Madison, Wis. - Sony Creative Software, a provider of consumer and professional video and audio editing software applications, announced the finalists for its Technology in Motion: Vision of the Future student film contest.
The contest provided the tools for high school students to develop video production skills while predicting the future of technology through their short films. Hundreds of schools participated in the program, and the three finalists are: Alpha School by students from Lisbon High School in Iowa, Contact by students from Ashland High School in Ohio, and TECH 178 by students from Tandem Friends High School in Virginia.
Alpha School is a 2D black-and-white animation that looks at the bleak consequences humans will face if we make ourselves tools to technology, rather than making technology "an aid to man," as described in the film's closing scene.
Contact is a live-action film that showcases a group of teens trying to free their community from a state where human contact is forbidden in favor of communication solely through computerized methods.
The film TECH 178 features two friends discussing their different views of the future through paper puppetry and live-action sequences.
"Through the Technology in Motion contest, Sony Creative Software and our partners sought to expose students to the technical fundamentals of film production as well as nurture creativity, innovation and leadership skills," says Dave Chaimson, vice president of global marketing for Sony Creative Software. "We applaud all entrants for their efforts and hope that they will continue to grow their creative skills and contribute their talents to the film world."
An expert panel rated the three finalists from the submissions entered into the contest, judging entries on creativity and originality. The three finalists' videos have been posted online to http://www.techinmotioncontest.com, where public voting will determine the final ranking of the top three finalists.
All three finalists will receive prize packages from Sony that will be presented at the National Educational Computing Conference in San Antonio June 29 through July 2. The grand prize winner will receive two Sony VAIO laptop computers, a video camera, software, and accessories worth more than $25,000. Total prize packages awarded to the three finalists are valued at more than $70,000.