Matsuricon Deadline Passed

[ngsilver]

Here are the official rules for the 2006 Matsuricon AMV contest. You can find these rules and entry form on the convention website linked in my signature. You can also grab the entry form and a portable copy of the rules here: http://contests.ngsilver.com/matsuri/

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Matsuricon 2006 AMV Contest Rules

Please read all of the rules before entering!

<b>Entry Requirements:</b>
<ul>
<li>Each individual may enter up to 2 videos. Each video must be submitted for different categories however.
<li>Only videos made after April 1st 2004 will be accepted.
<li>Prize trolling is allowed. Feel free to enter a video that has won other contests. However, only 1 entry will be allowed that is not original. In other words, only 1 video that has been seen at another contest will be allowed to be entered. You can however submit your original entry to another contest after Matsuricon, so long as it isn't screened at another contest before Matsuricon.
<li>Entries may not contain bumpers, title screens, credits, or any other form of identification.
<li>Running time for videos may not exceed 6 minutes.
<li>Videos must contain 50% anime or video game footage.
<li>All videos must be in the hands of the contest coordinators by April 1st, 2006.
<li>By submitting your video(s) to this contest you authorize us to screen and distribute it under the Matsuricon AMV Contest title. All physical media (CD-R, DVD-R, DVD+R, ect) submitted become the property of Matsuricon and will not be returned.
<li>Entries may be disqualified for the following reasons: Objectionable content in the song or video, bad audio or video quality, or subtitled footage. Subtitles may or may not be allowed depending on their relevance to the video and/or upon their source. If you are unsure if your video will be disqualified based on the above rule e-mail the contest coordinator and we can view the content and make a decision.
<li>Matsuricon staff reserve the right to disqualify a video for any reason they deem necessary.
</ul>

<b>Entry formats:</b>
<ul>
<li>Entries will be accepted in the following formats:
<ul><li>AVI
<ul><li>HUFFYUV
<li>DIVX
<li>XVID
<li>DV
</ul><li>MPEG
<li>MPEG-2
</ul>
<li>Videotape and DVD formatted entries will NOT be accepted. WMV, RM, and MOV files will also NOT be accepted. (If you use windows moviemaker you can output in AVI format. The <a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/" target="new">a-m-v.org</a> forums can assist you in doing this)
<li>All files should include at least 1 second of black space before and after the video.
<li>Digital video file format specifications (these are what all files will be converted to for the contest screening):
<ul><li>720x480 frame size
<li>23.97 or 24 fps (progressive)
<li>29.97 fps (interlaced)
<li>44.1 kHz or 48 kHz 16 bit stereo uncompressed PCM audio
<li>MPEG-2 bit rate must not exceed 15 Mbps
<li>Progressive footage converted with 3:2 pulldown
</ul><li>You may submit your video with compressed audio, however be advised that if you do not include an uncompressed wav file of the audio, your video may be disqualified if there are any problems with converting the audio.</ul>

<b>Contest information:</b>

<ul><li>All videos screened at the contest will be converted to the specifications listed above. Submitting your video with these specifications will allow you to preview how your video will look during the contest.
<li>The contest will be played via MPEG-2 output from a Realmagic Hollywood+ card. You can purchase this card online if you wish to preview how your video will appear on the screen. They are relatively inexpensive.
<li>The backup display method for the contest will be via S-video output from a GeForce graphics card.
<li>The contest running time will be 2 hours. If we receive more entries then we have time for, videos will have to be cut from the contest pool until the contest meets the time requirements. A listing of the videos selected for screening will be posted on <a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/" target="new">a-m-v.org</a> and the convention forums within 1 week of the showing. We are sorry if your video does not make it into the contest but this step is necessary.
<li>Video selection will be broken down as such:
<ul><li>Disqualified videos are removed first
<li>Remaining videos are ordered via category. The videos in each category are counted and then equalized until entries of one type are exhausted. If time is not met, category sizes are increased in increments until time is met.
<li>Original entries are given priority over trolling entries. In other words, trolling entries will be the first to be cut if the need arises.
</ul><li>The following awards will be given:
<ul><li>Best of Show
<li>Best Action
<li>Best Comedy
<li>Best Drama
<li>Best Upbeat
<li>Best Technical
<li>Most Original Concept
<li>Staff Pick
</ul>
<li>Videos will be judged by the audience for all awards except Best Technical and Most Original Concept, which will be decided upon by Matsuricon AMV staff. Also, Matsuricon staff will decide upon Staff Pick.
<li>Judging ballots will be handed to the audience during the screening and will be deposited in drop boxes at the end of the screening. The ballots will then be tabulated and the winners announced at the award ceremony.
<li>You do not need to be present at the convention to win. However, if you want your award and prizes you must have a proxy at the con to pick them up or send SASE to the contest coordinator (you will be contacted in this case).
<li>You may submit entries for the following categories:
<ul><li>Drama
<ul><li>Videos in this category seek to evoke emotional responses from the audience by successful combination of music, video, and editing which usually involves dramatic subject matter or dramatic elements from the anime. Videos in this category may contain action sequences, but these scenes should not be the focus of the video.
</ul> <li>Action
<ul><li>Videos will focus on action whether that is fighting sequences, motions of characters, or fast paced colorful imagery. The key word to think of here is adrenaline.
</ul>
<li>Comedy
<ul><li>Whether parody or just wacky content, videos in this category can be pretty successful as long as someone thinks it's funny.
</ul>
<li>Upbeat
<ul><li>Music videos in the upbeat category are uplifting and have a beat that one can groove to.
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<b>Entry Submission:</b>

