The 2010 rainchasers video film competition is open for entries between July 1st 2010 and Aug 23rd 2010. The brief is simple, make a 2-3 minute film about paddlesports, send it to us it will be shown on this site and others. After the closing date, our panel of judges will award first, second and third prizes according to the criteria of which film they think is 'best'.

Ok, so now for the terms and conditions stuff;

Entries.

• All entries must be between  2min and 3 min. Content is up to you. The only steer we would give is that it is the film that we are judging, not just the kayaking. Footage used should be largely unseen in the public domain, but can be of any age.
• We will be uploading a video clip in various formats that we would like you to place at the front of the video. It will be available in the downloads section of rainchasers.com. All entrant who mange this task will be awarded 2 points from us as it saves us the task (in this case me and shorty!). If your stuck with it then we can help but its 'nil pointe' from the techy department ;-)!
• Send us the film on a disc to the following address;

Rainchasers film comp, Jenny Hill, Arrad Foot, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7SN

Please include a low res version for web purposes and a high res version for use (with your permission) at festivals etc. The entry should include the details of the entrant(s). This may be a single filmaker who uses unspecified 'models/actors', or a filmaker/kayaker combo or any other variation on that theme. This must be specified at the time of entry. If you use music, then copyright is your call. Its is your choice but if it gets pulled from one of the online providers (we intend to use vimeo) the it will be judged in that state. The 'models' should be aware of, and in agreement with, the use for which the film is being used. The low res film should comply to the follow sepcification as closely as possible. Dont fret if you cant get it exact, you wont be disqualified. However the format we will not deal with is DVD.

• Codec/Format

  Ideally choose quicktime H.264 for the video codec. Mpeg and Avi files are acceptable. Choose AAC for the audio codec.

• Frame rate

  Set it at 25. If there is an option that says “current” just go with that.

• Keyframes

  Every 30 frames.

• Data rate

  1800 kbits/sec (for regular video) or 5000 kbits/sec (for high definition).

• Size

  640x480 (for regular video) or 1280x720 (for high definition).

• Deinterlace

  Yes.

• Sound sample rate

  44.100 kHz

• Audio quality

  You want audio with a bit rate of 128 kbps.

There are some tutorials for specific programs that you can view here and here.

The film remains your property, and you retain full rights, but we ask that you only share it in competition format for the duration of the competition (i.e. The competition version, with sponsors logo, can be embedded elsewhere during this time).

There are no age limits and no limits to the number of entries you may submit. Entrants should be nationals of, or resident in, the UK. Entrants who have existing sponsorship deals with major kayak manufacturing companies may enter films but will not be considered for prizes (please contact me if this requires arbitration). There are no entry fees. Judges decision is final. Scoring will be 5 for first, 3 for second 1 for third. One of the 'judges' will be the audience rating in the rainchasers video section.

Prizes

1st - One year membership of Team Pyranha for up to two people (This should be specified when the film is submitted) and £50 worth of vouchers from The Outdoor Warehouse (against full RRP). The winner (or winners) will be welcomed into the team, and allowed to choose from the Pyranha range of boats at incredibly favourable prices and conditions (mail if you want details of the team deal). Weather the arrangement gets extended is between you and pyranha at a later date, but if you keep coming up with the goods ...

2nd - £100 vouchers for Windermere Canoe and Kayak (Vouchers are redeemed at full RRP of goods, and if entries are pairs then you can sort it between you!)

3rd - £50 vouchers for Windermere Canoe and Kayak (Vouchers are redeemed at full RRP of goods, and if entries are pairs then you can sort it between you!)

Sorry to be formal, but its best to get things straight before we start.

If there any other queries please get in touch with me on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it