The West Coast Ragtime Society Proudly Presents Spotlighting Ragtime Youth
FINAL Due Date: July 31, 2023


Aiming for a high quality presentation, please follow the video guidelines below.

Requirements

  1. Landscape (horizontal} orientation. Check to be sure your head isn't cut off, or any distracting things in the background
  2. In your introduction, include your name, title of the piece, the year it was composed and the composer's name. Speak slowly and distinctly and loud enough for your voice to be heard in playback. It's important to check this first, so do a little test run. Introductions can each be a separate file and they will be put together by the video technician.
  3. Your intro should be no longer than 90 seconds. The Emcees will introduce you from the form you filled out.
  4. You will have 10 minutes max to play 1-2 pieces. There is no minimum time limit.
  5. If you are submitting more than 1 piece, make it a separate video.

Video Quality

  1. We prefer 1080p video resolution. Less than 720p may be unstable.
  2. Aim to get your entire head and hands in the frame, and maybe feet, too.
  3. Leave a space of several seconds at the beginning and end of your video.
  4. If possible, use an external microphone.
  5. Check that sound recording settings are not compressed or equalized, if possible. (If using a smartphone, this may not be an option. We'll take smartphone submissions, though.
  6. Tell a little about the piece, and why you chose it.

Please do not:

  1. Do not cut or trim video. We need an unedited submission. Only exception is that the introduction can be a separate file.
  2. Do not include text of any kind in our videos. (That will be added later.)
  3. Do not add video or audio fade-ins or fade-outs. (Those will be added later.)

Background:

  1. Create a clean, uncluttered space. Avoid filming in front of an unshaded window?
  2. Dress up! This is a a public performance and think of yourself as on stage.
  3. Consider the lighting. Is there enough consistent light? Are there streaky shadows on you or the keys.
  4. Be aware of background noises and work to eliminate them. A TV in another room, a barking dog, or phones ringing would be distracting. If you are using a SmartPhone to record, be sure to put it in airplane mode.
  5. A steady camera angle works well. A shaking hand holding does not. Place your camera in a fixed position and avoid somebody holding it.

After we receive your completed admission form, we will send you a dropbox link to upload your videos.
Any questions?
Chris Bradshaw -
408-842-4990
West Coast Youth Coordinator