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Work Sample FAQ

Why are you asking me to upload my work samples?

Electronic samples will be reviewed by our offsite regional evaluators. Based on scores from regrional evaluators and staff some applications will move forward to the final panel round.The on-site panel will review the hard-copy samples you mail in.

I don't want my video to be publicly viewed. How do I prevent that?

Please use Vimeo and add a password. YouTube allows you to share videos with friends only, though this setup is slightly more complicated.


Does MAP prefer Vimeo or Youtube?

We strongly prefer Vimeo.

How do I upload to Vimeo?

1. To get started, view the Upload Tutorial (http://www.vimeo.com/339189)
2. Note the URL Vimeo provides. You will need to submit this in your MAP application.
3. If you prefer not to make your video public, set a password and include the password in your submission.
4. Please be sure to enable downloading the video source.

How do I upload to YouTube?

1. To get started, read the how to upload page. ((http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=57924))
2. After logging in to your YouTube account, press the yellow Upload button to go to the Video File Upload page.
3. From the Video File Upload page, press the smaller black and white "Upload Video" button to select your file and start uploading.
4. If you prefer not to make your video public, please mark your video as private. See (http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=59208)
5. Note the URL YouTube provides. You will need to submit this in your MAP application.


I only have a DVD, where do I start?

If you only have a DVD, you should start by making a back-up copy of the video on your computer. Software such as DVD2one (http://www.dvd2one.com/) will allow you to make a copy of your DVD to your computer's hard drive. This is paid software, although there is a 30 day trial period. In preparing your video to submit, choose "Make a movie-only copy" when you open DVD2one. You then choose the DVD and the location on your computer to save the copy. (Note: this software will not assist copying commercially encrypted DVDs.) After you have a copy of the DVD on your hard drive, you can convert software such as HandBrake to convert the DVD movie file to

I do not want to upload my video to Youtube or Vimeo, and I do not have my own website. Is there another option?

Video and audio sample uploads are required.

What are the resolution requirements for audio or video?

Video Resolution: 1280 x 720 (16x9 HD) or 640 x 480 (4:3 SD)
Data rates: 5000 kbits/sec (16x9 HD) or 1800 kbits/sec (4:3 SD)
Video Codec: H.264
Audio Codec: AAC
Sampling rate: 44.1kHz

Should I use High Definition (HD) or Standard Definition (SD)?

You should use the original format your video. If you're video is currently High Definition, please do not reduce it. Unfortunately, you cannot increase the quality of a video by converting it from Standard to High Definition.

My video was shot using a miniDV recorder so it is Standard Definition (SD) not High Definition (HD). Should I convert it to High Definition (HD)?

No. You will not gain any quality converting your movie from Standard to High Definition.

Can you give me step by step instructions for converting my High Definition (HD) video file to the requested format in order to upload it to YouTube or Vimeo using Macintosh OS X 10.5 or 10.6?

Using HandBrake
(See http://vimeo.com/7989064 and http://vimeo.com/7989060 demonstration videos.)
1. Download HandBrake from http://handbrake.fr/downloads.php using one of the links under "Mac OS X 10.5/10.6 - GUI". If you have a G5, choose "Download (Power PC)". If you have an Intel Macintosh, choose "Download (32bit Intel)".
2. Open Handbrake.
3. SOURCE: After opening HandBrake, a dialog will appear asking you to select your movie file. Select the video file (such as mp4, wmv, ect) or the "VIDEO_TS" folder ripped from a DVD. (Although Handbrake can use unencrypted DVDs as the source, Handbrake works quicker by using a file from your hard drive.) After selecting the source, you will be taken to the main HandBrake window. If you need to change the source, press the "Source" button in the upper row of buttons.
4. PICTURE SETTINGS: Choose "Picture Settings" from the upper row of buttons and choose the "Size" tab. Set Width to 1280 and Height to 720. Next, choose the "Filters" Tab. Set Decomb/Deinterlace to Deinterlace; Set "Deinterlace" to Slow. Other settings can be left as is.
5. DESTINATION: In the main window, enter the location and name for saving your converted video file.
6. OUTPUT SETTINGS - FORMAT: Select "MP4 File"
7. VIDEO Tab
 - VIDEO CODEC: Select "H.264 (x264)"
 - FRAMERATE: Select "Same as source"
 - QUALITY: Set Average bitrate to 5000.
8. AUDIO Tab
 - AUDIO CODEC: Select "AAC (CoreAudio)"
 - MIXDOWN: Select "Stereo"
 - SAMPLERATE: Select "44.1"
 - BITRATE: Select "128"
9. Press START from the upper row of buttons

