Summary:
Review more answers below to such frequently asked questions as…
No. The contest is open to the general public including current AmeriCorps members, or AmeriCorps alums. AmeriCorps includes VISTA, NCCC, and State and National programs.
You can work as a team, but the photo must be submitted by one individual. The prize will be awarded to the individual who submitted the photo.
Beginning April 19, all photos may be uploaded digitally at www.AmeriCorpsContest.org or mail your photo and contact information to Stephanie Grocott, AmeriCorps Video and Photo Contest Coordinator, 2819 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.
The theme of the 2010 Photo Contest is AmeriCorps: Getting Things Done! Think about the following:
The possible ways to show AmeriCorps "getting things done" are endless -- use your creativity to share your AmeriCorps story!
Digital images should be saved as .JPG files at a suggested minimum size of: 8 by 12 inches at 250 DPI or a 3000 by 2000 pixel image. The file name/label must carry the name of the entrant and the key subject (e.g., Msmith.annualfundraiser.jpg). As noted, the contest photos or derivatives of contest photos may be used in future promotional and recruitment materials, public service advertising, websites and others uses to raise awareness and support recruitment for AmeriCorps.
No, you may submit a print of your photo via mail, no larger than 8 by 10 inches; and no smaller than 5 by 7 inches. Write the name and phone number of the entrant on the reverse of the print, include the image on a CD.
There will be grand, first, second, and third place awards given for the Best Overall Photo. All entries will first be reviewed by a panel of Corporation judges who will recommend 10 finalists. The 10 finalist photos will then be made available for viewing and voting on the AmeriCorps Photo Contest website from June 28 – July 9, 2010. The general public will have two weeks to vote.
The ten finalists will be notified directly via e-mail, overnight package and/or telephone prior to an announcement made on the website for the public voting.
We will notify the winner directly using contact information submitted with the photo.
A full listing of official rules and guidelines is available at www.AmeriCorpsContest.org. Some highlights include:
You can submit a maximum of two photos.
We're looking for bold, creative, and exciting photos to help educate the public about AmeriCorps and inspire them to join! Consider capturing a photo in one or more of these AmeriCorps issue areas:
No. Due to the high volume, photos will not be returned.
Yes. All Entrants must declare that they have written consent from people featured or identified in their photos. Please Note: consent requirements may vary from state to state and each participant is responsible for complying with state consent requirements.
Please visit the AmeriCorps website at www.AmeriCorps.gov where you can learn more about the work AmeriCorps is doing across the United States. You may also reach a contest coordinator by sending a message to questions@americorpscontest.org.
All photo entries must include the AmeriCorps logo on signage or on AmeriCorps gear. While you may Photoshop the logo into a photo, it should not simply be in one corner of the photo. You may Photoshop or otherwise edit the logo onto clothing or signage that did not previously have it. However, having the logo without context in the corner of the photo will not meet the requirement.
For video entries, the AmeriCorps logo must appear on the screen at some point during the video. This can be added to any place in the video during editing whether or not the logo otherwise appears on signage or gear. It is acceptable to simply have the logo appear in a final screen shot of the video or at any point in the video. If you are inserting an AmeriCorps logo into the video, we recommend using the standard AmeriCorps logo, which is the first logo listed under AmeriCorps on the Corporation's logo page: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/media_kit/logos.asp
To find AmeriCorps signage or gear, visit www.nationalservicegear.com and check out the AmeriCorps catalog.
You may use any of the official AmeriCorps logos found here: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/media_kit/logos.asp (please scroll down for logos)
You should not use the AmeriCorps contest logo.
Additionally, any state or program specific, customized AmeriCorps logos that adhere to the standards set forth on page 12 of Graphic Standards: A User's Guide may also be used.
Yes, all eligible entries—photos and videos—must contain the AmeriCorps logo.
According to the contest rules, by submitting the photo/video you are declaring that you have the permission of anyone who is recognizable in the photo/video to utilize their image, likeness and/or voice. Photo/video release forms should not be submitted with your entry. However, you should maintain these forms for your records should we need them at a later date.
We have posted a photo/video release form to the new Resource page on the contest site. It may be accessed from either the photo or video contest home pages.
Copyrighted music cannot be used without the permission of the copyright owner.
You may contact the artist or artist’s representative (which may be a record company) to get written permission to use copyrighted material. Please retain the written permission for your records; you may be requested to submit it if you are one of the contest winners.
Many pieces of older music are out of copyright, but the performance itself may be protected. You are responsible for ensuring that you are not infringing upon any copyright, which could result in the disqualification of your video entry. If you are not certain you may want to err on the side of not using the music or double-checking with the current or former copyright owner.
Do an internet search for "royalty free music", "rights free music", or "public domain music". There are a number of sites that carry this type of music. You may also find music in the public domain at the Library of Congress (LOC) site. Please note that not all of the music at the LOC is in the public domain so pay careful attention to the annotations about music you may be interested in using.
Other sources mentioned by webinar participants include:
Check with the Library of Congress for video clips of presidents’ speeches that are in the public domain.
The message within videos submitted to the AmeriCorps Video and Photo contest should be about how AmeriCorps is impacting communities, members and recipients of service. Making connections between members and communities can be a part of that message.
You can use your creativity and imagination in developing your video. Past winners have included a documentary style video, moving comic-book format, script with actors, still photos set to music with brief video clips, and other approaches. Your imagination is the only limit.
All past video contest winners are located here (2007, 2008, and 2009): http://www.americorpscontest.org/PublicContent/Video/PastWinners.aspx
Past photo contest winners may be found here (2009 only): http://www.americorpscontest.org/PublicContent/Photo/PastWinners.aspx
The videos are also on the AmeriCorps Presentation DVD that is part of the AmeriCorps Presentation Kit and on the National Service YouTube channel.