Coast Guard wants your vote on extreme videos

by Chris Owen on

The U.S. Coast Guard has released its Top Ten Rescue Videos and is counting down to 2012 asking fans to vote for a favorite.

The series of videos feature a variety of what the Coast Guard does every day including rescues of people at sea, capturing pirates, catching a cocaine-laden drug sub in the Caribbean Sea and more.

In one video, Coast Guard aircrews coach a pilot on how to ditch his Cessna 310 aircraft and then rescued him from the ocean northeast of Hawaii.

All 10 videos are on line now and Facebook fans have until January 13 to pick their favorite.

Vote for your favorite video by going to the Coast Guard’s Facebook Page or stop by the Coast Guard YouTube Channel.

Here’s a compilation of all ten top Coast Guard Videos of 2011.



Flickr photo by US Coast Guard

Utah filmmakers show the best of the Beehive State

by Libby Zay on

The Utah Film Commission has just announced the winners of their ninth annual “Spot On” video campaign. For the commercial contest, the organization asked Utah-based filmmakers to create 30-second spots that demonstrate what makes Utah the most visually stunning state. Open to all Utah residents and students attending school in the state, the grand prize is not only $1,500 but also the chance to see commercials on television during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival (and a grab bag that included tickets to the fest and other freebies).

The overall campaign winner is Andrew Buys, who created the ‘Utah is Epic’ film posted above. Although it appears to be simply a bunch of sweeping views of the Beehive State edited together with some dramatic background music, it definitely shows why Utah has a long history of being the backdrop to Hollywood movies, television series, and (of course) adventurous vacations. Things get a little more creative with the other winners and honorable mentions after the jump.


Second Place Winner for the Utah Film Commission 2011 “Spot On” Commercial Contest: Made by Sahna Foley

Creative Concept Award Winner for the Utah Film Commission 2011 “Spot On” Commercial Contest: Made by Warren Workman.

Honorable Mention for the Utah Film Commission 2011 “Spot On” Commercial Contest: Made by Dan Larsen

Honorable Mention for the Utah Film Commission 2011 “Spot On” Commercial Contest: Made by Xmas Lutu.

View winners from past years at the Utah Film Commission’s YouTube page.

You and Europe video contest

by Jamie Rhein on

Here’s a way to win a trip to Europe for two. Here’s one catch. You have to either travel to Europe and shoot a video of the experience–or have been there before and have a video on hand, or there’s no hope for you. The European Travel Commission’s, “You and Europe” contest is one where travelers submit video footage of their European trip to www.visiteurope.com. There it can be viewed by the public and the judges.

If you’re heading to Europe this summer, you have time. The deadline isn’t until September 30. After that the judges will decide who wins. According to the Web site, videos can be “funny, poignant, romantic, serious, or silly–capture an aspect of the culture–whatever captures your imagination.”

Videos need to be no longer than three minutes. As a bit of advice, based on “an aspect of the culture,” I wouldn’t make this a Borat-style film where your interactions are the focal point. The Web site is pushing Europe to travelers. As darling and stunning as you are, you’re not it.

To give you tips and ideas, there is a how-to video on making a travel video from CompulsiveTraveler that is geared towards the contest. You can also view what others have submitted for a shot of inspiration.

Hint: These are good. Make yours better.