ScreenChamp Awards 2012

The ScreenChamp Awards recognize excellence in screencasting. See official rules for all the gloriously lawyerly details.

And the 2012 ScreenChamps are…

Congratulations to all the 2012 ScreenChamps…we salute you! The five winners listed above take home the top prizes and ridiculously cool trophies. All 16 finalists (videos posted here) also received the finalist prize pack, as detailed below.

We had a really strong batch of videos (more than 150 submitted!) and it was often hard to choose between them. We had some lively debates among the judges on the merits of various videos, but we all stayed friends and broadened our perspectives, so that’s good.

The ScreenChamp winners were announced December 13, live on The Forge—our monthly web broadcast. Here’s the replay of that show if you missed it. There was some good discussion among the panel of expert judges about the strengths and areas for improvement in each video. Beyond the fun of competition, our goal for this event is to inspire all of us to greater excellence as screencasters. We hope you glean ideas and techniques to employ in your own work!


Can’t see the embedded video? Watch it on YouTube.


ScreenChamp Award Prizes - contest for screencast excellence

           




The Facts

Enter up to three (3) screencast videos. Videos will be assigned a category based on the information you provide (so please be as detailed as possible!). Categories are: Education (videos with a focus on teaching and/or schools, at any level); Tutorial/Training (videos with a focus on training or tutorial content); Sales and Marketing (videos made to sell or persuade); and Wildcard (videos that don’t fit in the previous categories).

We will choose four (4) finalists for each category, all of which will be eligible for a finalist prize. Those videos will then be passed to a panel of celebrity judges for scoring and posted publicly for a popular vote. The judges’ picks will each win an additional category prize…and the popular pick will win Best in Show!

Important Dates

  • Submissions open: September 13, 2012
  • Submissions close: October 15 (extended deadline!)
  • Finalists announced/voting begins: November 19
  • Voting Ends: December 5
  • Winners announced: December 13 live on (The Forge)

Prize List


Finalists Prizes (20 selected)

  • Moleskine notebook
  • Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens 10 color pack
  • Custom T-Shirt

Category winner Prizes (4 winners)

  • Blue Yeti Microphone 
  • Tripod
  • Pop Filter
  • Sennheiser HD-280 Pro Headphones 
  • $100 Gift Certificate to Premiumbeat.com
    (from Premiumbeat.com, provider of Royalty Free and stock music)  
  • ScreenChamp trophy

‘Best in Show’ Prize (1 winner)

  • T3i Canon Camera 
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens
  • Zoom H4 Microphone/Recorder
  • 64 GB SDXC Memory Card 
  • Shure Wireless Microphone
  • ScreenChamp trophy

  • http://twitter.com/iBrent Brent Arnold

    So do we fill out the form 3 times, one for each submission? It’d be nice if we could list all 3 screencasts in one form.

    • https://twitter.com/#!/JessieLaHaie Jessie LaHaie

      Hi Brent!

      I apologize for the inconvenience, but we will need you to fill out a separate form for each submission.

      Thanks!
      Jessie

  • Cat Five

    What is a screen cast? How is it different from a video? Thanks!

    • http://www.techsmith.com/ TechSmith

      Great question…to be considered for a ScreenChamp Award, your video needs to include some content captured from your computer screen. That content could be a webpage, PPT slides, another application installed on your computer, an animation, etc. Check out last year’s finalist videos for examples:
      https://vimeo.com/screenchamp/videos

  • http://pinoyscreencast.net pinoyscreencast

    is this open for all? international like asia?

    • http://www.techsmith.com/ TechSmith

      Yes – it is open to global entrants, though we do require that videos be in English. Last year’s winners were from the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Australia!

    • http://www.techsmith.com/ TechSmith

      Sorry, should have included the link to the 2011 ScreenChamp Award winners.

  • http://twitter.com/TallisOnly Tallis Only

    Is there any way to review my submission? i accidentally hit enter and it submitted, but i am not sure if i pasted in the correct screencast address.

    • http://www.twitter.com/fosteronomo Daniel Foster

      Hi Tallis – I sent over your entry via email. Thanks for entering your video!

  • vjedlicka

    how do I enter my phone number? It accepts only US format.

    • Bedhead

      I think you can just format it in the xxx-xxx-xxxx format and it will work.

    • http://www.twitter.com/fosteronomo Daniel Foster

      I guess that was a bit US-centric of us. Sorry! :P We’ll see if we can update the form.

  • Bedhead

    Our tutorials are published on a secure website, so sending the URL wouldn’t work. Is there any way to submit a finished video via email or ftp?

