How It Works – The Basics

This page summarizes some of our Official Rules. This page is not the full or final word; the Official Rules are.

THE BASICS: How Reel Insights Contests Work

  1. We launch a new contest each month, each with a different theme. (Watch our Tweets for launch announcements).
  2. You create a video and upload it to a video sharing site like YouTube or Vimeo.
  3. You enter our contest by filling out this form, which includes a link to your video.
  4. We’ll post interesting entries on this website as they come in.
  5. The judges pick the best videos, declaring these “Potential Contest Winners”.
  6. Potential winners are notified and have a short period to additional materials to us, which we call “Additional Elements.” These include original footage, talent release forms and other forms.
  7. Potential Contest Winners are confirmed as Contest Winners and are awarded the prizes, so long as the Additional Elements are deemed complete and satisfactory.
  8. We publicize the winners and their video entries.

What You Need To Submit to Us

  • First, Submit Just Your Contest Entry: Upload the video you created to a video-sharing site like YouTube or Vimeo. Fill out this form to enter.
  • If You Win (And Only If You Win!) Submit Additional Elements: If you are selected as a Potential Contest Winner, you will need to submit these:
    • At least thirty minutes of highly pertinent raw footage (from which you created your edited video). We’ll send you information on how to mail or upload your footage.
    • A short bio and digital photo for our publicity campaigns.
    • Talent release forms from everyone who appeared in the video.
    • Location release forms from any private property on which you shot but do not own.
    • Rights transfer agreements granting Reel Insights the rights to your footage.
    • Media Usage Agreements or proof of ownership if you used various media in the entry (like music, photos or illustrations)
    • A W-9 if you are an American or live in the US.

How Videos Are Judged

A three-judge panel including professionals from the fields of video anthropology, market research, and video production reviews eligible entries. Some judges (or all) may work for Reel Insights or its parent organization, Snippies.

Judges use these criteria:

  1. Did the video uncover why subjects say what they say and do what they do, as related to the theme? In other words, what are their underlying motivations?
  2. Did the video feel fresh and authentic?
  3. Was wisdom and emotion present in the video?
  4. Did the video tell a story?
  5. Was the audio and video quality clear and crisp?

Other Imporant Notes

  • The video you initially enter is yours alone, not Reel Insights’. You should obtain the permission of those in the video at a minimum, but that is your issue. We cannot stop you from posting any video.
  • If you win and only if you win, we obtain rights to the video from you. At that point the video becomes ours, though you have permission to use it to promote yourself and show on your website, etc.
  • You’ll need to videotape the forms being signed (again, only if you win!). That helps us ensure that the signatures are authentic.
  • Minors (under 18 years old) involved in creating the film or appearing in it must submit parent/legal guardian signatures as well as their own (only if they win).

Our Official Rules

The Official Rules for Reel Insights Video Contests are the only rules which govern our contests. In cases where the Official Rules differ from what is written here or elsewhere on the website, the Official Rules prevail.

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