Earn Some Coin and Shwag – Contest Websites!

Finding the reason to go out and create something awesome can kind of be a daunting task, what with our real life jobs that pay, families, school, responsibilities and everything else in the world that might make you hold back from taking that jump into head-on, gung-ho creativity mode.  But sometimes all we need is a little incentive.  There are hundreds upon hundreds of contests going on all the time, some might pay in gift cards, free gear, or quite possibly cash… either way, it is going to prompt you to get out there and get creative, make something sweet, and feel good about it too.  We are going to look at a few sites that I watch, just to stay on the up-and-up in the contest world, in case there is something I might want to take a go at.

Nick Campbell’s Five Second Projects (website under construction go here for the latest) has gained a lot of steam in the last few months, with VideoHive actually sponsoring one of the contests, and with other sponsors such as Imagineer Systems, this is sure to be a hit in the motion graphics and 3d scene alike.   What this contest does is give you 5 seconds and a theme.  Based upon that theme, you can create whatever your mind desires, and the best entry wins!  This is great for beginners, because not only does it take a minimal amount on your part, it gives you something to add to your demo reel every few weeks, and you can grab some sweet products, and other prizes such as Nick’s Photoshop training, which I am sure is going to pop up as a prize somewhere down the line.

Vidopp is quite possibly one  the foremost central hubs to go to for up to date lists of contests and their details.  It seems like every day there is something new added, because they have made themselves known in the contest community as the place to be posted if you want exposure.  They provide all the details, search options on how much the prizes pay out, whether they award cash or prizes, and age limitations.  They really make it easy to find what you want, and filter out the contests you may not be eligible to enter.

Poptent is a service in which they scout out potential large scale advertisers like Bud Light or 100 Grand, and create a contest for the brand to pick the best made commercial.  Not only is this a way to have your work nationally seen, but also have a client list of huge name brands.  The host company gives all the assets, the project breakdown, theme, catchphrases and anything else that might need to be included in the final spot, and let’s your creative mind go to work.  Upload your final video, and if it is the winner… you could win a ton of cash!

Ahhh, good old Youtube.  You all have probably seen the random contests or promoted videos on the front page, but did you know there is actually a section of Youtube devoted to contests?  Instead of randomly stumbling upon a contest you might want to participate in, you can bookmark the Contest Category of Youtube and watch all the current contest, check out the prizes and see if it’s worth your time.  The bad thing about the contests on Youtube is they are absolutely flooded with entries from all around the world, so your chances go down to win, versus if you were to enter something from Vidopp or Poptent.

Now for you 3d artists out there… CGSociety.com has some pretty intense challenges with huge sponsors, and even huger prizes.  The last theme was “Secret Agent” ending in September, but the winner ended up winning a BOXX system, Wacom Tablet, choice of Software, copies of Modo, Vue, Corel Painter, and year memberships to some awesome magazines and CGSociety itself.  If that doesn’t prompt you to enter I don’t know what will.  You have to work within the specific guidelines and apps for the challenge, but this is a great way to build your 3d artwork profile as well.

So there you have it everyone!  You want a reason to get out and crush it?  Well, now you got one… well… 5… or more.  Anyways, if you have participated in any challenges from any of these sites, I would love to see your work or hear your stories… and if you won, well tell everyone else that it’s possible and to get out there and start making some amazing work, and make your work, work for you!