  • Kent

    Hi. Is there a way to edit your details once submitted?

    • http://www.twitter.com/fosteronomo Daniel Foster

      Nope, but you can resubmit and add a note to discard your earlier entry. I’ll email your entry back to you now so you can copy and paste.

  • Software Maniac

    Pretty neat – I submitted a screen cam, will get any response that you all actually received it? Thank you.

    • http://www.twitter.com/fosteronomo Daniel Foster

      You should get an email with a copy of your entry, as soon as you submit it. The email comes from wufoo.com, which is the provider of the form we’re using.

  • http://twitter.com/kgolubic Kruno Golubic

    Hi! Section 8 puzzels me… It says “: (i) the Video Entries are the entrant’s own original, previously unpublished, and previously un-produced work”. How can I send you YouTube or Screencast link when screencast should be unpublished?

    • http://www.twitter.com/fosteronomo Daniel Foster

      Hi Kruno – sorry for the confusion…your video just needs to be your work (or the work of the company or team you represent). It doesn’t need to be previously unpublished. I’ll see if we can clarify or remove that language from the official rules.

  • Vance

    Cisco that cloud is weak man. You couldn’t afford a higher dpi on that mug?

    • Jason

      Good point. I will swap it out in a future update. Thanks for the feedback.

  • Brian

    @techsmithadmin:disqus is the best in show soley based on the poll above because out of the top two it looks like “What is SignUp” is actually a better video. Is it based on how many people are being sent to vote for the video or how good the actual video is?

    • http://www.techsmith.com/ Daniel Foster

      Hi Brian – Best in Show is a popular vote based on the results of the poll. Finalists are encouraged to direct their fans and followers to vote (some will vote out of loyalty to the person but some will vote based on perceived merits). TechSmith is also asking our customer base to vote, which provides a large number of voters who have no affiliation to any of the finalists.

      In addition to Best in Show, there will be four category winners. We have a panel of expert judges reviewing the finalist videos and choosing the top video in each of four categories: academic/education, training/tutorial, sales/marketing, and wildcard. The details are outlined above and in the official rules.

    • Buster

      It is a very nice video. However, Best in Show is all about marketing your video!

      • Max

        I see where you’re coming from Buster, and I understand that the rules are already outlined but ‘Best In Show’ sounds like it implies the best video. With just sending people to a voting poll, it’s just about how many people you know rather than the quality of the video and the use of the software.

        Also, the grand prize of the camera is determined by vote but the category prizes are determined by an expert panel…? It just sounds a little weird.

        I do have to agree with Brian, everyone did a good job but the “best” video probably goes to the what is video.

        Just my two cents.

        • Frank

          What makes it better? Does it meet the audience needs more? Is it more professional? It really is subjective, when you get right down to it. It does have some rather nice effects (obviously not done in Camtasia, which is fine, but the Overview appears to have been done completely in Camtasia which makes me think I could do the same). The “What Is” does have polish. It has some flair. It is nice. The Overview may not be as sexy, but it does get the point across. And in just over 2 minutes. Short, to the point. That is why I like it. It respectes my time and tells me what I need to know.
          And, have used some pretty basically done videos on YouTube and been quite happy with the content.

          • Phil

            Subjective is right! If these were a specific audience then we could see which one would be more effective for that audience and that would give us a better measure of what works best, but to me the best video is about pushing the capabilities of the software, I mean let’s be honest anyone can create some powerpoints and record the screen with it, that’s what Camtasia does!

            But we you take it beyond that I think that should count for something.

            Just as a side note, I think there’s a reason animated explanatory videos are taking over the internet, they’re extremely effective, we just had one done and it costs quite a bit, but it works so much better than our previous videos.

            Like you said it’s subjective but in my opinion doing what the software does out of the box just doesn’t say best to me, I think you have to take it to the next level.

          • Jason W-L

            Thanks, Frank. Yes–I used Camtasia for the entire video. Well, I used PowerPoint to create the graphics because I am not much of a graphic artist. I put together this video in an evening–from writing out the scrip to recording the audio to adding the visuals–in response to a last-minute need/request. I plan to add some polish to it when I get some time. I like to think that shows how easy it is to use Camtasia to quickly produce decent screencasts.

            I like the What Is video. As you mentioned, there are some great visuals and effects in it. In fact, I am mildly jealous. However, that won’t keep me from pestering my friends, family co-workers, and total strangers to vote for mine!

            I think what I like most about this contest is that is has brough together a diverse group of really great videos. I have learned something from each, which will make me a better screencaster.

