And the Winner Is

Popular and prestigious video competitions such as those held at ESCRS conferences attract many entries. These competitions are a great place to win recognition for yourself and your work. But what do judges look for in a winner for a video competition? What makes a great one stand out?

Making a video for a competition is different from routine surgical videos. First, as in all good movies, the content is king. It should be interesting and informative for the entire duration of the video. Choosing a topic that you are passionate about or very good at makes your excellence shine through. A thorough review of literature is essential and can help prevent scientific or academic gaffes.

Remember that judging involves going through many videos in a short time, and therefore, it is important to make your video stand out. Making it clear within the first minute to two minutes what is trying to be discussed is crucial to retain the judges’ attention. Having a well-scripted, scientific narrative that flows from introduction through techniques; results; discussion of advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives; and finally concluding with limitations and what the future holds/should be is one great way to set out a story.

There are, of course, many other ways—and like movies, one can explore different genres of filmmaking, such as some lighthearted humour, suspense, etc., but make sure to keep it limited and not overpower the scientific content.

Various other elements need to come together for video competitions. The footage used should be of good quality, scientifically and aesthetically. Well-focused, well-centred, and highresolution videos help make a good film. Equally important are clear audio and avoiding grammatical or syntax errors as well as heavy accents. Music and sound effects can add to the overall viewing experience.

Get your creative juices flowing for the opening title of your film, as a great opening makes the viewer want to delve further. Proper editing software allows great titles, exciting special effects, good transitions, and more to be incorporated. Having multiple video and audio tracks can help add visual appeal—for instance, through overlays or insets and sound effects.

Finally, read the rules for the competition and make sure to adhere strictly to them in all respects, including time limits, allowed formats, use of copyrighted material, etc. Start early and leave enough time for corrections. Getting comments from mentors, teachers, colleagues, and friends can be invaluable in enhancing the content. In addition, critically viewing the video yourself a few times can help detect errors and correct poor editing before submission. Remember the deadline and upload early enough to avoid any last-minute problems and glitches.

Happy winning!!

Dr Soosan Jacob is Director and Chief of Dr Agarwal’s Refractive and Cornea Foundation at Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Chennai, India. dr_soosanj@hotmail.com