Name: Heidi Petty

Job: Director / Cinematographer

Favorite food: Patxi’s Chicago vegan pizza

Weapon of choice: Canon t2i & a french press.

Craziest moment of the past year: SXSW was one big crazy moment, being able to roam around one street with all my favorite people, while working, is a playground .
A refreshing reminder to make ‘work your play.’

What are you currently working on? Finishing up a Twin Shadow video for Yourstru.ly (an ongoing, exciting collaboration & adventure); in pre-production for a music video that will take place in an abandoned hacienda! – and a dance party called FUZzZ that happens once a month at El Rio…cause you can’t forget to DANCE.

Links: Website / Blog / Vimeo / Twitter

Video contests are not only good for the winners. They are a great opportunity to exercise your creativity, gain valuable experience working under a deadline, and most of all, boost your reel if you’re an aspiring filmmaker. Check out these cool contests going on right now:

1. The first-ever Vimeo Festival and Awards is coming up soon. With several reputable judges like David Lynch and DJ Spooky there will surely be some interesting videos that win. The award categories include narrative, animation, documentary, music video, experimental and more. The overall winner will receive a grant for $25,000 to work on future video projects. Hurry, because the deadline to enter is July 31st! Enter here.

2. Amazon wants you to make their next television commercial for Kindle. In 60 seconds, show what makes Kindle such a great product and you just might win the grand prize of $10,000. There will also be 5 editors’ choice awards totaling $2,000 courtesy of Poptent. This contest also ends July 31st, so time is of the essence. Enter here.

3. You know those self-indulgent moments in life when you might eat a little too much and need something to settle your stomach? The witty people at Pepto-Bismol want you to capture the pink stuff on film saving the day.  Judges will look for the most genuine recorded moment (60 seconds) and award the winner $15,000. Deadline is August 16th. Enter here.

4. Canon is featuring a cool contest involving photographer Vincent Laforet. Participants must interpret a still photograph and create a short film (2-4 min) about it using an HD camera. Several submission periods have already passed, and a few winners have already been selected, but there is still one last chance to enter by August 25th. All chapter winners receive a one year membership to Vimeo Plus, a Canon EOS 7D or 5D Mark II and choice of lens, plus a trip to work on a film with Vincent Laforet. Enter here.

5. In need of a long vacation? Get Rid of Me is a video contest from On The Go Tours with a organized six month trip as the grand prize. Create a video explaining why they should get rid of you, write a short essay and create daily confessions to qualify to win. The best part is you get a spare ticket to bring along a friend to places like China, Egypt, South Africa and Nepal. Contest ends September 30th. Enter here.