May 17, 2012

Bike Week Video Contest – Call for Submissions

The Halifax Cycling Coalition would like to invite you to participate in the Bike Week Video Contest!

This contest gives local filmmakers of all skill levels a chance to exercise their creativity and talent by creating a short film of 35 seconds or less that highlights the benefits of cycling.

Participants may work in teams or as individuals; however, only one prize will be awarded for each of the winning videos.  Individuals and at least one participant from teams must live within the Halifax Regional Municipality. The winning video will receive a prize of $250.00!

We’re looking for all types of videos:  Action, comedy, tragedy, educational, inspirational, artistic, or a blend of genres.

Here are some suggested themes:

  • Health and Fitness
  • Environment and Sustainability
  • The Joy of Cycling
  • Cycling vs. Driving

What to do:

1) Make the video.  Write it, direct it, film it.  Add music, maybe some special effects.  This part is up to you.
2) Upload your video to YouTube.
3) Send us a link at bikeweekvideo@gmail.com
4) Tell people to vote for your video by watching it on the HCC website ( cyclehalifax.ca ) and sending their votes by email to bikeweekvideo@gmail.com
5) Come out to Bike to the Movies on May 30th for the Video Contest Awards Ceremony

Voting will start May 22nd so get your video in by then to get as many votes as possible.  Videos will not be accepted after May 28th.

Here is a list of tips on uploading videos on YouTube.

 

GOOD LUCK!!!


What to do

  • Upload videos in their original resolution – Videos should be uploaded at the highest resolution available. Videos uploaded with a 16:9 aspect ratio will fit the player perfectly. Most 4:3 resolutions are supported, but the video will be pillarboxed in order to fit the player.
  • Upload videos with high bitrates – Higher bitrate content will look better on YouTube, simply put. View our recommended bitrates for high quality uploads.
  • Upload videos with a 1:1 pixel aspect ratio – Videos without a square (1:1) pixel aspect ratio may not fit properly in the player.
  • Upload videos with a supported file format – Supported file formats are consistently more reliable than alternatives.
  • Upload videos in original quality whenever possible – If you do not need to edit your video, simply upload the unaltered original recording for optimal quality.
  • Upload videos with an identical Audio/Video durations – Audio and Video tracks should begin and end at exactly the same time.

What NOT to do

  • No Project files – Project files are not real video files. Common unacceptable project files are .mswmm and .wlmp. Learn how to convert project files to an acceptable format.
  • No audio or images – YouTube does not accept audio and image files. However, you can easily convert these files to video.
  • No DVD files – Don’t upload files types such as .WOB, .IFO and .BUP, which are not actual video files.
  • Don’t alter videos from the original frame rate – Altering videos from their original frame rates prior to upload may result in an undesirable outcome. For example, videos captured at 24 fps should be uploaded at 24 fps.
  • No interlaced content – Your videos should be deinterlaced prior to upload. In your video encoder, you should select Deinterlace or Progressive scan if these options are available.