RULES AND REGULATIONS: ENTRIES ON DVD

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMITTING A RECORDED PERFORMANCE

　GUIDELINES FOR RECORDING THE PERFORMANCE:

• A professional recording is not required.

• The camera position should represent the "eyes of the adjudicator", without zooming in and out, moving around with the camera, changing of camera angles, etc.

• Position the camera in a position where the full performance area as will be utilized by the performer, will be visible in the view finder.　 If necessary, zoom in/out until this can be obtained and then leave the camera stationary.

• Background
  Make use of a plain or neutral background as far as possible. Be aware of the contrast with the background, e.g. do not perform with a black costume against a black backdrop.

• Lighting
  Please ensure that there is sufficient light on stage or wherever the performance is being recorded. Light should come from the front to prevent shades on the face(s). (E.g.: do not record in front of a window with the light coming from the back.) Do not use any lighting effects when recording drama items. Lighting effects may be used when recording dance or contemporary music items as long as it does not affect the visibility of the performance. (It is difficult to adjudicate a performance that happens in the dark!)

• Sound
  Please ensure that the accompaniment (live accompaniment or recorded backing tracks) does not outshine the voice(s) when recording vocal and instrumental items. The recording should display a good balance between the voice/instrument and the accompaniment. Solos with backing tracks should be recorded exactly as how an adjudicator will be able to hear it under normal circumstances - no direct sound feed between mixer and recording devices is allowed.

• Recording the performance
  Write your NAME & SURNAME, Grade & School (where applicable), ITEM NUMBER and a BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM (e.g. English Monologue, Vocal solo, Jazz, etc.) clearly in PRINT on an A3 or A4 page. Hold this "label" up in front of the camera so that the detail is clear in the view finder and keep it there.　 Start the recording by pushing the record button and hold it for a count of　10 and then pause the recording. Get rid of the white page and get into the starting position for your performance. Then push the record button again and continue with the performance until the end. Do not at all stop or pause the recording during the performance.　 If anything goes wrong, you need to start all over again, including holding up the "label".

• Copying the recording onto DVD

• Finalizing the recording
  The first step is to import the recording from the camera onto computer. IMPORTANT: Do NOT edit the video in any way (including auto tuning of voices).

• Once the recording has been imported, select the appropriate file and copy and burn it onto an unused DVD. After the file has been burnt onto the DVD, eject the DVD and finalize it if it is requested. Then put the DVD back into the DVD drive and check whether you can open and play the file on your computer. If this was done successfully,　clearly mark the DVD with the NAME & SURNAME of the participant(s) as well as the ENTRY NUMBER.

• Final step Put the DVD in a cover, attach a copy of the entry form and put everything (preferably!) in a bubble envelop and mail or courier to the address as provided below. More than one DVD can be included in one envelope if needed. You are advised to register the envelope and to mail the tracking number to entry@eisteddfod.co.za together with a copy of the entry form. (For more information, refer to the complete instructions on the next page).

SUBMISSION OF AN ENTRY FOR A RECORDED ENTRY on DVD:

• Complete and submit the entry form ONLINE:
  • All the details of the entry can be submitted ONLINE. (Use the link to online entries on the web site (www.eisteddfod.co.za). No limit on the number of entries allowed.
  • Clearly mark you DVD with the NAME & SURNAME of the participant(s), ENTRY NUMBER and the ENTRY REFERENCE NUMBER that will as provided when submitting an entry ONLINE).

• Complete and submit the entry form in hard copy format (paper / fax / email):
  • Complete a separate entry form for EACH RECORDED PERFORMANCE ON DVD to be submitted.
  • Clearly mark you DVD with the NAME & SURNAME of the participant(s) and the ENTRY NUMBER.
  • A attach a copy of this entry form to the cover of EACH DVD that you will be submitting.

• Copying the recording onto DVD
  Once the recording has been imported, select the appropriate file and copy and burn it onto an unused DVD. After the file has been burnt onto the DVD, eject the DVD and finalize it if it is requested. Then put the DVD back into the DVD drive and check whether you can open and play the file on your computer. If this was done successfully,　clearly mark the DVD with the NAME & SURNAME of the participant(s) as well as the ENTRY NUMBER.

• Final steps

 Put the DVD in a cover, attach a copy of the entry form and put everything (preferably!) in a bubble envelop and mail or courier to the address as provided above. More than one DVD can be included in one envelope if needed. You are advised to register the envelope and to mail the tracking number to entry@eisteddfod.co.za together with a copy of the entry form.

Only ONE performance should be copied on a DVD. Use a separate DVD for EACH entry/performance/recording.

Finally submit the entry by mail / courier according to the process as outlined

All DVD entries should reach the NEA BEFORE 16:00 on 31 August 2016.

SUBMISSION OF A RECORDED ENTRY VIA DROPBOX:

• Completing the entry form ONLINE:
  • Submit all the details of the entry ONLINE. (Use the link to online entries on the web site (www.eisteddfod.co.za). No limit on the number of entries allowed.
  • Finalize the recording of the performance as outlined above.
  • Set up a Dropbox account on your computer
  • Create a folder on your Dropbox, using your NAME and the ENTRY REFERENCE NUMBER (that will as provided when submitting an entry ONLINE) to label the folder.
  • Upload your recorded performance to this folder on your dropbox account.
  • E-mail a link to this file by sharing it with entry@eisteddfod.co.za.
  • The NEA will confirm receipt of this link asap, however if you do not receive confirmation within 7 days, please email you NAME and the ENTRY REFERENCE NUMBER to info@eisteddfod.co.za.
  • If needed, e-mail info@eisteddfod.co.za for assistance regarding the dropbox process.

　DELIVERY / POSTAL ADDRESS:

• 　DVD entries can be hand delivered / mailed / couriered to the following address: