OK Go made the viral video cool. Can they make the video contest cool?
Most music video professionals I know hate video contests, since it essentially asks you to work for free in hopes of fame and glory (and sometimes a cash prize). It's a good opportunity for someone trying to break in, but probably a bad deal for someone who trades in the business of ideas and executing them into a video.
That said, if there was ever a thoughtful band to do a music video contest — one that gets the idea of creative risk and reward — it's OK Go, who blazed a trail as the definitive post-Internet music video band, finding ways to finance and spread videos that have been nothing short of groundbreaking and amazing.
And this contest is clearly aimed at new directors — you don't qualify if you've directed professionally prior to June 2011 — so, if there was ever a time to put away the "you wouldn't trust your dentistry to an amateur contest" philosophy, maybe this is it. (Also, I'm pretty sure I can drill out a cavity in my basement, if you're up for it)
Partnering with OK Go is ad firm Saatch & Saatchi, brand and creative matchmaking site Talenthouse, and UK music video showcase Bug.
Here's the deal:
- Grab the new OK Go song "I'm Not Through"
- Create a music video for the song; post it to YouTube, Vimeo, Muzu or GoAnimate and let the band know via the the Talenthouse listing page by May 7
A shorlist of 10 winners will be chosen by representatives from Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide Creative Board, OK Go and BUG Music Videos.
One Grand Prize winner will receive a round trip flight with accomodations to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June, where your video will be screened in the Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors' Showcase...
There's some fine print: You can't submit pornography. Saatchi & Saatchi will have the right to use your video in perpetuity. Read the legalese if you're concerned or curious. Or, just go make something cool. (I recommend you do the former before you do the latter, but I'm thorough like that).
