The votes are in, the jury has spoken, and filmmaker Keith Heyward, with the help of his star, Oliver de Loaf, scored first place in the Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program contest, the How-To Video Challenge. The contest was a call for filmmakers, DIYers and experts to reinvent the how-to video format, and Keith’s unique take on the traditional cooking spot did just that. Using top-notch stop-motion animation skills, Keith’s video, How To Make Olive Bread, features Oliver, a talking loaf of olive bread, narrating the recipe for homemade olive bread (what else?). Dancing Kalamata olives, a “lovely” sourdough starter, and “dashing” salt round out the charming cast in a stellar video that made us smile and salivate at the same time. Kudos to Keith for a well-earned win!
Scoring second and third place in the How-To Video Challenge were Anthony Redendo and Meghan Mathes. Anthony’s video teaches audiences a unique lesson, How To Stage a Hit-And-Run Using Special Effects. Anthony is such a pro at the editing effect, we dare you not to cringe when you see the car “collide” with his actor! Meghan’s video teaches audiences a technique also rarely mastered, How To Spoon, as in how to cozy up to a partner in bed. Accompanied by a sweet song written especially for the spot, Meghan’s video covers all the spooning basics, including what to do with that other arm and no-nos like snoring.
Congratulations to these talented filmmakers! And, again, big props to all the contestants who impressed us with their creativity, style, and skill! We‘re looking forward to continuing to work with these talented filmmakers. Coming soon: a showcase of some more entries that captured the attention of voters and judges!
The votes are in and the How-To Video Challenge finalists have been chosen. Check out who made the top 10 in the playlist below — they definitely haven’t made it easy for our jury to pick the top three. Congratulations and good luck to the fantastic finalists!
We also want to give big Howcast kudos to all the contestants. We asked filmmakers, DIYers and web video artists to get creative with the how-to format, and they didn’t let us down. We asked to have our socks knocked off, and I can tell you, we are sockless! As the manager of Howcast’s Emerging Filmmakers Program, I review more than 100 how-to videos every month, and I was incredibly impressed with the creativity of the concepts, the quality of the productions, and the unique styles and approaches we were treated to. Big props to everyone who entered! I’m really looking forward to working with all of you in the future.
Please stay tuned for the announcement of the winners on September 9 (there’s $2,000 at stake!), and keep an eye out for a showcase of all the awesome entries!
We’re happy to announce that the voting period for the How-To Video Challenge has been reset and will start again now. In order to vote, viewers will create a Howcast account or sign in to their existing account. They will be able to vote on as many videos as they want and any one video, once per day. (Here’s a tip — voters can use Facebook Connect to easily create a Howcast account!)
None of the contest dates, including the end of the voting period, will be affected by this change. We apologize sincerely for having to restart the voting period but our top priority was to ensure that the contest is 100% fair to all the filmmakers and video artists who worked so hard on their entries.
The How-To Video Challenge is in full swing and there are exactly 22 days remaining to upload the video that takes home $2,000!
Since the contest started a month ago, we’ve received quite a few great videos. From How to Make a Green Screen, produced by two young filmmakers who clearly have their green (or is it blue?) skills down, to a musical how-to by veteran Howcast emerging filmmaker, Michael Sanchez — it looks like everyone’s got their eyes on the prize!
Speaking of prizes, not only will entrants get the chance to win cash and (my favorite) a handy Sony Webbie HD, finalists will have their videos reviewed by a panel of stellar judges from the Slamdance Film Festival, The Colbert Report, Magical Elves, ReadyMade magazine, and more. And, top entrants will be showcased across the web and beyond!
Check out the entrants for yourself and if you think you can do better — get to work! Remember, the deadline is July 28, there’s no fee to enter, and you can even enter as many times as you like (even with a how-to video you’ve already made!).
All you need is a camera, a cool idea for a how-to video, and a hankering for 2,000 bucks!
The Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program launched its first contest today — the How-To Video Challenge! It’s a call for filmmakers, web video artists, and inventors to show off their coolest, baddest, flat-out flyest how-to videos. We’re counting on some exciting creative approaches to the how-to format….maybe a new shooting, editing or animation technique; a household hack or tech mod we never heard of; or even a short film that subtly weaves in a how-to lesson.
We lined up a top-notch panel of judges to select our winners including, Peter Baxter, Slamdance Film Festival; Jeff Cooperman, The Colbert Report; Katherine Sharpe, ReadyMade Magazine; Tim Sullivan, Magical Elves (Project Runway, Top Chef). I think finalists will be thrilled to have their work judged by these industry pros, but that’s just the icing on the cake, because our first prize winner will score $2000 and promotion across online, mobile and off-line platforms. (Second and third prize winners will also take home some nice booty — 2nd prize is a Sony Webbie HD camera with accessories and 3rd prize is a Nano and Apple Store gift certificate.)
The contest is the perfect opportunity for us to reward the creativity of the filmmakers we work with and to challenge a whole new community of film and video makers and DIYers. Reinventing the how-to video is a fantastic assignment for these creative folks and we can’t wait to see what they dream up. When we say we want our socks knocked off, we really mean it.
Important Dates:
Entry Deadline: July 28
Voting Period: July 29 - August 10
Winners Announced: August 20
Good luck and happy shooting,
Heather
Managing Producer, Emerging Filmmakers Program
Howcast’s Emerging Filmmakers Program has teamed up with stateside film schools Boston University, Flashpoint Academy, and now, for the first time ever, a film and television school from way down under – Charles Sturt University of Wagga Wagga, Australia.
