Hey Everyone!

Can you talk technology? Are you fluent in features? Do you hobnob with high-tech society?
If not, that’s okay; MegaPath does.

MegaPath is the leading provider of communications technology services for business in North America. MegaPath offers small, medium, and enterprise businesses services that power their needs for voice communications, Internet data, and security.

And they’re doing a contest with us!

Your Mission:

For Filmmakers—Create a video, up to 60 seconds long, that somehow features techies using obscure high-tech jargon to discuss the finer points of communications technology.
If you’re not fluent in tech speak, you can download the jargon dictionary provided in the materials files to get ideas and verify the correct usage of terms.
Your video could be about techies arguing different points, trying to convince a boss about an obscure point, or it could just be techies waxing poetic about their high-tech muses.
There is a lot of room for humor in this one, but the tech talk needs to come through loud and clear. It may help to use graphics or text to spell out more complex terms. Check the jargon dictionary to perfect your usage.

For IT Consultants—MegaPath’s partners—We have a special opportunity for you. Because you understand this kind of tech talk, we want you to participate as well. We have set aside a special section of prizes just for you (see Awards section). Additionally, there is a Jargon Contest for IT Consultants. Enter your favorite tech term via Twitter or the Comments field on the Jargon Dictionary page for a chance at a $500 prize. See the Jargon Dictionary page or Rules page to learn how to participate in the Jargon contest.

Take it easy,
Manny

I have noticed that among the materials there are 2 end slates png files. Do we necessarily have to use them or can we rewrite the same sentences? The problem is that they are quite long, maybe divide them in different wold be helpful to make them easier to be read

One last question, is it allowed to use an iPad in the video? To tell the truth it is not a real iPad, but an animation

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One last question, is it allowed to use an iPad in the video? To tell the truth it is not a real iPad, but an animation

I think it’s okay if you want to use an animation of a tablet – as long as there are no trademarked logos or brands shown. :)

Quote:

I have noticed that among the materials there are 2 end slates png files. Do we necessarily have to use them or can we rewrite the same sentences? The problem is that they are quite long, maybe divide them in different wold be helpful to make them easier to be read

Hi,

I wouldn’t alter any of the slates they provide. These were approved by the client.

Thanks!
Manny

I did not mean to alter them, I just want to divide them because they are quite long…there are many words to be read and dividing them there is the possibility to make the video more dynamic

One question more, there are 2 end slates, do we necessarely have to use them both?

Yes please use one followed by the other like in the video brief. The transition between the two is up to you.

Thanks!
Manny

If the video that I make turns out to be a bit longer than 60 seconds, like around 2 or three minutes, is it still elligible?

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If the video that I make turns out to be a bit longer than 60 seconds, like around 2 or three minutes, is it still elligible?

No I’m sorry, we have to limit the entries to 60 seconds.

Thanks,
Manny

Any filmers in Toronto want to team up on this? Looking for somebody handy with a camera. The concept, actors and video editing is taken care of. Send me a message if you are interested themanner85@hotmail.com

Just a friendly reminder that the early entry deadline is July 1st! Enter by 4pm for a chance to take home the early entry award of $2000! You’re still going to be eligible for the grand prize of $10,000!

Hi,

I am making a video for this contest. For the 60sec commercial do i need to MegaPath end slates at the end of my video or put any logo or graphic on there?
If yes, where can i find the link to download your logos/materials etc.

thanks
c

Oh, another question:

While using the Jargon Dictionary do i have to be accurate with the term’s meaning or can i do something really fun, poetic and creative?

Quote:

Hi,

I am making a video for this contest. For the 60sec commercial do i need to MegaPath end slates at the end of my video or put any logo or graphic on there?
If yes, where can i find the link to download your logos/materials etc.

thanks
c

You are going to need to use the end slates provided. You can download the materials on http://contest.megapath.com/home . There is a button that allow you to download materials right on the front page.

I was wondering if it was possible to enter a video and win the early bird contest, then enter a second video and have that one be eligible for the main prize at the end? Thanks!

Quote:

I was wondering if it was possible to enter a video and win the early bird contest, then enter a second video and have that one be eligible for the main prize at the end? Thanks!

All videos submitted before July 1st will be both eligible for the early bird prize AND the grand prize at the end! You can submit multiple videos for the contest to make your chances of winning higher, or you can submit one now and submit some more later! But regardless, if you submit a video for the early bird contest, it will still be eligible to win the grand prize :)

Quote:

Oh, another question:

While using the Jargon Dictionary do i have to be accurate with the term’s meaning or can i do something really fun, poetic and creative?

Good question! MegaPath wants videos that use the terms faithfully and accurately. But I bet you could come up with an awesome idea that uses terms both accurately AND creatively!

Good luck!
Julia

I see that there is a differentiation between an IT Professional’s entry and a non-IT Pro. What happens if a person is both? I’m an IT pro and would collaborate with someone who is both a .NET developer and runs a small media production company. The media production company is a proper LLC that collects sales tax and everything so it’s not just a little bit of side fun used as an excuse. Professional photography and video are the company’s focus.

So how would that be looked at? Would the video still have to be submited it as an IT Professional? The $500 prize limit for IT Pros is a bit of a disappointment, especially considering the production times involved and that I can make that same amount of money with three and a half hours of invoiceable tech work. =)

Thanks for your time!

what about if Im just a filmaker and Im going to acting like an IT person? can I participate?

Quote:

I see that there is a differentiation between an IT Professional’s entry and a non-IT Pro. What happens if a person is both? I’m an IT pro and would collaborate with someone who is both a .NET developer and runs a small media production company. The media production company is a proper LLC that collects sales tax and everything so it’s not just a little bit of side fun used as an excuse. Professional photography and video are the company’s focus.

So how would that be looked at? Would the video still have to be submited it as an IT Professional? The $500 prize limit for IT Pros is a bit of a disappointment, especially considering the production times involved and that I can make that same amount of money with three and a half hours of invoiceable tech work. =)

Thanks for your time!

I will double-check for you but I’m pretty sure your video will qualify as an IT Professional as long as you submit it. The $500 prize money is set aside as an extra bonus (it’s a smaller entry pool so higher chance of winning) but it’s also going to qualify for the rest of the prize pool, early entry ($2000) and the grand prize ($10,000)!

You are also able to enter the Jargon contest, which is an extra $500 :)

Quote:

what about if Im just a filmaker and Im going to acting like an IT person? can I participate?

YES! This video contest is not limited to IT professionals only! Anyone can enter! There is just a special contest and prize money set aside for ITs – but the grand prize ($10000) and a majority of the prize money is open for everyone!

If you hurry you’ll be eligible for the early entry deadline too! Which is coming up this Friday! (07/01)

Does the client want the slates on screen long enough to read them? That could eat up a good 5-10 seconds of a submission. Would a second for each slate be enough?

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Does the client want the slates on screen long enough to read them? That could eat up a good 5-10 seconds of a submission. Would a second for each slate be enough?

No, the client didn’t specify. So I think you’re fine just leaving them 1-2 seconds apiece.

Julia

I uploaded my video 3 times, the first being for early bird consideration and it has sound drop outs. It looks and sounds fine as a .mov file on my computer, but after it is uploaded to your site, the sound drops out randomly and it does not match the video. I was thinking it was due to file size, so I decreased it from 5.1 mb to 3.2 to now 1.5 with no change. Any suggestions? Also, I would like to have them removed since it really doesn’t make any since. I did modify the sound while editing (voice effects, noise reduction etc.) but again, the converted quicktime file looked fine. Advice????