Rootclip

Q: How does Rootclip.com work?

A: We create a short video clip or "Rootclip" to start the story. You watch our video, then shoot your own rendition of what should happen next in less than 2 minutes. Once you've created your video, upload it to Rootclip.com during the submission period and compete for votes against the videos from other users. Gain the highest percentage of user and judge votes during the voting period and your video becomes the next chapter in the story.

Q: Do I get anything for winning a given chapter?

A: Totally! Each chapter winner will win some sweet prizes. They will also become eligible to compete against the winners of chapters 2 through 5 to create the final chapter (chapter 6) in the story. Only previous chapter winners are eligible to create the final chapter, but everybody can vote. Prizes for our currently running contests.

Q: What happens if my video is selected as the winner of the final chapter?

A: The final chapter winner will receive the grand prize for a given contest. These are continually changing, but you can find out what prizes are available for the current contests by clicking here. See official rules for details.

Q: How do I keep the characters consistent?

A: We understand that you are not going to have the same actors that we had in the Rootclip. Don't worry about it! Just try to keep your characters wearing similar clothes or carrying similar items so that everybody can tell who they are supposed to be in the story. Don't worry about them looking exactly the same, just get creative and have fun with it!

Q: What are the dates for the submission and voting periods?

A: Check the Contest Rules pages for more details on each contest.

Q: What music am I able to use in my submission?

Copyrighted music cannot be used in your submissions. Any videos with copyrighted music will be disqualified and not eligible for the contest. Sorry...dems da breaks! We do have a few places that you can find some "free and legal" tracks to use in your videos, though:

Incompetech
Unique Tracks
Royalty Free Music
Bitnotic

You could also use tracks from Garage Band, or write YOUR OWN music! To explain how the 'public domain' works, please read this Wikipedia - Public Domain page.

Q: Why doesn't the video player work in fullscreen mode?

A: Most likely your version of Flash is out of date. The video player requires a minimum Flash version of 9.0.28 (released November, 2006). To check your Flash version or update to the latest version, visit the Adobe Flash Player Version test.

Q: Do you have any specifications for uploading my videos?

A: Rootclip suggests that you use a .mov, .mp4 or .wmv file type. To create a video as a .mov, here is what we suggest:

If you are using Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Express you should export your projects as follows:

• Choose File > Export > Using QuickTime Conversion
• Pick Format: QuickTime Movie
• Click Options
• Use the following settings:
  
  

If you are using iMovie you should export your projects as follows:

• Choose File > Share
• Choose Web
  
  

If you are using other software to export, here are some general guidelines:

• Video Codec: H.264
• Audio Codec: AAC
• Resolution: 568x426
• Video Data Rate: 672 kbps
• Audio Data Rate: 128 kbps
  
  

Supported file types are: .avi, .dv, .mov, .qt, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .3gp, .asf, .wmv, .3g2

Dimensions: Our player is 568x426. Those are the preferred dimensions and will give you the best looking video. Other 4:3 aspect ratio videos should still encode, but we recommend this size.