Using iMovie
1. From the Share menu, select "Export Using QuickTime". (NOTE: Users of iMovie 9 can select "YouTube" at this point, choosing "HD" from size to publish.)
2. SAVE AS: Enter the name for the converted file and where it should be saved.
3. EXPORT: Select "Movie to QuickTime Movie" and press the "Options…" button.
4. VIDEO SETTINGS:
 - COMPRESSION TYPE: Select H.264.
 - FRAMERATE: Select Current.
 - KEY FRAMES: Select Automatic
 - FRAME REORDERING should be checked on.
 - COMPRESSOR QUALITY: Set to High with Faster Encoding.
 - DATA RATE: Set Restrict to 5000 kbits/sec.
5. VIDEO FILTER: Leave this set to NONE.
6. VIDEO SIZE:
 - Set to "HD 1280 x 720  16:9"
 - Deinterlace Source Video should be checked on.
7. SOUND SETTINGS:
 - FORMAT: Select AAC.
 - Channels: Select Stereo (and 16 bit if this is an option)
 - RATE: Set to 44.1
 - OPTIONS
    - Set RENDER SETTINGS to Better (this may be called ENCODER QUALITY).
    - Set Target Bit Rate to 128.
8. Press "Save" once these settings are stored.
Can you give me step by step instructions for converting my High Definition (HD) video file to the requested format in order to upload it to YouTube or Vimeo using Windows 7 or Windows XP?

Using HandBrake
1. Download and install HandBrake from http://handbrake.fr/downloads. php using the links under "Windows XP/Vista/7- GUI".
2. Open Handbrake.
3. SOURCE: From the Source button in the upper row of buttons, choose "Video File" and select the video file (such as mp4, wmv, ect) or the choose "DVD" and select the "VIDEO_TS" folder ripped from a DVD. (Although Handbrake can use unencrypted DVDs as the source, Handbrake works quicker by using a file from your hard drive.)
4. DESTINATION: Enter the location and name for saving your converted video file by pressing the Browse button.
5. OUTPUT SETTINGS: Set Container to "MP4 File"
6. PICTURE:
 - ANAMORPHIC: Set to None
 - Then set Width and Height to 1280 and 720
 - CROPPING: Set to "Automatic"
7. VIDEO FILTERS:
 - DEINTERLACE: Set to "Slower"
 - DETELECINE, DECOMB, DENOISE AND DEBLOCK: Set to "Off" or "None"
8. VIDEO:
 - VIDEO CODEC: Select "H.264 (x264)"
 - FRAMERATE: Select "Same as source"
 - QUALITY: Set Average bitrate to 5000.
9. AUDIO Tab
 - AUDIO CODEC: Select "AAC (faac)"
 - MIXDOWN: Select "Stereo"
 - SAMPLERATE: Select "44.1"
 - BITRATE: Select "128"
 - DRC: Move slider to "1".
10. Press START from the upper row of buttons

Can you give me step by step instructions for converting my Standard Definition (SD) video file to the requested format in order to upload it to YouTube or Vimeo using Macintosh OS X 10.5 or 10.6?

1. Download HandBrake from http://handbrake.fr/downloads.php using one of the links under "Mac OS X 10.5/10.6 - GUI". If you have a G5, choose "Download (Power PC)". If you have an Intel Macintosh, choose "Download (32bit Intel)".
2. Open Handbrake.
3. SOURCE: After opening HandBrake, a dialog will appear asking you to select your movie file. Select the video file (such as mp4, wmv, ect) or the "VIDEO_TS" folder ripped from a DVD. (Although Handbrake can use unencrypted DVDs as the source, Handbrake works quicker by using a file from your hard drive.) After selecting the source, you will be taken to the main HandBrake window. If you need to change the source, press the "Source" button in the upper row of buttons.
4. PICTURE SETTINGS: Choose "Picture Settings" from the upper row of buttons and choose the "Size" tab. Set Width to 640 and Height to 480. Next, choose the "Filters" Tab. Set Decomb/Deinterlace to Deinterlace; Set "Deinterlace" to Slow. Other settings can be left as is.
5. DESTINATION: In the main window, enter the location and name for saving your converted video file.
6. OUTPUT SETTINGS - FORMAT: Select "MP4 File"
7. VIDEO Tab
 - VIDEO CODEC: Select "H.264 (x264)"
 - FRAMERATE: Select "Same as source"
 - QUALITY: Set Average bitrate to 1800.
8. AUDIO Tab
 - AUDIO CODEC: Select "AAC (CoreAudio)"
 - MIXDOWN: Select "Stereo"
 - SAMPLERATE: Select "44.1"

Can you give me step by step instructions for converting my Standard Definition (SD) video file to the requested format in order to upload it to YouTube or Vimeo using Windows 7 or Windows XP?

