Hey,

I've been following everyone on here for a bit and wanted to take the time to introduce myself. I manage Howcast's Emerging Filmmakers Program and we just launched a filmmaking contest, the How-To Video Challenge!

First prize is $2000 and we've got awesome judges lined up-- Peter Baxter, Slamdance Film Festival; Jeff Cooperman, The Colbert Report; Katherine Sharpe, ReadyMade Magazine; Tim Sullivan, Magical Elves (Project Runway, Top Chef).

We're on the hunt for a fresh, creative approach to the how-to video....can you reinvent the how-to in three minutes or less?

Here are all the links you need to get started:

The How-To Video Challenge...Knock our socks off. We dare you. http://www.howcast.com/videochallenge
Guidelines: http://www.howcast.com/contest...eo-Challenge/details
Rules: http://www.howcast.com/contest...ideo-Challenge/rules

Good luck and happy shooting!

-Heather

Hey,

I wanted to reach back out and let you know -- there are just 3 weeks left to make and upload the video that takes home the $2000 first prize in Howcast's How-To Video Challenge!

If you could use 2000 bucks (or 2nd prize -- a neat Sony Webbie HD camera), all you need is a camera and a cool idea for a how-to video. We're looking for inventors with unique DIY projects and filmmakers who can put a creative spin on the simple how-to.

Check out these links to read the guidelines and rules, see the prizes, meet the jury....and spy the competition! The deadline is July 28...there's no fee to enter...and you can even enter as many times as you like!

http://www.howcast.com/videochallenge
How-To Video Challenge Guidelines: http://www.howcast.com/contest...eo-Challenge/details
How-To Video Challenge Official Rules: http://www.howcast.com/contest...ideo-Challenge/rules

Good luck!

Cheers,
Heather

Hey...Heather here...again.

Just wanted everyone to know it's not too late to submit a kick-a** how-to video to Howcast's How-To Video Challenge! We had lots of requests to extend the deadline, so here it is: The new deadline for uploading the video that scores $2000 is August 11!

That's 2 extra weeks to put the finishing touches on your entry or 2 solid weeks to get started if you haven't already. Spend a little time getting creative in these next 2 weeks and come September you could be 2000 bucks richer, playing with your new Webbie HD camera, or going on a little shopping spree in the Apple Store, on Howcast.

Here are all the new dates:

Deadline: August 11
Voting Period: August 12 – August 24
Jury Deliberation: August 25 – September 3
Winners announced the week of September 7!

Good luck!

-Heather

Check out these links to read the guidelines and rules, see the prizes, and meet the superstar jury panel:
http://www.howcast.com/videochallenge
Guidelines: http://www.howcast.com/contest...eo-Challenge/details
Official Rules: http://www.howcast.com/contest...ideo-Challenge/rules

Who will win $2000 from Howcast? Voting Opens Today!

Howcast's How-To Video Challenge is coming to a close...but that opens the door for viewers to finally have their say! Voting opens today and runs all the way up to August 24th.

There are just about 150 entries -- we've got talking bread, a musical, and a mock newscast, to name only a few. You can vote as many times as you like and you can vote for the same video once per day.

If you have a few minutes, I hope you'll cast your vote for the most original and most creative entries. At stake: $2000, a Sony Webbie HD camera package, and a Nano and Apple Store gift certificate.

Have your say in who gets into the exclusive top ten, who will go on to be judged by our stellar jury panel: http://www.howcast.com/contest...owTo-Video-Challenge

Cheers,
Heather

The votes are in and the jury has spoken in Howcast's How-To Video Challenge. With over 150 entries, How to Make Olive Bread impressed voters and jurors to score first place and $2000. Using top-notch stop-motion animation skills, Keith Heyward's video features Oliver de Loaf, a talking loaf of olive bread, narrating the recipe for homemade olive bread (what else?).

Scoring second and third place were Anthony Redendo, with How To Stage a Hit-And-Run Using Special Effects, and Meghan Mathes, with How To Spoon. Anthony is such a pro at the editing effect, we dare you not to cringe when you see the car "collide" with his actor; while Meghan's video, accompanied by a sweet song written especially for the spot, covers all the spooning basics, including what to do with that other arm and no-nos like snoring.

You can check out the winning spots and all ten finalists here: http://www.howcast.com/videochallenge

I'm off to go bake some bread...

Cheers,
Heather
emergingfilmmakers@howcast.com