator and members of the judges' panel. Other than that, you do NOT need to be a member of the MEWCON convention and you do NOT need to be present at the convention to win any prizes awarded in this contest. Prize winners who do not collect a prize at the convention Closing Ceremonies will be contacted privately to arrange shipping details.
HOW MANY Entries?
Each entrant you may submit up to THREE videos.
One other contest constraint (for final selection) is that any given audio source should play ONLY ONCE in the entire contest.
HOW and WHERE to SUBMIT?
By e-mail: You may send an e-mail with a download link to:
guRy1656R@opuRsnetR.com
...removing all 4 red 'R' characters.
Your e-mail should contain a download link where we can retrieve a stand-alone copy of the media file, not a streaming video site: NO YouTube, viddler, etc. The site must allow downloads without registering, logging in, passwords, or setting up an account of any kind. The deadline to receive such links by e-mail is Friday, 26-Nov-2010.
Please do NOT send videos as e-mail attachments. My ISP will get mad at me.
By physical mail: You may mail CDs, DVDs or other physical media to:
Mewcon 2010 AMV Contest
33470 Chinook Plaza
Scappoose, OR 97056
Physical media will not be returned, and will be destroyed shortly after the Mewcon 2010 convention ends.
In either case, participants need to include information in the e-mail text or on a sheet of paper accompanying physical media, listing:
- Your name and city
- Private contact, such as an e-mail address, phone number, or return mailing address
- Your video title
- Video sources used, or 'various' of more than 5 different sources
- Music or audio sources: composer, title name, performers
- Any other information you feel might be informative to the judges (optional)
ALL private information is kept confidential, and destroyed after the convention ends and after the winners are contacted and prizes shipped.
GOOD LUCK & SEE YOU ALL AT MEWCON 2010!
