Electronic Arts wants your shorts by April 7

April 7 is the deadline for REVEAL 06, Electronic Arts' 3D animation showdown for graduating Canadian art students.

A $20,000 grand prize will be awarded for the project that best represents excellence in digital short animation.

WHO CAN APPLY?
Canadian citizens or permanent Canadian residents who are currently enrolled in their graduating year of a recognized Canadian Art Program. Entrants must be graduating between September 1, 2005 and August 31, 2006.

WHAT CAN I WIN?
There will be 10 cash prizes awarded for student projects. In addition, a matching grant will be awarded to the school of the grand prize winner. The grand prize winner will not be eligible for other prizes. Here's how the prize money will be awarded:

Grand Prize: (1 winner)
$20,000 -- Award for the Best Short Digital Animation
Matching Grant: (1 Recognized Canadian Art Institution)
$20,000 -- Grand Prize-winning student's educational institution

First Place (3 winners) $3,000

Second Place (3 winners) $1,500

Third Place (3 winners) $500

First, second, and third place will be awarded in each of the following craft categories:
Animation (Character or Effects)
Modeling/Texturing (Characters; Environments; Props or Vehicles)
Lighting/Rendering (Characters; Environments; Compositing; Lighting Effects)
The top 25 finalists will be flown to Electronic Arts' Vancouver Studio for final judging and Gala Presentation. This trip includes roundtrip economy/coach class airfare for the finalist to Vancouver, British Columbia and hotel accommodation for four (4) days and three (3) nights. (Approximate retail value is $2,500.)

WHAT MUST I INCLUDE WITH MY ENTRY?
3D Digital Animated Short -- up to 4 minutes maximum length.
One page artist biography (tell us a bit about yourself).
A 250-word essay documenting the creative process you went through to create your digital short. You may also specify which craft you focused on.
Three digital still images of pieces of artwork best representing your art portfolio (in any medium). No screen shots from your 3D digital animation will be accepted.
Official proof of registration at your educational institution.
Permanent home address and contact info, including phone number and e-mail address.

IN WHAT FORMAT WILL EA ACCEPT MY ENTRY?
3D Digital Animated Short submissions will only be accepted on DVD, as QuickTime video format files, or CD-ROM. Other required entry materials can be submitted in most appropriate format.

GROUP PROJECTS: Will not be accepted.

WHO WILL JUDGE MY PROJECT?
All entries will be judged by artists employed by Electronic Arts. Winning selections will be based on Electronic Arts' sole discretion and based on technical ability, originality and creativity/artistic merit.

WHAT IS MY DEADLINE?
To become eligible, you must complete a two-step process that includes registration and package submission.
Go to www.reveal.ea.com and declare your intent to enter the competition.
Send your package to the below address by 11:59 p.m. PST on April 7.
All entries must be submitted in their entirety by 11:59 p.m. PST on April 7th.

WHERE DO I SEND MY ENTRY PACKAGE?

Electronic Arts Canada
Attn: REVEAL 06
4330 Sanderson Way
Burnaby, B.C.
V5G 4X1

Submissions will not be returned.


Official rules and regulations can be seen at www.reveal.ea.com/rules.html.