if there was an award for "Biggest Judges' Pain the the A**," mine would assuredly have won hands-down! thanks to them for their patience and forbearance.

the biggest prize in taking these challenges on is learning something new each time. for my little video, i:

1) tried shooting with my steady stick, which has been in a drawer for about eight months. decided it is not as steady as i would like it to be. or maybe i need more practice. better than pure handheld, though.

2) learned a new motion and compositing special effect in FCP

3) made a first short narrative (most everything i've done in the past is documentary in nature)

4) learned a whole new (and long overdue) skill set in learning web delivery and its do's and don't's--and managed to post my first online video

i don't know of many prizes or awards which could mean more than the sum of learning all of that in a week. let's do it again....

AH, I totally mislead you with the "pro" & "amateur" statement. My bad. I should have said simply, "I'm thinking of having a first time filmmaker category."

There, how's that? :)

Oh yes,
if you won anything, e-mail me your address!!!!

That's cool - I heartily endorse a first-time filmmaker category (or an under 18 category).

Yeah, it almost comes down to how many catagories can the thing support. I agree that a 1st time at bat thing might be good, as long as that doesn't leave you out of the main catagory. Like me, I could have won the first timer award but would I have still been eligible for the overall or other catagories? I would hope so.

The under 18 idea hits a chord as someone else mentioned that there is a distinction in styles for various ages involved. I never would have thought to go comedy for "Secrets" as my age and nature dictate I look for dark clouds rather than funny silver linings. I am not too sure that's age related but I think it probably is. I am 44, going on 23 (but my wife says it's more like 17)

Sean

I'll start a new thread on possible rule changes for the next one so we can get back on topic here. :)

Hi everyone,

I just got back from a job, and have been reading the long list of replies to this thread.

To be quite honest, I'm in a mild state of shock (kind of nice actually).

I know that I should come up with some fantastic speech or something, but I'm having trouble finding the keys to express myself.

I think the best thing to do, is to start a new thread, and blubber there.

Thanks to everyone. I am greatly honored by this.

Thank you so very much for your kind acknowledgement, Guy. It was very nice to read, as well as some very helpful tips on the piece itself. I recieved other tips from judges and folks on the forum, and I closely studied techniques that I hope to learn from. I think the judges did an excellent job - an I am excited that I am getting great info to work with. Thanks again for your post.
-Jon

Ok,
Can we see all the videos of those that won?

We newbies can learn something you know.

I think they have a thread revealing all the videos that won on DVXUSER.NET.


Can we too have something like that?

..and just incase I am not looking at the right thread, can someone please post the link(S) here please?.

Thanks.