CSU’s Television Production Students produced eight fantastic Howcast spots this semester. (CSU students have a leg up with access to a fully operational television studio!) Check out the Charles Sturt Univeristy Channel and you’ll see an impressive performance by a team of actors/comedians, kitchen techniques illustrated in a sleek location, and a unique cocktail recipe beautifully lit and shot.
“The collaboration between Howcast and Charles Sturt University has produced a number of excellent how-to videos. Howcast nurtured the student’s talents, boosting their confidence to produce creative works up to the standard required for global release.” — Bruce Gater, Lecturer In Television Production
Charles Sturt University is proud to be the first Australian university to partner with Howcast and Howcast is thrilled to work with film students from across the globe and looks forward to working with more talented Aussies!
Flashpoint is an intensive two-year media arts college in Chicago with cutting-edge focus on digital arts and entertainment technologies, and an emphasis on real-world experience. We thought this made Flashpoint Academy and its students a perfect match for the EFP!
“At Flashpoint Academy we are always searching for projects that serve two purposes—good samples for student reels, and the opportunity to have our students to work directly for a client. The Flashpoint/Howcast partnership has been a terrific success on both fronts. The students are getting excellent clips for their reels, but more importantly they are having to respond to a client’s demands in a timely and professional manner.” - Peter Hawley, Chair, Film/Broadcast.
Shooting in HD, testing out interesting visual effects, and casting great actors on well selected sets, the students are doing a great job meeting client (our) expectations. Ten Flashpoint groups are producing Howcast spots this semester on topics that range from How To Deal with a Loud Coworker to How To Avoid Drinking When You’re the Designated Driver.
They’ve just begun delivering their spots, and they look fantastic!
See for yourself on the Flashpoint Academy channel… and keep watching, as the Flashpoint students show off their stuff!
Happy holidays, everyone! The Emerging Filmmakers Program didn’t want you to think that we’re a bunch of Scrooges, so we got you a little something … the Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Podcast! The EFP will be showcasing the work of its filmmakers in a podcast on iTunes! Each week, we will feature a different video so you can keep up with what our filmmakers are producing. We’ve already started broadcasting, so click here, subscribe to the podcast, check out the recent episodes, and download them onto your iPod to show your friends!
The inventive members of the Instructables community and the talented emerging filmmakers in Howcast’s Emerging Filmmakers Program are teaming up! The inventors provide the fabulous idea and the filmmakers provide the fantastic production skills, and voila: videos are born that capture the Instructables step-by-step guides we all know and love. The first batch are live and the results are in – inventors and filmmakers make a great team! Check out How To Make LED Floaties, How To Recycle Refrigerator Magnets, and How To Make a Tennis Ball Tripod. They’re live on Howcast and on Instructables.
Now we’re ready to tackle more.
Are you an Instructables inventor who wants to see their idea given the Howcast video treatment? Are you an emerging filmmaker with the craftiness to take on an Instructables project? Or are you the best of both worlds: an Instructables inventor and filmmaker who can pull off any DIY spot?
Here’s what we’re looking for and how it works:
1) Instructables Inventor? Submit the URL of your Instructable for consideration to Howcast. Our editorial team will review it, with various criteria in mind, including ease of production and originality, and if selected, we’ll get to work on the script. You’ll receive $50 for your idea, and a complimentary video (you helped create!) that you can embed right in your Instructable guide and on your personal website. Your Instructable guide will also be linked to on Howcast.com and anywhere the video is distributed on Howcast’s distribution network. Want to throw your hat (er, idea) into the ring? Email diyproject@howcast.com with the links to your project.
2) Crafty Emerging Filmmaker? We’ll pair you up with the perfect DIY topic to shoot and edit. Once your video goes live, you’ll be accepted into Howcast’s Emerging Filmmakers Program (which you can learn all about here). You’ll also earn $50, the opportunity for revenue sharing, and your video will be seen by audiences on Howcast.com, Instructables.com, and across Howcast’s distribution network. Email diyproject@howcast.com and tell us about your DIY prowess. (Bonus points if you know how to use a soldering gun!)
3) Instructables Inventor with Filmmaking Skills? Well, aren’t you perfect? Seriously, kudos! We’d love to work with you. You can score the benefits of both 1 and 2. You can make a video of your own idea, which means you’ll earn $100, the opportunity for revenue sharing, wide distribution, a video to snazz up your Instructables guide, and linkbacks! You can also earn more money by shooting videos of other inventors’ Instructables ideas. Sound good? Want to learn more? Email diyproject@howcast.com.
Some members of the Howcast team are headed up to Boston for the Emerging Filmmakers Program Web Video 101 Workshops at Boston University and Emerson College. The theme is “Beyond Mentos and Cute Kittens – What are professional film and video makers doing on the web?” We don’t have all the answers (but, you know, lots), but we thought student film and video makers might like to hear about our experience producing, distributing and promoting web content. We’ll also be screening three great Howcast spots made by Boston University’s Broadband TV Class. At the beginning of the semester, the class split into three groups and each produced their own spot. This is the first in-class integration of the Emerging Filmmakers Program and there is more on the horizon.
“The Howcast videos served as an excellent teaching tool for my course, Broadband Television. My graduate and upper-level students were able to leverage their creativity and their already well-honed production and post-production skills, while learning how to develop video for the internet, as well as how to listen to and respond to client feedback,” said Professor Steve Singer.
We’re psyched to meet all the creative film and video students up in Boston – Beantown, here we come!
