The 2007 – 2008 Prelude Awards
Submission Guidelines

Overview Schedule Entry Forms Submission Guildlines: Collaboration Creative Writing Dance Instumental Music Theater Video and Film Visual Arts Vocal Music

Video and Film

General Requirements
Contestants may submit a video/film work not to exceed 10 minutes in length. Entries may be dramas, documentaries, comedies or animated projects (including computer animation). Adaptations are permitted, but should reflect the unique point of view of the filmmaker.
Use of music is acceptable, but music videos are not permitted. (This includes video “photo albums” of friends and family.) Overuse of gimmicks such as toaster effects and/or camera wipe effects is not recommended.
The video may be shot on film, HI-8, S-VHS or digital. The final submission must be DVD. It should be clearly labeled, with the title and entry number on the tape and on the submission envelope. Videotapes must be cued to the beginning. Contestants must submit a written synopsis of the subject matter of the video/film, not to exceed 100 words. In addition, contestants must describe the equipment they used for the project (for example: HI-8, non-linear editing). Failure to include this information will result in disqualification. Contestants should place a sheet with the following information inside the video case: name, address, phone number, title of video, school and grade. The contestant’s name should not appear in the video at all. Videos that include the contestant’s name will be disqualified. Contestants should retain a copy of their work. The Children’s Museum will not return video submissions. Videos are to be delivered to The Children’s Museum on Tuesday, January 14, 2008, noon – 5 p.m., at Entrance 2 located on the north side of the building.

Criteria

Originality of concept and presentation:
Does the video reflect the unique point of view of the filmmaker?

Ability to communicate intent/purpose of the work:
Is the story, message, mood and/or theme clear to the viewer?

Artistic expression:
Shot composition, creative use of lighting, music, editing techniques.

Technical presentation:
Camera technique, clear audio, smooth editing transitions.

Emotional impact:
Is the video moving? Thought-provoking?

Judging
A panel of judges will be chosen from a list of working artists, critics, university professors and arts administrators from Indiana and surrounding states. In several instances, former Prelude Awards participants have served as judges.

When the submissions arrive at the museum, Prelude Awards staff will remove the information sheets from the video envelopes and code the videos so that they may be viewed blind. The judges will rate each video according to the criteria described on this sheet.

It is rare for one contestant’s work to so outshine all the other competitors that he/she is a clear winner and every judge’s first choice. It is more common for the judges to identify several contestants with comparable skills. When this happens, the judges’ personal philosophies and preferences, as well as group dynamics, are bound to come into play in the process of selecting a winner. For instance, if three equally good videos are submitted to three separate competitions, each with a separate set of judges, it is unlikely that the same video will be judged the winner every time. It is extremely important for contestants to understand and accept that this element of subjectivity in the judging process is natural and inevitable.

Winning the Prelude Awards does not guarantee a successful career in the arts; nor does losing the competition mean that a successful career in the arts is out of the question. Successful artists agree that self-discipline, hard work, determination and one’s ability to deal positively with criticism are the best indicators for success in the arts. Many brilliant high school performers have gone on to lead very traditional lives, while many people whose talents went completely unrecognized in high school have gone on to have brilliant careers in the arts.

This year’s Prelude Awards will provide just one of many occasions in which a young artist’s creative efforts will be judged. A realistic picture of how a competition works and a healthy attitude about winning and losing will help keep stress to a minimum and allow contestants to keep the competition in perspective so that it can be a useful learning experience.

Media Partner:

For additional information on the Prelude Awards at The Children’s Museum contact Ruby Ellison, Community Programs Coordinator at (317) 334-4119.