FAQVIDEO SUBMISSION
Video Feedback Policy 2024
The original intent for the video submission feedback notes with the festival was to give specific information to any comedian that did not get into a satellite event on what they could improve in their video in order to make adjustments and re-submit with a higher chance of getting into a future event. In the past 3 or 4 years, the note requests have nearly quadrupled in volume, and we have fielded many requests from comedians asking for specific and detailed advice on their approach to the technical elements relating to writing and performing – not notes on why they didn’t get in.
We have made the decision to return to the root purpose of the video submission notes – i.e. giving specific notes on your video, and what trends were noticed by the majority of submission judges. We will no longer provide notes to those that have already qualified for a satellite event. Additionally, the reason for the feedback is to help you with a resubmission, so the expectation is that any new video you send for consideration will show how you have taken the feedback and implemented it in a NEW recording.
As many of you know, we have a strong relationship with Comedy Feedback, and their CEO Jason Rowland has offered to provide steeply discounted one-on-one coaching sessions for anyone interested in deconstructing their video and getting highly detailed feedback. Comedy Feedback’s online video chat coaching normally costs $99 per session, but Jason is creating a special $39 consulting rate for comedians registered in The World Series of Comedy. Comedy Feedback from Jason
VIDEO SUBMISSION NOTES LINK
How important is my video?
Your video is everything. It is what will get you into (or not get you into) The World Series of Comedy. Your video is viewed by four different people on the WSOC staff. Some of us may know you, and some of us will not – it’s set up this way to make it fair. This means we have nothing else to go by but your video. If we cannot see you or hear you, then your video is not going to get a good score. If you don’t get a good score, we are not by any means saying you are not funny; we’re saying your video didn’t showcase your talent the best it could have.
What Type of Video Should I use?
I didn’t get picked for my Satellite. Can I give you another video for another Satellite or The Main Event?
Yes. Once you have submitted your video for a Satellite and it is closed for submissions, you may submit another video. If you only able to picked one Satellite when you registered then you can pay a fee of $25 to add all remaining Satellites then add a new video for one of those Satellites. At the time of your registration, if you picked more than one Satellite you can also resubmit a video for the upcoming Satellite. Once you have registered, you are always registered for The Main Event and always have a chance to get picked for The Main Event contest.
How do I resubmit a new video for either The Main Event or an additional Satellite?
Just submit your YouTube link to LINK TO SUBMIT NEW VIDEO, and we will update your registration with the new link.
Why should I give you a new video?
Getting selected for this festival is very difficult. If you submitted a video for a Satellite and were not one of the top 40, that means you did not beat out 80 to 100 comics. This means you probably won’t beat out the 500 comics who will be trying to get the 101 spots in The Main Event. Sending us a new video may help you increase your score and chances to make it to The Main Event.
Is there anything I should know before I submit a new video?
You should ask for video notes by filling out this form VIDEO NOTES FORM. These notes are from the video judges who watched your video. You should read the notes and see if there is something they are all saying you should work on. You should try to work on that in a new video, then submit that video. If the video judges see that you tried to make changes, that will go a long way with them. If you just submit an older video or one that is close to the same as the one you gave us before, then there is a good chance you will get the same score on the video.
How many times can I give you a new video?
One time. We will watch the YouTube video you give us with your registration, and if you are not picked, you can give us another video for review.
Does my video have to be in a comedy club?
Either a club or a one-nighter. Any place where you are on stage and there is an audience in front of you. If you send in a video from your kitchen, living room, shed, or truck, you are not going to get picked for a Satellite or The Main Event. Below is what we have in our FAQ question What Type of Video Should I use?
Can submitting a new video hurt me?
No. We will always count the video that gave you the highest points. So, if the new video is scored lower than the one we already have, you will keep the higher score from your first video submission.
How long should my video be?
It can be as long as you want, but we are only going to watch the first 5 minutes. We will not start watching 2 minutes into the video. We click on the YouTube link and start watching from the start. If you have a long introduction before it gets to your set, then that means we will see less of your standup routine.
Does my video have to be 5 minutes long?
No, but you are hurting your chances by not giving us 5 minutes. We will be watching 5 minutes of everyone else who is trying to get picked for the same Satellite. Why would you give yourself, such a disadvantage from the other comics? Seeing less of you and more of them helps them, not you.
Should the YouTube video that I submit be updated from the one I sent last year, or can I submit a video I’ve sent to the WSOC before?
The video you submit is, of course, your choice. But, if the video you submitted last year did not get you picked for a Satellite or The Main Event, it is very likely it won’t get you picked this year either. Also, as a rule, comics get better the longer they’re around. If your act is currently better than your video, you probably should submit a video of that. If the video you submitted last year got you into the festival, then it is OK to use that video again. It is not a guarantee that the same video will get you in again. Each year we always end up with a few different video judges.
Can the video be an audio recording?
No. This will limit the amount of points you can get when the judges review your video. For example, one category you are judged upon is stage presence. It is impossible to judge your skills on stage when we can’t see you. If you just submit an audio recording, you take from yourself all the points in that category. The same is true if submitting a video with no sound. Obviously, we must be able to hear your jokes.
Do different people judge the video clips?
The same WSOC staff members judge each video submission for every Satellite and The Main Event.
When are video submissions due?
Deadlines for video submissions are specific to each Satellite. Please go to the calendar on our website to get specific due dates for video submissions. Check out our calendar at: https://theworldseriesofcomedy.com/calendar. (Hint: We love it when you give us a YouTube video link with your registration!)
How do I get a YouTube link of my video?
This is a sample of what a link should look like: https://youtu.be/Kw-XWxhQP90. This is a link explaining how to get a YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4srpVThGvE (Note: When setting up your video link, remember to make sure it is not marked as “private” so we are able to watch it.)
Do you have any tips about my video?
Use a tripod. Do not have someone hold the camera and follow you around, it’s very hard to watch a video like that. Also, it’s very bad when the person who is holding the camera is laughing very loud at your jokes and moving the camera up and down. Use a tripod, set the camera up someplace nice, and get a good shot of your show.
If you plan to use your phone, put it on a tripod or something. Do not have someone holding it. Also, turn it sideways because this will make the video look much better and not have the huge black bars on the side of the video. If we can tell you used your phone, you don’t have a good video.
Don’t waste time. We are going to watch the first 5 minutes ONLY. If you have 30 seconds or more of someone else on stage before you, you will cut your chances of being picked by a large margin.
Don’t fumble with the microphone stand. If you take the microphone out of the stand (which is fine), place the stand behind you and don’t touch it until you put it back. Messing with the microphone stand screams “Amateur!”
If you use a video in which you were the host of a show, edit out anything that shows you as the host. Only show your set.
Don’t hold the mic covering up the mic. Hold the mic so the audio is clear and not muffled.