            Cheers,
            Jason

        • Anthony Russo

          The “what is” video is good for sure but the mantic realeflow video is the best out all of ‘em in my opinion.

          Yeh, the voting def. doesn’t determine the “best” video though. The reason why TechSmith probably sets up the overall winner by voting is to drive traffic to their site and build greater awareness for their products. I think they maybe should only pick the best in each category, then have those winners compete for overall champ. But I understand with 16 participants, each one is going to want to tell as many people as they can to come to this site and vote for them…therefore = more people exposed to TechSmith.

          Which is totally cool…it’s intelligent.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Cathy-Morressey/100001143732581 Cathy Morressey

    Gee, I wonder which two entrants are stuffing the ballot box.

    • Jason W-L

      Well, I don’t think “stuffing” is the right term. The two top (I am one of them) are definitely corporate entries. I know I am using all my internal company contacts to vote for me. That includes several hundred Tech Writers that I have worked with over 20 years in the TW field, engineers I have worked with, etc. That also includes several teams in India and China. And, well, my wife’s family is rather large. And I am rather unashamedly using my facebook, linked in, twitter, and google+ contacts and reminding them daily to vote for me. I even created a video showing how to vote for me and posted it to my Facebook page. And I encourage them to share with their friends and family.

      Probably worst of all, I have a child in each level of education (primary, middle, high, and college) that are out promoting me. Just today my daughter had her computer lab vote for me. Little slips of paper with my video title and URL for the voting.

      So, yes. I am throwing all the eyeballs I can at it. Still in second, darn it. Need to see if I can get the oldest to promote me at frat parties — tape a URL to a keg or something.

      Anyway, making a video is only half the job. Getting it seen is the other. By my guesstimation, I have contacted well over 5000 people to vote for me, directly or through my direct contacts. Frankly, I was hoping to have over 500 votes by now (around 10% response rate). I need to go yell at my friends.

      • Jason W-L

        P.S.–I was chastised by one of my supporters for sharing my marketing strategy. I don’t mind sharing. There are a lot of those videos that deserve to been seen. Valerie’s Anatomical Terms is one. I showed my kids that vid. It is very cool. They are still voting for me daily. Sorry, Valerie. They know where their dinner comes from. ;-)

    • Christine

      Hi there…I’m Vesone’s co-worker. I agree with Jason that I don’t think we’re stuffing the ballot box. In our case, we’re a small-ish tech company, but we’ve been sharing with our friends and customers. We are all very passionate about wanting V to win not just because we’re his friends, but also because there is a back story that I won’t detail here. So, while I can see why you think the ballot box is being stuffed, really, it’s just us going crazy like kids and sharing with everyone because we would love to see V win this. But, Jason, we might use that URL on the keg idea…that’s a good one.

      • Jason W-L

        I thought so. Drunk people with smartphones = votes!

    • Lizanne

      I found out about Vesone’s video through one of his co-workers who is a personal friend. Believe me, if I thought it wasn’t pretty dang impressive, I would not vote for it. As it is, I think it’s the best one of the bunch based on what I know of this industry (I admit, not much), and I’m happy to share it with my friends.

  • Jason W-L

    I am voting for my video, of course. But I do like that Anatomical Terms of Direction video. I learned something. (Techsmith–give us chroma key on Windows so I can dump WAX 2.0 and do cool vids like this one!)

  • Phil Baldwin

    All of the videos are hosted on Vimeo – why aren’t they hosted on Screencast.com – is there a message in that decision?

    • http://www.techsmith.com/ Daniel Foster

      Not at all…the PollDaddy service we’re using for voting integrates with Vimeo but doesn’t (yet?) with Screencast.com.

  • http://diethylstilbestrol.co.uk/ DES Daughter

    Go Mel Aclaro Go !

  • Pierre

    It is very suspicious that the top three videos, with many more votes than the rest, are the only ones that have much more votes than plays on vimeo.

    1. What is SignUp? -> Only 258 plays but 2185 votes
    2. Best Screen Capture … -> only 339 plays but 1516 votes
    3. Overview: The Cisco Content … -> only 333 plays but 858 votes

    All the rest of participants have more plays than votes, something very reasonable. First you watch a video and then maybe you decide to vote it or not.

    • Scott

      I agree, that is suspicious but looking at one of the comments above from Buster (I believe) this is about marketing YOUR video, this competition isn’t really based on the “best” video winning, it’s about telling as many people as possible to vote for you. Even Daniel (the moderator) said that the people in the contest are encouraged to send their fans, followers, family, etc. to vote for them.

