Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions that are not answered here, please send your question to alex at seattlevintagejazzdance dot com.
General Contest Questions
- Why are you running this contest?
- The primary reason is because we are trying to generate a number of videos which we can use to promote vintage jazz dancing (lindy hop, charleston, balboa, etc.) online and offline (DVD's). There are a number of secondary reasons, including giving dancers a chance to get together and choreograph and be creative.
- Is swing dancing required in the video?
- No. Some form of vintage jazz dance (swing dancing, tap dancing, charleston, etc.) is required, but not for the entirety of the video. Just try out whatever ideas you have and in all likelihood, it'll work fine.
- Can I make a commercial for The Gap?
- No. Please do not use other companies' logos and names without their permission.
- Can I submit an animated video?
- If you prefer to submit a video entry using animation of any form (computer-generated, hand-drawn, stop-motion), that's perfectly fine. Just don't use any pre-existing characters that other animation studios have the copyright on (like Bugs Bunny or Mickey Mouse).
- Does the dancing have to be choreographed?
- No. You can get a bunch of people to just social dance in some random place and just videotape them if you want. We would encourage you to at least put some thought into choreography, though, as it's more likely to win the contest.
- Where can I find help with editing my video?
- Click here to check out our list of resources.
- Editing video seems daunting to me! Can I just not do it?
- Don't be daunted! Get that camera in your hand, grab a boom box, and go record some dancing! We'll take your video even if there's no editing, and it just uses the sound from a CD boom box recorded on your camera. If you want to do more editing, check out our page of resources, and feel free to contact some of the people listed there.
- Are there examples of vintage jazz-era music videos?
- Yes. Click here to check out some examples on YouTube and Google Video.
- Do I have to live in Seattle to enter this contest?
- No. You can live anywhere.
- When the contest is over, will we get to see the other videos?
- The plan is that a week or so after the contest closes for entries, we will have a video watching and dance party where we will show all the videos during the day and host a dance at night. This plan may change if we get so many submissions that we'd need 2 days to view all the videos. The judging and awarding of the prizes also happens at this event.
Music
- Why are you using only music from the Big Bang Jazz Band, Crytzer's Blue Rhythm Band, or the Solomon Douglas Swingtet?
- We wanted to make sure that we have the rights to redistribute the submitted videos, including any music that's on the videos.
- Can I use my own band's music instead?
- Yes, but you have to let us have the right to redistribute the music on the video. You cannot use the same recording in more than one contest either.
Judging
- Who will judge the videos?
- We have not selected our judges yet, but we will have a panel of judges that will include local and international experts on both film and dance.
- What will be the criteria for judging the video entries against each other?
- Each video will be judged mostly based on how entertaining it is. Other factors that the judges will be asked to weigh in on are: use of music, creativity, humor, and dancing quality.
- What if I only have an old video camera? Will my video be less likely to win?
- The judges will be asked to not take video camera quality into account for their judging.
Prizes
- What prize do the winners get?
- We are still working on the prizes, but at the very least, first place will include a cash prize. Other sponsors so far include HepCat Productions, who is generously donating 40 free dance passes to the weekly Thursday dance.
- I'd like to donate to the contest prizes, how can I do that?
- That's great! Contact alex at seattlevintagejazzdance dot com, or talk to Alex Yan at a dance, and he'll gratefully talk to you about it.
Video File Formats
- What video file formats are supported?
- Most major video file formats are supported:
- Apple Quicktime
- AVI
- mpeg-1, mpeg-2, mpeg-4
- DivX
- Windows Media Format
- Can I give you a VHS tape?
- Please don't: we want content that we can share online or in other formats, so we want to be able to edit it, and VHS quality is just not enough. If you only have access to a VHS camcorder, please contact us and we'll work with you to accomodate your restrictions.
- Can I give you a DVD?
- Again, we would like the video format to be a digital format in the above list, and while DVD is technically mpeg-1, we don't want to deal with having to rip the disc in order to get the video. You can rip the disc yourself, however, using HandBrake.
Distribution Rights
- If I submit a video for entry into the contest, will I still have the rights to it?
- You will have the rights to do anything you want with your own video, but you also give us (SVJD) the right to use it in whatever way we wish. For the most part, we will be using it to promote vintage jazz dance.
- If I don't win anything, will you still have the right to use my video(s)?
- Yes. Any non-winning entries may still be used for our purposes in promoting vintage jazz music and dance.
- Can I sell my videos to someone else?
- Sure, if you want. Just make sure they know that there's a pre-existing agreement granting us permission to use that video in any way we wish.
- Will you sell my video?
- Part of the band's compensation will be use of these videos in a DVD which they can sell at jazz festivals, if they so wish. While we retain the right to sell your video, there's no real foreseeable reason we would ever do so.
- What if someone wants to use part of my video in another video or something?
- We will be using your video for promotional purposes. If someone wants to use your video, we will refer them to you and you can then come to some agreement with them.
- I want to use someone else's video. Can you give it to me?
- If it's in the cause of swing and vintage jazz dancing promotion, sure! We'd be happy to help you out. If it's for a ad or a commercial, we'd need to talk over the details. If it's for something else, we'd gladly put you in contact with the creators of the video and you can work it out with them.