Western Folklife Center - Capture Your Story

Capture Your Story

The mission of Deep West Video is to share first-hand stories from the rural West that are rooted in the values of life on the land. Since 2000, the Western Folklife Center has been working with people from throughout the rural west to produce short videos and slide shows about their lives on the land. We welcome your submission.

Submission Guidelines:

Topics: Topics must reflect the mission of Deep West Video and be submitted for approval and feedback to Hal Cannon and Taki Telonidis at the Western Folklife Center Media Office.

Submit your ideas via e-mail or regular mail:

Western Folklife Center Media
101 Wasatch Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84112

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Formats: Deep West Video accepts projects produced in any digital video format that can easily be converted to a DVD file. (miniDV, PowerPoint, digital audio formats, etc)
Length: Producers will discuss a proposed length for their project with Hal and Taki, and will make every effort to keep to the agreed length. Producers are encouraged to make short presentations (less than 5 minutes) but longer formats also will be considered. The maximum length is 10 minutes.
Music: Producers will be encouraged to use public domain music to facilitate distribution. Producers are required to secure permission for using music that is copyrighted.
Status Reports: Producers will provide periodic status reports to Hal and Taki to ensure that their projects are on track. Submission does not guarantee that a work will be screened at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. The Western Folklife Center reserves the right to not show projects that diverge from content or length guidelines.

Production Timeline:
October 1- Proposal deadline: Includes discussion of topic, length, and format.

November 15- Rough Cut Review: Producers and Western Folklife Center staff will review the work-in-progress and assess structure, narration, and length issues. Submissions that arrive as completed projects must meet the approval of Folklife Center staff.

January 15- Producers will hand over completed work to the Western Folklife Center Media Office for audio and video tweaking (as needed) and formatting for screening. In addition, the Media Office will periodically check in with producers for status reports.

Equipment Support:
Producers are encouraged to invest in their own recording equipment and computer and software. Hal and Taki are available to advise producers on equipment appropriate to their project and budget.

Training & Technical Support:
The Western Folklife Center is exploring ways to efficiently disseminate “how to” information to contributing producers on this website. In the meantime, please contact Hal or Taki via telephone or e-mail with questions.

Distribution:
Selected Deep West Videos are screened at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, where producers will introduce their projects. Selected Deep West Videos are also installed in our Wiegand Exhibit Gallery at the Western Folklife Center and on our YouTube channel, and DVDs of selected films are for sale in our Gift Shop as well as at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

Deep West Video disclaimer
The Western Folklife Center reserves the right to include only selected works at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and on accompanying collections of Deep West Videos. All works are evaluated for content, authenticity, and production values.

Audio & Video
Radio What's in a Song Deep West Radio Documentaries Folk Economy Series The Open Road The 24 Hour Show Video Deep West Video Why the Cowboy Sings Capture Your Story Recordings Podcasts

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