Student video competition
DENIN video competition encourages students to 'be the change'
2:48 p.m., March 22, 2016--The story goes that a small boy once asked Mahatma Ghandi about eating sugar. Gandhi told the boy and his mother to return for an answer in two weeks’ time. Following the interval, Gandhi shared his wisdom with the child, who afterward turned away from sugar and other sweets.
The boy’s mother asked the civil rights leader why it took so long for his response.
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Gandhi admitted that two weeks earlier he himself had still indulged in sugar, and therefore he could not properly teach the boy his lesson. His response to the boy's mother has become one of his most repeated sayings: "Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Leading by example can be a catalyst for progress, which is why “Be the Change” is the theme for the fourth annual student video competition sponsored by the Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN).
The DENIN Ambassadors student group is organizing the contest during the month of April — Earth Month at UD. This year, the competition will be a social media event, and all UD undergraduate students are invited to participate.
To enter, students are asked to create a short video up to 30 seconds long depicting an action or actions they have taken to make their daily lives more environmentally sustainable and to serve as an example for others.
DENIN Ambassadors co-chair Marisa Andreazza explains the new approach to this year’s contest.
“In the past, we’ve required students to create a five- to 10-minute film, but I think that this year’s 30-second limit enables students to be more succinct and creative,” she says. “We hope that students will demonstrate actions that they’ve taken to become more sustainable within an area of concern that is particularly meaningful to them.”
Videos should be posted on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter along with the hashtag #BeTheChangeUD.
Andreazza notes that the hashtag is important since it will allow the judges to find and view the entries. Those who elect to post their video entries on Facebook must also designate that the post is "public" in order for the judges to see the video. Alternatively, videos can be posted directly on DENIN’s Facebook page.
A total of $500 in prizes will be awarded, with the top prize of a $150 Visa gift card going to the best overall video based on quality, creativity and depiction of theme.
The remaining prize pool will be divided into additional awards for categories yet to be determined but based on the number and quality of entries received. For example, awards may be given for best sustainability idea, best use of special effects, most humorous, audience favorite, etc. Entrants are urged to be creative and make their videos unique.
“It’s all about being passionate about the changes that you make and then modeling a way for others to do the same,” says Andreazza.
Videos must posted before midnight on Sunday, April 24, to be considered for prizes. Only one video entry per person is permitted, and all entries should contain only original, copyright-free material.
By posting a video using the contest hashtag, participants agree to allow DENIN to repost their video on its social media and web outlets. Winners will be announced by April 29.
See the contest webpage for a complete description of the rules and guidelines.
Article by Tom Aristone