Video Media Competition
The British Cave Research Association invites you to participate in its
Video Media competition. The event is part of the caving conference -
Hidden Earth. The competition will cover any aspect of caves, mines or
potholes. Entries will be screened at the conference and will be judged for
their artistic, technical and aesthetic qualities with particular emphasis on
artistic originality and innovation. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.
The term 'video media' is intended to encompass all depictions of
moving images and sequences of pictures.
This broad definition of 'video' means that, as we introduced in 2006,
there will not be separate competition categories for 'films' and
'audio-visual presentations'. However, the judges will be aware of the very
different skills involved in these two broad categories and will conduct their
judging accordingly. (For details, see rationale below).
- Video 'films': These may be submitted in a digital medium such
as DVD or on tape (VHS PAL format only). The presentation must be less than 20
minutes long (including titles). Only mono sound playback will be available.
- 'Audio-visual' presentations: AVs comprising sequences of
still images and an audio soundtrack may be submitted on CD or DVD for playback
via a computer projector and mono sound channel. The presentation must be less
than 20 minutes long (including titles). Although we are not expecting to
receive many (if any) traditional AVs using slide projectors, these are still
very welcome, provided the entrant supplies all the projection equipment.
- Other work: The use of computers means that the distinction
between 'films' and 'AVs' is blurred. You may, if you wish, mix moving and
still images, or use pan and zoom effects on stills, and be confident that your
entry will still be acceptable. You may also wish to consider graphical-based
formats such as Microsoft Powerpoint if your artistic statement is powerful
enough.
Rationale
An explanation of the changes introduced to this competition for the
first time in 2006.
Traditionally, 'films' and 'AVs' were easily definable, the latter
comprising a number of slide projectors showing stills and an audio soundtrack.
The use of computers means that the distinction between these art-forms is
blurred. If we take the view that this competition is to encourage innovation
and fresh artistic ideas then it would be a mistake to try to circumscribe what
constitutes each art form. Most entrants will probably find that their work
still falls into a 'film' or 'audio-visual' genre but they may, if they wish,
mix moving and still images, or use pan and zoom effects on stills, and be
confident that their competition entry will still be acceptable.
The skills involved in filming and creating AVs are different, so might
judging them together in one category be to the detriment of both? In reality,
the position is perhaps no different to that of other art prizes: the Turner
prize does not distinguish between oil paintings and video installations. For
2006, as an experiment, we decided to combine all video entries into a single
competition. We have continued with that concept since. The Hidden Earth judges
will consider awarding two equal-value 'first prizes' if the entries merit
that; and will give an unspecified number of distinction and merit awards. The
judges will award the prizes in a way that best recognises the varied skills of
the entrants and the merits of their work. They will be particularly looking
for artistic originality and innovation as well as considering the technical,
artistic and aesthetic qualities of each entry.
We will be allowing longer duration presentations, of up to 20 minutes
including titles but, in order to allow us to plan the judging and screening of
these, competition entry on the day will be expressly prohibited. And if
the presentation is longer than 10 minutes, the judges will be looking for
clear evidence that the longer length is artistically necessary!
Important Notes for Entrants
The competition rules are listed below, but the following points
should be noted in particular.
- All entry forms must be submitted in advance of the conference. If
you simply turn up with your entry, on the day, without prior warning, you will
not be allowed to enter the competition, although we will try to screen
your entry if we can.
- DVDs / CD-ROMs must be handed in at the competition desk in the
exhibition hall by 12.00 on the Saturday. Alternatively, you may post them at
your own risk to arrive 15 days before the conference. If your entry is
longer than 10 minutes then it is a requirement that you submit the media
four weeks beforehand because we will do preliminary judging of the
longer entries in advance.
- A DVD player and computer projector will be available for playback.
However, if your entry requires a particular media-player package then you are
strongly advised to supply this software or to check, in advance, that we are
likely to have it. If your software requires fast media access, large RAM or a
fast CPU then you are strongly advised to bring your own playback machine.
- Although we are not expecting to receive many (if any) traditional
AVs using slide projectors, these are still very welcome, provided the entrant
supplies all the projection equipment.
Competition Rules
- Eligibility. Anyone may enter the competition. The entrant
must either have played a key role in the production of the entry or should
state if the work is as a result of combined team effort. Winning entries from
previous Hidden Earth or BCRA competitions may not be entered.
- Subject. The subject matter can be any aspect of cave &
mine exploration - this includes, for example, scientific research, rescue and
conservation, as well as more artistic and contemplative treatments.
- Prizes. The judges will award two equal-value 'first prizes'
and will give an unspecified number of distinction and merit awards.
- Judging. Judging will be by a panel of three judges,
independent of BCRA, whose decision is final. Entries will be judged for their
artistic, technical and aesthetic qualities with particular emphasis on
artistic originality and innovation. BCRA reserves the right not to award a
prize if, in the opinion of the judges, the entries are too few and of
insufficient standard to constitute a competition.
- Screening. Entries shorter than 10 minutes will be given a
public screening. For longer entries (up to 20 minutes) we reserve the right to
show just an excerpt in the public screening(s).
- Format. Entries should be submitted on DVD or CD ROM. If your
digital format is anything other than standard DVD (e.g. MOV, WMV, etc) or it
requires a particular media-player package, you should check with the
organisers in advance, and be prepared to bring your own playback equipment.
Playback will be via a computer projector and mono sound channel. We can accept
entries on tape (VHS PAL format only) by prior arrangement. Each presentation
must be less than 20 minutes long (including titles). We will do our best to
play back your entry, but we cannot accept any responsibility for failure of
your media or software to work with our computers.
- Loss, Damage and Insurance. Every care will be taken of the
entries, but the conference organisers cannot accept responsibility for any
damage or loss. The organisers will not be insuring any work and, if required,
entrants should make their own arrangements.
- Copyright & Reproduction. The copyright of all entries
will remain with the authors. The authors should not include any pictorial or
sound material for which they do not either hold the copyright or have the
express permission of the copyright holder. Entries that do not meet this
stipulation will be disqualified. The BCRA reserves the right to reproduce,
without payment, stills from the packaging or content of any entry, for the
purposes of publicity for future conferences. It may be necessary for some
entries to be temporarily retained to allow stills to be printed.
How to Enter
Entries on the day will not be accepted.
You must enter in advance. A completed
entry form should be returned to the Video Salon
co-ordinator, at the address given on the web site, by
the deadlines given below.
- Short entries (less than 10 min.): A completed
entry form should be returned to the Video Competition
co-ordinator, at the address given on the form, at least two weeks
before the conference. The media itself can be deposited on the Saturday of
the conference, by 12 noon.
- Longer entries (10 to 20 minutes): Completed entry forms
and the media must be submitted at least four weeks before
the conference.
British Cave Research Association
(UK registered charity 267828) and British Caving Association.
The Old Methodist Chapel, Great Hucklow, BUXTON, SK17 8RG
This page, http://hidden-earth.org.uk/competitions/video.html was last modified on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:53:13 +0100
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