$2,000 to be awarded in student video contest; deadline for registration extended to noon March 29

UPDATE: The deadline for entry in the first-ever N.O.W. (New, Original, Western) Films student film contest has been extended to noon Thursday, March 29. Shooting for the 101-hour contest will begin an hour later, at 1 p.m.

The contest is designed to allow students to show off their filmmaking prowess while at the same time assembling a 3-minute piece that tells a powerful story about Western. Register in person at the Student Technology Center or online.

There are two categories in the contest; students may submit to one or both:

Category 1 is an open category and allows for the submission of any film on any topic. Films must be no longer than 3 minutes in length. There are two cash prizes in this category: $250 for the People’s Choice award as chosen by students and $250 for the Judge’s Choice. All pieces entered in this category will be judged evenly on technical merit and creativity. The top three films for the People’s Choice category will be chosen by users in Viking Village; those three pieces will be shown and voted on via smartphone by attendees of the April 11 Digital Media N.O.W. event at 4 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on campus, with the winner of that vote receiving the $250 prize. Submission instructions will be sent via email to the lead team member indicated on the registration form.

Category 2, titled “My University, My Western,” is more focused. Students will have 101 hours to complete a 3-minute project that details why Western is special to them and that could potentially be used to increase awareness and understanding of the university through its marketing efforts. The catch: students will need to focus on a theme that has not yet been released; details will be distributed after the close of registration. Cash prizes in this category are $750 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. Three finalists will be shown in the lobby of the Digital Media N.O.W. event at 4 p.m. April 11 in the PAC, with the winner being announced at the event. Submissions in this category will be judged using the following weighted scale:

• Match the mission of the category: how well does the piece tell Western’s story? = 50 percent
• Creativity and imagery = 30 percent
• Technical skill = 20 percent

Filmmakers may not use any copyrighted material in either category (for example, the Outdoor Sculpture Collection). Specific submission instructions will be sent to lead contacts on the registration form shortly after the registration deadline. All entries must be submitted by April 2.

For more information, contact John Thompson in the Office of University Communications in Old Main 300 at (360) 650-3350 or e-mail him at john.thompson@wwu.edu.