OMA launches the fourth season of its province-wide high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Go to the Ontario Mining Association website www.oma.on.ca  and check out today’s launch of the popular high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining for the fourth year.  The 2012 competition is serving up opportunities to win $33,500 in prize money, an $8,000 increase of what was on the table last year.
 
The deadline for submitting two to three minute videos on the benefits of mining is midnight March 15, 2012.  To be eligible for the Early Bird prize of $500, entries must be received by March 1, 2012. 
 
Other key dates in 2012 are April 1 to 15 for the determination of nominees for the People’s Choice and OMA Academy Award, April 20 to June 3 which is the voting period for the People’s Choice Award and May 22 when winners will be determined and notified.  The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 5 in Toronto at the Royal Ontario Museum.
 
New this year is a Best 30 Second Commercial award for $2,500 and a new OMA Academy Award for $2,500, which will be determined by OMA members.  Along with the $5,000 prize for Best Overall Video, plus $500 to the winner’s school, there are $2,500 prizes for First Runner Up for Best Overall Video, Best Directing, Best Writing, Best Music, Best Comedy, Best Animated Video, Best Video in a language other than English and the People’s Choice Award.
 
Also, any school which has three or more entries will be eligible for a draw to win $2,000 to purchase video equipment.  In addition, the producers of one entry will be selected to film the SYTYKM awards ceremony for the OMA website.  The producers and their school will each receive $500.
 
“The popularity of the So You Think You Know Mining high school video competition has grown every year amongst students and educators,” said OMA President Chris Hodgson.  “We strive to improve SYTYKM every year and we hope the refinements we have made for 2012 will help enhance the quality and scope of the video entries.”
 
SYTYKM is supported by comprehensive web-based resources, a blog and on Twitter.  Contest details, entry forms, technical requirements for submitting videos, production ideas and past winners and award ceremonies are all available on the OMA website. 
 
Entries can be produced by individuals or teams.  As SYTYKM goes into year four, originality and a fresh approach are more important than ever.  The themes for entries are open and the OMA e-news list may provide you with some ideas.  But why not think about how mining has impacted culture, how it is playing a role in the green economy, how it is a leader in technological and environmental innovation and how it is building a sustainable future.
 
Ladies and gentlemen let’s start your film production engines.  We await your entries and maybe we will see you on the red carpet June 5, 2012 at the SYTYKM awards gala.