Using HandBrake
1. Download and install HandBrake from http://handbrake.fr/downloads.php using the links under "Windows XP/Vista/7- GUI".
2. Open Handbrake.
3. SOURCE: From the Source button in the upper row of buttons, choose "Video File" and select the video file (such as mp4, wmv, ect) or the choose "DVD" and select the "VIDEO_TS" folder ripped from a DVD. (Although Handbrake can use unencrypted DVDs as the source, Handbrake works quicker by using a file from your hard drive.)
4. DESTINATION: Enter the location and name for saving your converted video file by pressing the Browse button.
5. OUTPUT SETTINGS: Set Container to "MP4 File"
6. PICTURE:
 - ANAMORPHIC: Set to None
 - Then set Width and Height to 640 x 480
 - CROPPING: Set to "Automatic"
7. VIDEO FILTERS:
 - DEINTERLACE: Set to "Slower"
 - DETELECINE, DECOMB, DENOISE AND DEBLOCK: Set to "Off" or "None"
8. VIDEO:
 - VIDEO CODEC: Select "H.264 (x264)"
 - FRAMERATE: Select "Same as source"
 - QUALITY: Set Average bitrate to 1800.
9. AUDIO Tab
 - AUDIO CODEC: Select "AAC (faac)"
 - MIXDOWN: Select "Stereo"
 - SAMPLERATE: Select "44.1"
 - BITRATE: Select "128"
 - DRC: Move slider to "1".
10. Press START from the upper row of buttons

How do I convert my video file to the requested H.264 format in order to upload it to YouTube or Vimeo using Windows or Macintosh, and I don't want to use HandBrake?

See the Vimeo FAQ for additional links and hoots: http://vimeo.com/forums/topic:3671

Can you suggest any tutorials for exporting video for submission online from various applications?

Yes. For help exporting from a wide range of applications for submission to Vimeo, see this help topic. For help exporting with QuickTime, see this page.


On average, how long does it take to upload a video file to You Tube or Vimeo?

When uploading videos to a video sharing site the conversion process to make your video public may take a few hours. With You Tube's conversion process it is possible for your video to be uploaded and ready for public viewing within three hours. The conversion process for Vimeo tends to be longer, up to one day, depending on activity on the site. While the video is converting you may leave that page and Vimeo will send you an email when it is finished.

We strongly suggest you upload your videos to these sites days in advance of completing your application to avoid unexpected wait times. Applications without web links to work samples will not be accepted.

I do not know if my video is in the required format. Should I convert it again?

No. Do not reconvert your video before confirming its current format. Unnecessarily reconverting your video could degrade its quality.

How do I find out if my video is in the required format?

If you file is not a DVD file, use Quicktime to open the file. From the Window menu, select "Show Movie Inspector". This will tell you the format. A video format meeting the full requirements would read, "H.264, 1280 x 720, Millions, AAC, 2 Channels, 44100 Hz" for High Definition or "H.264, 640 x 480, Millions, AAC, 2 Channels, 44100 Hz" for Standard Definition.

What if my video format is correct (H.264, 1280x720), but my audio format is not AAC? Should I convert the file to match the requirements?

Please convert the video the requested format. If the quality of the video degrades, please submit the original file without the sound corrected.

How do I convert my audio file to a video file?

On Mac OS X 10.6, open the audio file with Quicktime and save as a movie. (On Windows and Mac OS X 10.5 and earlier, this would require purchasing QuickTime Pro.) Freeware options on Mac OS X include. Freeware options on Windows include.

I think I can upload my video file to Youtube or Vimeo without converting it first. Do I have to convert it first?

Please check your video format before uploading. You can use Quicktime on Mac or Windows to check the format of the video to confirm it meets the required format.

If I choose to send two 5-minute excerpts instead of one 10-minute sample, may the excerpts be from two different works?

Yes

I already have a full-length video of the performance I will be submitting as a work sample on my website, can I just submit that link?

No. Please send a link to the specific 10 or 5-minute excerpt you would like to submit. If a link to a full-length piece is submitted, evaluators will view the first ten minutes only.

I'm a fiscal sponsor, am I responsible for uploading sponsored artists' work samples?

No. Artists are responsible for uploading their work samples before submitting their application.

What information should I include in the "Work Sample Description?"

With video, it's helpful for the panel to know where the work is being performed, whether the documentation was made in front of an audience or during a rehearsal, and who the key performers are.

For all sample types, it's helpful to mention briefly what, if any, connection the work has to the proposed work.

My company is commissioning a new work that we will premiere, but not co-create. Should we send a work sample for the company in addition to commissioned artist?

Yes.

I'm a Lead Artist playing more than one role on this project. May I send samples for all the roles I'm playing?

Clarity and simplicity are important aspects of your application. For that reason, we highly recommend that a Lead Artist send samples for no more than two roles she or he might play in a project.

I am concerned about Actors Equity Union rules in regard to video taping and uploading to video sharing sites. What do I do?

Actors Equity Union has recently changed their union contracts to allow for archival tapings, documentaries and other promotional areas. The video links you will provide to us in your application can be set to private so the tapings will still remain for these purposes only. If you have further questions about this please review your Actors Equity contract or contact them directly.

Should I send a work sample for my Executive Director, Artistic Director or Music Director if she is not a generative artist on the proposed work?

No.

Can I send promotional materials as work samples?

No. Send only samples of the work itself, without voice-over explanation or promotional editing. Press coverage and/or reviews may not be submitted.

Are there restrictions on the age of a work sample?

Yes, every Lead Artist should send at least one sample from work created within the last 5 years.


[Work Sample FAQs]

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