Can I, the filmmaker, profile myself or my family? Yes, if you or your family members fit the “Entry Criteria” for the type of person we’re looking for (i.e., “Left-handed people with naturally red hair”).
Can I use narration? Yes, but please keep it minimal. The footage on screen should be guiding the story.
Can I use title screens within the video? Yes, but also keep it minimal.
Who is eligible to enter the contest? You must be at least 14 years old. Some contests are limited geographically (for example, to residents of the US or Canada). Check the specific contest’s Official Contest Page for details.
Might the footage I submit end up broadcast on television, the internet or elsewhere?
Yes.
Who owns the footage I submit? You own most rights to it until we buy them from you. Note that once you post a video on a public site, there are complex rules which apply including those of the site you’ve posted on, those for journalists as a whole, and possibly other local, state and federal laws. We also maintain the right to show submitted videos in various venues, but not sell them directly for money.
If you win the contest, the prize money will serve as our offer to buy all rights you own to that footage, plus at least 30 minutes of additional, related footage. Once the documents are signed, we own the footage and all rights to it (forever). You can, however, continue to show the video on your reel and on your website as part of your portfolio.
Do I need release forms from people in the background?
Depends. The surest way to be safe is to have releases from everyone in the video. However, people incidental to the action, who appear in passing, may be excused from this requirement. Reel Insights will make the sole determination whether a release is needed from an individual appearing in the video, and if it isn’t possible to obtain that release, whether the entry is disqualified. Having said that, our interest is in NOT disqualifying anyone without good cause.
A decent overview of the rules regarding releases from people incidental to the event appears here (though it mentions Oklahoma, similar rules apply in many locales). If you are shooting at an event, posting of a “Crowd Release” is helpful, and we will consider that in our determination, so long as video proof of the posting is submitted (showing the posting, on location, clearly visible, during the event). An example of a Crowd Release, in Word format, is found here.
Is the prize money taxable?
Yes. If you live in the United States (or are an American abroad) you’ll receive a 1099 form from us if your prizes are over $600 during the year. However, your production expenses are likely to be tax-deductible since we are essentially buying your winning footage (thus making you a business). Please consult an accountant for advice specific to your situation.
FAQs
This page may summarize some of our Official Rules. This page is not the full or final word; the Official Rules are.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does the Contest Work?
This document gives an overview. The Official Rules give full details.
Can I, the filmmaker, profile myself or my family?
Yes, if you or your family members fit the “Entry Criteria” for the type of person we’re looking for (i.e., “Left-handed people with naturally red hair”).
Can I use narration?
Yes, but please keep it minimal. The footage on screen should be guiding the story.
Can I use title screens within the video?
Yes, but also keep it minimal.
Who is eligible to enter the contest?
You must be at least 14 years old. Some contests are limited geographically (for example, to residents of the US or Canada). Check the specific contest’s Official Contest Page for details.
Might the footage I submit end up broadcast on television, the internet or elsewhere?
Yes.
Who owns the footage I submit?
You own most rights to it until we buy them from you. Note that once you post a video on a public site, there are complex rules which apply including those of the site you’ve posted on, those for journalists as a whole, and possibly other local, state and federal laws. We also maintain the right to show submitted videos in various venues, but not sell them directly for money.
If you win the contest, the prize money will serve as our offer to buy all rights you own to that footage, plus at least 30 minutes of additional, related footage. Once the documents are signed, we own the footage and all rights to it (forever). You can, however, continue to show the video on your reel and on your website as part of your portfolio.
Do I need release forms from people in the background?
Depends. The surest way to be safe is to have releases from everyone in the video. However, people incidental to the action, who appear in passing, may be excused from this requirement. Reel Insights will make the sole determination whether a release is needed from an individual appearing in the video, and if it isn’t possible to obtain that release, whether the entry is disqualified. Having said that, our interest is in NOT disqualifying anyone without good cause.
A decent overview of the rules regarding releases from people incidental to the event appears here (though it mentions Oklahoma, similar rules apply in many locales). If you are shooting at an event, posting of a “Crowd Release” is helpful, and we will consider that in our determination, so long as video proof of the posting is submitted (showing the posting, on location, clearly visible, during the event). An example of a Crowd Release, in Word format, is found here.
Is the prize money taxable?
Yes. If you live in the United States (or are an American abroad) you’ll receive a 1099 form from us if your prizes are over $600 during the year. However, your production expenses are likely to be tax-deductible since we are essentially buying your winning footage (thus making you a business). Please consult an accountant for advice specific to your situation.