UNSTAGED, the photography contest run by Blipfoto in partnership with Channel 4, National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Screen, is now open for entries from across the world.
The first competition, Scotland At Play, attracted close to 1,000 entries and culminated in a prize-giving at Edinburgh’s InSpace gallery in April.
Following this success, Unstaged has extended the competition to a global audience. Entrants are invited to submit up to three images that say something bold, fresh and different about ‘the theatre of everyday life’.
How To Enter
Entry is open to anyone over 13. Unstaged is truly open to all — a winning entry is just as likely to come from a camera phone as an expensive digital camera. Entrants can submit up to three images to Blipfoto.com by creating a free Blipfoto account.
Full instructions are available on the competition website, www.blipfoto.com/unstaged
Prizes
There are some fantastic prizes on offer, with the winner receiving a Canon 5DMK2, £500 cash, a day shooting with the National Theatre of Scotland and a lifetime Blipfoto premium membership. Runners-up receive a Panasonic Lumix CX3 and all ten shortlisted entrants win a one year Blipfoto premium membership.
Judging
The judging panel will include Stuart Cosgrove (Channel 4), Vicky Featherstone (National Theatre of Scotland) and Joe Tree (Blipfoto) plus others to be announced.
Closing Dates
The competition is open for entry now and closes on 31 August 2010.
Culture Minister, Fiona Hyslop, says: “Participation in cultural and creative activities has a positive impact on many areas of individuals’ lives. This is a great way to motivate yourself into doing something creative every day. And not only will you benefit from taking part in the activity itself; you may also win a prize.”
Stuart Cosgrove, director, Channel 4 Nations & Regions, says: “Channel 4 prides itself on taking creative risks and offering fresh perspectives. Unstaged throws down the gauntlet for budding photographers to do the same. We’re delighted to be extending this competition to a global audience.”
Vicky Featherstone, artistic director, National Theatre of Scotland says: “National Theatre of Scotland has built its success so far on innovative collaborations which push the boundaries of theatre and redefine our experience of it. Channel 4, Blipfoto and Scottish Screen in creating this exceptional opportunity for ideas, are opening doors for us all to be challenged, stimulated and entertained.
“We are nothing without nurturing and harnessing the extraordinary talents within our different communities. I can’t wait to see what people’s imaginations will do.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Blipfoto is a daily photo blogging community and Scottish digital success story. The site, which allows members to post one photo a day and invite response from their fellow community of ‘blippers’, started out as a personal project four years ago. Purely through word of mouth, the site now has blippers in 150 countries, who have uploaded half a million images and some three million comments. An astonishing 40 per cent of members have signed up for premium membership since Blipfoto created the service last year. Blipfoto won a Bafta for best website in 2009. www.blipfoto.com
- The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. Since its launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating 124 productions in 115 different locations. With no building of its own, the company takes theatre all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests. The company has performed to over 482,000 people, across three continents.
- Channel 4 is known for its willingness to ‘do it first’ and take creative risks. It has led the way in broadcasters’ engagement with digital media, creating innovative cross-platform brands such as Skins and Embarrassing Bodies as well as commissioning award-winning games, apps and websites from regional cities across the UK.
- Scottish Screen supports Blipfoto through The Digital Media IP Fund, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and the Creative Scotland Innovation Fund.
- Scotland At Play was the first of the Unstaged competitions. It ran from November to April 2009/10 and attracted close to 1,000 entries. The winner, Louise Menmuir from East Lothian, was presented with a camera and cash prize at a special ceremony in Edinburgh’s InSpace gallery.
MORE INFORMATION
For further information about Unstaged or Blipfoto, please contact
Nicola More, Channel 4 – nmore@channel4.co.uk – 0141 568 7106
Meagan Dechen, Blipfoto – meagan@blipfoto.com – 0131 467 7740
MEDIA RELEASE posted by the National Theatre of Scotland. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Nicola More
Phone: 0141 568 7106
Email: nmore@channel4.co.uk
Website: http://www.blipfoto.com/unstaged
