12-hour video winner and bridesmaid post

Watch the 12-hour video winner. Kudos to the winning team:  Alina Yeisley, Ryan Irwin, Jonathan McDonald, Julie Spielhagen, Elizabeth Weishar, Christina Martin, Amy Berghaus, Bruce Hartwick.       

In the interest of equal time, read the diatribe written by Allen Harkleroad, a five-time runner-up in the annual 12-hour video contest.  

Always the Bridesmaid…

It started off like any other day – wake up in the morning, figure out where I am, realize I’m at home, let the dogs out, drink some coffee, let the dogs out again since in their excitement to go outside they forgot why they were out there, shower, get dressed and roll out to work on the hog. This day would be a little different, though. Today was May 6th. Yes, it was the traditional “Day After Cinco de Mayo” party day, but it was also the day of the PlattForm all company meeting; the day when the results of the 12 Hour Video contest would finally be announced.

What is a 12 Hour Video? Simply put, PlattFormers who want to participate are put on teams. Each team is given a date and have from 3PM to 3AM that day to write, shoot and edit a video with a designated theme. This year, the theme was music videos.

The work day at PlattForm went as usual and after some exciting turns around the rink (the company went roller skating before the meeting) it was time for the meeting and announcement of the winning video. The tension and excitement was palpable. I had been involved in the 12 Hour Video contest since its inception and always had a great time. Some of the videos I had helped make were great. Some were…well…they were. Through all of those videos my greatest disappointment was that none had claimed the 1st place prize. This would be the year though! My team had chosen the song “With Arms Wide Open” by Creed. How could you go wrong with a video that mocked Scott Stapp? You can’t! The entire video was done in slow-mo and had elements such as a guy in the shower singing into a shampoo bottle, a girl using a urinal and a guy wearing a wedding dress. Golden! And classy!

Here it was, finally – the announcement. My heart began to beat more quickly. My brow began to sweat a bit, although according to my wife, that’s normal for me. I’m a guy! We sweat sometimes! Geez! Anyway, the announcement. My sweaty, palpitating body was poised to stand and be recognized for the genius of our video. “And the winner is…the ‘Hey-Ya!’ video!”  

My heart sank. Snubbed once again, I was beginning to believe the talk of the Academy being ruled by politics. Granted, the “Hey-Ya!” video was good, but it lacked a certain socio-political message that can only be brought by a guy playing a broom like a guitar. Would this cause me to throw in the towel and be done with the whole thing? Not a chance! Seriously!? What kind of schlub do you think I am? Don’t fret; I’ll be back next year. After all, the sixth time is the charm, right?