      Once you look at it that way, it kind of makes sense. At least when you look at who’s in the lead, they clearly have more people to send to their video.

      • Jason W-L

        I know I have (*had*, I let things slide during Thanksgiving and never really picked back up pushing my friends and co-workers after) folks vote for my video without watching it just because it was mine. However, a surprising number of people did watch it.

    • http://www.MelAclaro.com Mel Aclaro

      As Scott correctly mentioned, we can only assume that many of the participants in this contest are using social media, friends, professional associations and email list subscribers to vote — and to do so multiple times. (Disclosure: my video is one of those in the contest. And for my part, I have been running a *secondary* contest to encourage votes from the few thousand folks on my email list. This is in addition to the “social media, friends, and family program.” The contest has helped greatly.)

      That said, I think your skepticism, Pierre, is actually JUSTIFIED.

      But, for everybody else who reads this: please understand, I’m NOT saying that any participant has fabricated the number of votes they’ve received. I’m simply voicing the unfortunate observation that the use of the Polldaddy.com platform for voting automatically opens this contest to that skepticism. The fact is, there just aren’t sufficient safeguards in Polldaddy to prevent anyone from clearing cookies and voting multiple times in the same session. Again, I’m not saying that any participant has fabricated their vote counts. But, I too, have had similar skepticism after repeatedly hitting the “refresh” button on a couple of evenings while watching another participant’s vote count steadily climb in 1- and 2-vote increments over the course of an hour. :- There can, in fact, be legitimate reasons for that — But, it unfortunately doesn’t help alleviate concerns.

      My suggestion for next year is that the esteemed hosts of this contest (for whom I am still very much a fan) revisit the mechanics of the “Best In Show” contest to see how voting activity can be made to be less susceptible to concerns such as that which Pierre poses above.

      In the meantime, I’ll pine my hopes on “Best In CATEGORY” and will look forward to seeing who wins each of those. Good luck! :)

      • Tom Wilson

        I agree that it’s justified to feel suspicious I entered this contest and didn’t make the finals :( but see the top three have the majority of the votes without many views clearly means they all have huge audiences rather than organic views. I didn’t know of any loopholes with Polldaddy but a popularity vote doesn’t seem fair to determine the best video.

        Also Mel you seem like a nice enough guy, I just wanted to point something out to you since I read the rules 15x to make sure I would be eligible, I don’t think you can award prizes in exchange for votes…:

        Under number 10 in the rules: Entrants are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including without limitation, offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public or as determined by the Promotion Entities in their sole discretion.

        Don’t quote me but that may be a violation of the rules, in case you have to take down the contest.

        • http://www.MelAclaro.com Mel Aclaro

          You’re probably right, Tom. In fact, after re-reading #10, I think I actually agree and will withdraw my entry if “Best in Show” somehow swings my way. (Though I think it’s moot in any case.) As for the popularity vote in determining “best in show,” I see your point, though I actually don’t mind so much that TS host a popularity contest — it’s smart as a campaign for them to build traffic and SEO. Though, to your point, m’be it should be called “most popular” or something similar as opposed to “Best in Show”?

        • André Roberge

          I read it the exact same way … and decided NOT to publicise it in my institution. Before reading the rules, the thought crossed my mind to appeal to our students’ pride for our tiny institution (Université Sainte-Anne in Canada – 400 students) but felt that this would have been against the rules. I guess not everyone (including people from techsmith posting here …) read the rules the same way I did. That being said: there are videos much better than mine, so I don’t feel it is unfair to me.

    • Jason W-L

      Probably because they have friends, family, and co-workers voting daily. You don’t need to watch the video each time you vote. Once is enough. Really.

  • Judy

    Good luck Mel!!

  • Software Maniac

    I submitted a video way back and I was surprised to get no notification that it had been uploaded or that it wouldn’t even show up. I wonder if something went wrong with the submittal process? Did anyone else have the same experience. My video was recorded with Camtasia for Mac: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiQkSiY08Wo.

    • http://www.techsmith.com/ Daniel Foster

      Hi Ken – I double-checked and we did receive your entry and it was reviewed and scored along with all the others. It was not selected to be among the 16 finalist videos.

      I apologize about the lack of response when you submitted your video; the service we used to collect entries was set up to respond with an email confirmation for each entry. As far as we can tell, it worked as expected but we also heard from a couple of people who did not receive the email. Given the complexity of delivering email these days, I’m not terribly surprised but I do apologize that you did not receive acknowledgement. That’s something we can review and improve on for next year.