Sometimes, documenting our successes can feel a little daunting—where do you even start, right? Don’t worry, we all need a bit of help now and then. To make it easier for you, we’ve put together a few questions to get you thinking. Consider this some friendly food for thought to help you share your work in the best possible light. Let’s dive in! 

1. How did your sound breathe life into a theatrical production?

2. Tell us about a time you overcame a challenge with sound—what made it memorable or saved the production?

3. What’s the most thrilling sound effect or design choice you’ve ever created?

The contest begins on January 3, 2025 at 12:00AM PDT and ends on February 14, 2025 at 11:59PM EDT (the "Contest Period"). Entries that are submitted before or after the Contest Period will be disqualified.

Yes, you must be a currently enrolled student of a college or university to qualify, and must be 18 years or older to enter.

The GRAND PRIZE consists of an expense-paid trip to USITT 2025, with a maximum value of $2,500, applicable towards:

1. 1. Round-trip transportation to the event location.
   2. Accommodation during the event.
   3. Full event registration.

Prize Conditions:
The grand prize will be awarded at the sole and absolute discretion of Point Source Audio. The prize may be dispensed either directly, in the form of accommodation and transportation arranged by the company, or as reimbursement for expenses incurred by the winner. Reimbursement will only be made for valid receipts submitted by the winner, covering eligible expenses such as airfare and hotel accommodations, up to the prize's stated maximum value.

Point Source Audio reserves the right to determine the method of prize fulfillment in its sole discretion. The company is not responsible for any costs incurred by the winner that exceed the stated maximum prize value or for expenses not expressly covered under these rules.

By participating in the contest, the winner agrees to comply with all conditions set forth and acknowledges that prize fulfillment is subject to the terms outlined herein.

We'll notify the winner within 3-5 business days! Be sure to follow our social media feeds for notification!

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No purchase is necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. All federal, state, local, and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited.

1. Contest Overview

a. Title: WIN A TRIP TO USITT25. YOUR STORY IN SOUND
b. Objective: Submit a creative clip where sound is a key element of storytelling, whether through video, sound design, or images accompanied by a story.
c. Theme: Showcase how sound amplifies and elevates the story in theatre.

2. Sponsor
WIN A TRIP TO USITT25. YOUR STORY IN SOUND is sponsored by Point Source Audio, located at 1304 Southpoint Blvd. #260 Petaluma, CA 94954.

3. Contest Entry Period
The contest begins on January 3, 2025, at 12:00AM PDY and ends on February 14, 2025, at 11:59PM EDT (the "Contest Period"). Entries that are submitted before or after the Contest Period will be disqualified. Submissions will be accepted for the duration of the Contest Period using any of the following methods:

i. Online at Point Source Audio’s website: https://www.point-sourceaudio.com/usitt2025_sound_design_contest/

4. Eligibility
Open to college students currently enrolled in a recognized academic institution. Contest is open to legal residents, or scholastic-related visa/credentials, of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Participants must be studying or have a demonstrated interest in sound design or related fields. Submissions must be original and created by the entrant.

5. Submission Guidelines

a. Format:

i. Entries can be in the form of:

1. 1. 1. A video clip (MP4, MOV)
      2. An audio file (MP3, WAV)
      3. A combination of images and a written story (PDF or DOCX)

b. Length:

i. Video/audio submissions: Maximum of 2 minutes.
ii. Companion summary: Maximum of 600 words.

c. Content Requirements:

i. Sound must play a central role in the narrative.
ii. Submissions should align with the theme: “The Sounds of Theatre.”
iii. Content must be appropriate for all audiences and free of offensive language or imagery.

d. Submission Process:

i. All entries must be submitted via the contest portal.
ii. Include the following in your submission:

1. 1. 1. Full Name
      2. Contact Information
      3. Academic Institution

e. Deadline: All submissions must be received by February 14, 2025, at 11:59PM EDT.

6. Judging Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on the following:

a. Creativity: How uniquely and effectively sound is used in storytelling.
b. Artistic Merit: Quality and originality of the content.
c. Relevance: Alignment with the contest theme.
d. Technical Skill: Proficiency in sound design and execution.

7. Prizes

a. Grand Prize:
The grand prize consists of an expense-paid trip to USITT 2025, with a maximum value of $2,500, applicable towards:

i. Round-trip transportation to the event location.
ii. Accommodation during the event.
iii. Full event registration.

b. Prize Conditions:
The grand prize will be awarded at the sole and absolute discretion of Point Source Audio. The prize may be dispensed either directly, in the form of accommodation and transportation arranged by the company, or as reimbursement for expenses incurred by the winner. Reimbursement will only be made for valid receipts submitted by the winner, covering eligible expenses such as airfare and hotel accommodations, up to the prize's stated maximum value.

Point Source Audio reserves the right to determine the method of prize fulfillment in its sole discretion. The company is not responsible for any costs incurred by the winner that exceed the stated maximum prize value or for expenses not expressly covered under these rules.

By participating in the contest, the winner agrees to comply with all conditions set forth and acknowledges that prize fulfillment is subject to the terms outlined herein.

8. Winner Notification
The winner will be announced by Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Winner must confirm acceptance of the prize within 3 business days of notification. If a winner cannot be contacted or fails to confirm acceptance, an alternate winner may be selected.

9. Additional Terms
By entering, participants grant Point Source Audio and USITT the right to use their submissions for promotional purposes, including social media, website, and event presentations. Participants retain ownership of their submissions but agree to share their work royalty-free for contest-related promotions. Point Source Audio and/or USITT are not responsible for technical issues or lost submissions. The contest organizer reserves the right to disqualify submissions that do not adhere to the rules.

10. General Conditions
In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to, fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention, or other technical problem, or in the event the contest is unable to run as planned for any other reason, as determined by the sponsor in its sole discretion, the sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either (a) suspend the contest to address the impairment and then resume the contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these official rules.

11. Disputes
Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the FREE TRIP TO USITT25 CONTEST or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in California. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrants' rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the FREE TRIP TO USITT25 CONTEST, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than California.

Contact Information
For questions or more details about the contest, please contact: marketing@point-sourceaudio.com