"It's amazing to see the changes in this industry since we first did the EventDV 25 in 2005," said EventDV editor-in-chief Stephen Nathans-Kelly. "Of course we've seen technological changes, such as the migration to HD, as well as the emergence of new styles, changes in the perception of videographers outside our field, and the innovative ways videographers have adopted new business strategies to adapt to changes in the economy. But one undeniable change we've seen is in the ways event filmmakers interact and influence each other on an international level. While the value of national and international industry events such as WEVA Expo are tremendous, the growth of online forums and social networks and the ability and willingness of videographers to share their work online and comment on one another's work have extended the sphere of influence exponentially," Nathans-Kelly said. "The incipient Re:Frame events wouldn't even be happening if event filmmakers weren't connecting online in the way they have in recent years. The changes in the composition of our all-star teams have reflected these developments," he continued. "In the first two years the list consisted almost exclusively of longtime speakers at industry events, but last year's list reflected the rise of studios that have made their biggest impact by interacting with their colleagues online, and the increasingly global scope of our business. Now we see a great mix of studios from around the world who are exerting a powerful influence on the industry in a variety of ways." Click here to read about last year's all-star team, the 2007 EventDV 25. The voting and selection process for the 2008 EventDV 25 remains very similar to last year's process. Videographers may vote as many as 25 times, but they can't vote for the same videographer more than once. You must be a working videographer to vote, and you must be a working videographer to make the list. And, as befits a competition that's about having a professional impact on your peers and on your industry as a whole, votes cast by videographers for themselves, for their family members, employers, employees, or anyone in their studio will not be counted. (Videographers who receive votes from themselves, their family members, their employers, employees, or business partners will still be eligible to make the list; the disqualified votes simply won't count toward their total.) One new wrinkle introduced this year to make votes easier to validate is that voters must identify themselves with a valid company domain name in their email address (e.g., videographer@mystudio.com) for their votes to count. As in the 2006 and 2007 voting, the videographers/studios with the 25 highest vote totals will become the 2008 EventDV 25. The final new aspect of this year's voting process is that, in keeping with the all-star team/baseball theme of the EventDV 25, EventDV has appointed a Commissioner to review and certify the vote after the polls close on February 9. "Three-time EventDV 25 honoree John Goolsby of Cannon Video Productions has graciously agreed to withdraw himself from all-star team consideration this year and accepted the title of Commissioner. As Commissioner, John will review and validate this year's EventDV 25 voting," said Nathans-Kelly. "As the initiator, organizer, and host of three amazing EventDV 25 symposia at his Inland Empire home over the last three years, and with everything he's done to advance this industry, John's integrity and the respect and admiration he's earned over the last two decades make him a perfect choice for Commissioner. I'm honored that he took the job. After Commissioner Goolsby certifies the vote, we'll have our 2008 all-star team, and we will reveal it to the industry—and to the honorees themselves—in our EventDV 25 web event on EventDV-TV shortly thereafter." Watch the EventDV Spotlight newsletter for more announcements about the EventDV 25 and how EventDV-TV will be delivering content featuring the EventDV 25 honorees throughout the year, following the announcement of the new 25 in March. To make your 25 selections for the hottest and most influential videographers of 2008, click here and vote now.
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