<ul><li>All entries must contain an entry form. Those submitting multiple entries will need to submit an entry form for each video. The entry form may be found <a href="http://www.ngsilver.com/matsuri.htm" target="new">HERE</a> (PDF only) or by emailing the contest coordinator. Entry forms MUST be printed and mailed, as they require a signature. Videos submitted without a signed form will be disqualified.
<li>Typed documents containing the same information requested in the entry form will not be accepted. The entry form is also a contract, and a signature is required.
<li>FTP submissions are now being accepted. Information can be found arround the 7th post.
<li>Mail your Entry Form and your entry to:
<ul><li>ATTN: Matsuri2k6
<li>Nathan Silverthorn
<li>15750 Gulley
<li>Taylor, MI, 48180
</ul>
<li>The following media types will be accepted: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-DL, DVD+DL
<ul><li>Remember that all media submitted will not be returned. Don't send us your master copy
</ul>
</ul>
If you have any questions you can direct them to the contest coordinator at <a href="mailto:amv@matsuricon.org">amv@matsuricon.org</a>. Feel free to post questions here or PM me as well.

[Scintilla]

<li>The contest will be played via MPEG-2 output from a Realmagic Hollywood+ card. You can purchase this card online if you wish to preview how your video will appear on the screen. They are relatively inexpensive.

Why does everybody still say this in their contest rules, when <a href="http://www.buyrealmagic.com/">the RealMagic online store</a> does not list the Hollywood+ card and, IIRC, hasn't for at least a year now?

The cheapest Netstream card they offer is $300.

[ngsilver]

Perhaps because you still can buy it, quite cheap I might add. I got one for $5 bucks. Ebay is a wonderful place.

[VerDjR]

Count me in . Can't wait to enter my videos (my newer ones i mean ).

[ngsilver]

[no need for an emergency FTP anymore, MODs may delete this post if they so desire]

[ngsilver]

Just a quick note, the video specifications that the contest has changed slightly. The only change is that any progressive video source that is encoded to MPEG-2 will be encoded with 3:2 pulldown on playback.

For the best playback quality if you are submitting in MPEG-2 using the specifications given, please do the same.

[ngsilver]

Good news for those of you who don't like sending your videos in via snail-mail, Matsuricon has secured an FTP server! So now you may submit your videos via the FTP if you so wish.

The infomation about the FTP follows:

ip - matsuriconamv.serveftp.com
port - 169
user - MatsuriconAMV (case sensitive)
pass - G5adbArv (case sensitive)

This will give you access to upload your video and Entry Form, see file names and browse folders. However, you cannot download from it. You will also not be able to delete, append or anything ese to your files. So make sure you upload it all in one shot or you will have to contact the FTP administrator to fix it.

Please upload your video and entry form in the folder for your category.

As such, you MAY upload a scanned copy of your completed and signed entry form if you submit your video via FTP. The reason it must be scanned is because anyone can make a text file. It protects you and us.

If you have any problems with the FTP server please contact iceman.f1@gmail.com for help.

[ngsilver]

A note for those of you submitting entries, please write legibly. If you submitted an entry and I haven't replied within 5 days that it was recieved if you marked the box, it means I could not read your email address, or the address you provided wont accept my emails. Without a legible and working email address I cannot confirm reciept of a video. ^^()

[ngsilver]

The contest deadline is fast approaching. I know everyone waits until the last minute to submit their videos, but I thought I would remind you that you all have a little over 3 more weeks left to get your entries in. April 1st is the deadline.

Remember FTP submissions are available.

[ngsilver]

Final warning. The contest deadline is approaching REALLY FAST! you have until Saturday to get your videos in. There will be no extension because I already gave you all the time I can give.

So stop procrastinating and get your videos in!