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 main goal is to generate a number of videos which we can use to promote vintage jazz dancing (lindy hop, charleston, balboa, tap, etc.) online and offline (DVD's). There are a number of secondary reasons, including giving dancers a chance to get together, 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.
- 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 some place and videotape them, if you'd like.
- 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.
- Do I have to live in Seattle to enter this contest?
- No. You can live anywhere. You can submit your video online here, or mail a DVD to: SVJD; c/o Alex Yan; 628 11th Ave. E.; Seattle, WA 98102.
- When the contest is over, will we get to see the other videos?
- Yes! There will be a screening of this year's videos, followed by a swing dance, that will occur on June 6, 2012. The judging and awarding of the prizes will occur at this event.
Music
- Why are we only allowed to use music from the selected list?
- We wanted to make sure that we have the rights to redistribute the submitted videos, including any music used in the videos. In addition, we are changing the music selection up slightly for every contest in order to create some variety in the contest entries each year. If you get permission from the band to use their music for your video, that's allowed too.
- Can I submit the same video from last year?
- No. You can submit the same video to only one contest.
- Can I use another band's music instead?
- Yes, but only if you provide written consent of the band along with your video. The band will need to provide written permission that allows you and Seattle Vintage Jazz Dance to use their music. This is intended to be a swing/jazz dance music video, so the music is also required to be swing-era jazz.
- What if I do not comply with these music requirements?
- If you do not use the approved music of the contest, or if you do not provide written permission from another band, then your video will be disqualified from the contest.
Judging
- Who will judge the videos?
- We have not selected our judges yet, but we will have a panel of judges that will include musicians and dancers.
- What will be the criteria for judging the video entries?
- 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.
- 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?
- First place will include a cash prize of $700. Other sponsors so far include HepCat Productions, who is generously donating 40 free dance passes to the weekly Thursday dance for the first place winner. Second place is a $150 cash prize.
- 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 prefer that your disc be a DVD-ROM instead of DVD format. If you record onto a DVD, you can rip the disc yourself, 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 as well. Our main goal with these videos is to promote vintage jazz music and 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?
- Yes. Just make sure they know that there's a pre-existing agreement granting us permission to continue using those videos.
- 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 to do so.
- What if someone wants to use part of my video in another video?
- We will be using your video for promotional purposes. If someone wants to use your video for other purposes, we will refer them to you and you can then come to some agreement with them.