This should be a community effort even though the idea sprouted in just a couple of heads. So I’m putting out the call to any and all: HELP PLEASE.

I’ve only ever run one contest before so I’m guessing there are things I’m not even aware I’m not considering. And I can’t do everything myself – don’t think that’s a good idea anyhow.

So what do I mean?

1. Prizes are going to be cash pure and simple. Is that the right thing to do? I’ve had the idea proposed by one merchant that they should be ‘Grand Forks Bucks’ meaning that the money has to be spent in town. I have my own views on that but what are yours? Without helpers I don’t know …
2. Prizes – that’s plural. So how many prizes? 3, 4 or as many as get votes?
3. How to decide which ‘winning’ entry gets what portion?
   I woke up this morning with this idea in my head: At the judging event every attendee gets a vote ticket. At the end we count all the votes and split the prize money into that many portions. Then each entry gets as many of those portions as they got votes … potentially every entry could get a piece but ones with the most votes would get the biggest piece. But is that the right way to do it?
4. Completely Original Videos vs Videos With 3rd party Content.
   Elsewhere on this site I mention that I think it would ok if entrants use material they have not themselves created as long as it is legitimately usable by them through copyright permissions. (I was talking about music primarily but his could apply to some other parts of their creations.)
   1. So how do we deal with that when it comes to voting or judging?
   2. Do they suffer a penalty in some way for not being completely original?
   3. If so: how does that work?
   4. OR should the use of 3rd party content be dis-allowed completely?
5. What is the best date for the ‘voting’ to happen?
   I’m kind of leaning on some time in September because most of the kids will be back in school (so back from where ever their vacations or jobs took them during the summer) and there is a feeling that many of the entrants will be from that part of the community. But when in September?
6. The contest will take place at The Gem Theatre. I’m pretty much set on this venue – they have the Big Screen, they’re in the heart of downtown, they’re a community oriented family run business and when I came to them with the idea I found out they had thought of it first.
   But should we have preview showings ‘along the way’ as entrants come in? Such as at the Fall Fair at the end of August? If we had a number of entries we could show them on a projector there one evening … And on the web … should they be viewable by anyone all the way to the contest?
7. Sponsors.
   How best to deal with sponsors – it’s not something I’ve ever had to deal with myself.
   Initially my thought was this: you contribute to the prize money and you / your company gets a mention and a credit at the end of whatever final production(s) come out of this. Name and / or Logo. And at any ‘viewing events’ along the way. Support = Recognition.
   But am I missing something?
8. Time Limitations. How long is too long?
   I’m tending towards a maximum length of 5 minutes. Anything longer becomes a stand alone epic that may or may not hold attention that long but might create timing issues when it comes to contest viewing and voting. But is imposing limitations wrong? Would that best be left up to the voters at judgment time?

Gee … there’s a list for now (April 26, 2013). I’ll add to it as things crop up.

Feel free to comment on this or, if you’d rather keep your suggestions private, you can send me your comments, suggestions and criticisms by email to help (at) showoffgrandforks.com. Or stop me in the street …