"Coming to Life" won the first BYU SPARKY Awards Video Contest Friday. The event was sponsored by the Harold B. Lee Library.

"MindMashup: The value of information sharing" was the theme for the BYU SPARKY Award.

Participants submitted two-minute videos to illustrate the value and benefits of sharing ideas and information of all kinds.

"Coming to Life," edited by Matthew Marshall, a junior from Bountiful, majoring in mechanical engineering promotes the sharing of information through the idea that "together everyone can achieve more." The entry incorporated both animation and video.

The winning entry showed the fusion of globes to have, in the end, a dynamic world.

"There are three globes which represent ideas or information, each with an object inside still and without life," Marshall said. "When the globes combine you see that they are not just inanimate objects but are full of movement and life."

Marshall said when ideas are shared they can have an influence in the world. They can grow and build upon each other and come to life instead of just being trapped in its own sphere.

During the screening event, three other entries were honored. "Pass it On" by Roger McMullan received an honorable mention. McMullan's entry was one point below the two that were tied for second place. "Discover New Worlds" by Tennille Olsen and "The Puzzle" by Daniel Geiger tied for second place and a $50 check. The winning entry won a 16 gigabyte iPod Touch.

The judges' panel consisted of BYU faculty and students and filmmakers

"In general, I was pleased because I could tell the entries had a very good understanding of the production value, but I was also pleased with the concept," said Drew Tyler, one of the judges and a Masters student in mass communications. "Everybody is a unique individual and processes information differently, and when you get several individuals together processing a thing in their own individual way, the result is unlimited."

Tyler said entries showed the great effort and amount of time participants put in. They were very polished and communicated the message in a variety of unique ways, he said.

The Library sponsored the contest to encourage students to enter the International SPARKY Awards, sponsored by The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition, said Cyndee Frazier, member of the BYU SPARKY organization team.

The sharing of ideas and information is a way to build a better world, said Randy Olsen, university librarian. He said that through the SPARKY video contest, people can promote and understand the vital importance of sharing information to address complex problems that challenge society.

Students have until Nov. 30 to submit their entries for the international competition. The winner will receive a SPARKY statuette and $1,000.



Copyright Brigham Young University 17 Nov 2008