How do you judge contest credibility?

[l33tmeatwad]

When it comes to "acceptable content," EVERYONE throws up the PG-13, yet NO ONE sticks by it. Perhaps I just push the line a little bit, but I have gotten comments for some judges about my videos containing unacceptable content in the video, yet there is typically FAR WORSE content in actual PG-13 movies.

This is an important one. Know what PG13 means before you set it as your standard. It allows for conditional use of foul language, non-sexual nudity, somewhat bloody violence, etc. There are lines you have to cross to hit an R rating, and they're much more difficult to do with animated footage than with live action.

Also some of the language constraints in PG-13 does add up
one example is PG-13 allows for the use of the word fuck, once. Say you get 2 or 3 excellent videos that say fuck, and by how you make cuts all 3 would make the contest, how fair is it to at that point only choose one of those videos. Same goes with violence, you can only show so much up to a point and while the video itself may be PG-13, combined with the other videos as a whole in the contest you may push past the line into R.

This is very true, however the rules on most contests state to "keep it PG-13" implying that a particular individual needs to do that. Perhaps there needs to be a standard developed or a better way of limiting it so the overall competition can stay at PG-13. Just some thoughts, I don't have a solution to the problem myself, but it can lead to confusion. This way of looking at it gives the contestant no real way of actually knowing what kind of content they should leave out of their videos.

[Seijin_Dinger]

perhaps stating that the contest as a whole needs to fall within pg-13, then its not stating each video can push it to limits, but outlining that all the finalists combined remain within that guideline

[Amo-Chan]

As far as PG-13 goes, I know that maybe some people are pretty vague as to what actually constitutes that rating. If I've made a PG-13 video I always send a message to the coordinator saying something like "my video has the 'f' word in it, used once in a non-sexual manner, which qualifies as PG-13. Will this be a problem or should I send you an edited version?"
All but once, I've been asked to send the bleeped version. I honestly think contests anymore should just go out and say they only want a G or PG sort of video, because I think that's what they really want.

[Seijin_Dinger]

Amo-Chan: the PG-13 also does allow for a higher degree of violence etc to be displayed

[l33tmeatwad]

From what I've gathered, most contests want PG-13 level violence, with close to radio edit style audio and PG level of sexual content.

[BasharOfTheAges]

Rules on content should pertain to each submission in isolation. An applicant should not be responsible for anyone's content but their own. "This is a <rating> contest" is not a clearly defined thing you should be saying on a rules sheet... it's a wishy-washy statement that's a non-sequitir to the rule set. Direct listings of what you expect out of a single individual video should really be all that you convey with your rules. It's like a contract - or at least most people tend to treat it that way with having to sign it and all - contracts work both ways. Both parties stick to their word.

It's one of those "the convention execs might give me shit about it, but it's in the rules now, so I'll obey and re-write them next year" sorta things.

[Amo-Chan]

Amo-Chan: the PG-13 also does allow for a higher degree of violence etc to be displayed

Oh, I know that. I was just using my own personal example. I don't usually do violence in my vids, but I'm a HUGE fan of swearing XD.

[CorpseGoddess]

Amo-Chan: the PG-13 also does allow for a higher degree of violence etc to be displayed

Oh, I know that. I was just using my own personal example. I don't usually do violence in my vids, but I'm a HUGE fan of swearing XD.

It's been my experience that the "PG-13" usually pertains to language and/or sexually explicit situations, at least in North America. Blood and guts is okay for the kiddies, but for THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T LET THEM SEE ANY TITTIES!

[Rider4Z]

i'll enter anything if:

1.) i'm not required to attend. i would love to attend any and all conventions in north america but i work and need money to pay for my mortgage and car. i enter contests not to win but to give my videos exposure. whether i make the finals / win is up to the judges and/or audience.

2.) mp4 and online submissions are allowed. i save creditless versions of all my videos, compressed and ready for upload. not allowing credits is understandable, but requiring specific amounts of black before and/or after the video is pushing it. those i probably won't submit to if they require i go back to my original source and have to change something.


other than that, whatever the coordinators require is their business. if they have no trolling policies due to the age of a video or wins, then i do my best to oblige. in my opinion, putting on contests is a lot of work and they're the ones doing us the favor. so i try not to contribute to the complaining.

[HalOfBorg]

i'll enter anything if:
1.) i'm not required to attend. i would love to attend any and all conventions in north america but i work and need money to pay for my mortgage and car. i enter contests not to win but to give my videos exposure. whether i make the finals / win is up to the judges and/or audience.
2.) mp4 and online submissions are allowed. i save creditless versions of all my videos, compressed and ready for upload. not allowing credits is understandable, but requiring specific amounts of black before and/or after the video is pushing it. those i probably won't submit to if they require i go back to my original source and have to change something.
other than that, whatever the coordinators require is their business. if they have no trolling policies due to the age of a video or wins, then i do my best to oblige. in my opinion, putting on contests is a lot of work and they're the ones doing us the favor. so i try not to contribute to the complaining.

Wow - I could have written this - but not as well. (in fact, I think I did)