They’re finally here! Yep, after receiving literally hundreds of incredible entries we finally have a winner for our Absinthe Films video editing competition. There were entries from people of all ages and abilities – from first time iMovie users to professional editors using a full-blown Avid set-up. The selection of insanely good videos below is just the tip of the iceberg. Literally the sheer number of people who took part pretty much blew our minds, so thank you all for taking the time!

The comp was, of course, judged by none other than Patrick ‘Brusti’ Armbruster – the man who, alongside his friend and business partner Justin Hostynek, has been responsible for ten years of classic Absinthe films. Here’s what he had to say about the comp:

“I was blown away by the submissions and effort all the entrants put into it! It’s great to see that snowboarding can inspire people to be creative in such totally different ways. There’s a lot of super-talented people out there, and each of them is very different. It’s almost unfair to pick one winner, especially when I see a film where certain aspects (like animations for example) which are on top of the game, but where other important factors that are necessary to fulfill the requirements of an intro (like song choice) not making the cut. I’m very impressed and want to thank Whitelines for putting on this great and different contest.

Here are my top ten. They all brought something noticeable to the table and will receive an Absinthe thank you package this fall including the new movie and T-shirts”

For those of you on this list, we’ll be in touch with you shortly about where Brusti can send those Absinthe goodie boxes. So here, without further ado, is the big man’s choices (in no particular order, apart form the top three) with his comments on each one.

The Top Ten

Eivind Hoimyr
Brusti’s comments: “Good song choice, but effects are too much and too repetitive.”

Adam Beasley
Brusti’s comments: “Very elaborate animations – nice sponsor logo presentation. Good editing and shot selection. But song feels like a part rather than an intro.”

Marcus Jungerstam
Brusti’s comments: “Good opening build up, I like the underground touch that was chosen – mystical feel – very Absinthe like! The song gives it the feel of a trailer rather than an intro though.”

James Green
Brusti’s comments: “An interesting approach with the idea of presenting the intro as a video game, but it doesn’t work for an intro. Very animation heavy.”

http://mpora.com/videos/YE2c9tLuu
Neverland Alternative Intro >>
Fresh-Ka
Brusti’s comments: “Insane intro animation of riders, really has its own touch and identity. Scratch-like editing is too repetitive though.”

http://mpora.com/videos/nt0QVWLbt
Neverland – Andrew Wilkinson >>
Andrew Wilkinson
Brusti’s comments: “Powerful track – could also be a part. Concept of Neverland animation at the beginning is great but is not carried through.”

http://mpora.com/videos/9G7naxmBK
More Snowboarding Videos >>
Fresh-Ka number 2
Brusti’s comments: “This is the opposite to an intro – feels like the ending of a movie.”

http://mpora.com/videos/kxbVXvY12
MPORA Action Sports >>
3rd Place – Tom a.k.a Lupo
Brusti’s comments: “Poor sponsor logo presentation but good editing and powerful track. Great rider name animations. Sponsor logos deserve more attention in the intro, especially when I see that the rider name animations are that well done! Good intro trackthough, good editing, nice touch on the ending with our logo!”

http://mpora.com/videos/dSRP81wng
MPORA Action Sports >>
2nd Place – Mr Timmy
Brusti’s comments: “Best concept! Nice playful sponsor presentation – cool concept of the train integration and switch to riders riding in the train wagon! Great. But after that it’s too much snowboarding for an intro. I was hoping to see some more of the concept carried throughout the entire intro. The music doesn’t build too much anticipation.”

http://mpora.com/videos/Rem7brz97
MPORA Action Sports >>
1st Place – Nick Light
Brusti’s comments: “Good build up, good riding selection, good editing. Like the rider presentation with a little section dedicated to each rider. Great intro feel. Sponsor logos deserved more love maybe.

The secret of an intro is finding the balance of packing all your information – sponsor logos/rider names/strong action without giving too much away – together and create the anticipation of what’s to come. So first and foremost it’s the song combined with the edit that will ultimately create this feel combined with your concept. In a second step you turn around your graphic idea that you developed matching the style of your piece. Despite the stale sponsor logos, Nick’s edit convinced, nice build up. Rider titles are simple but effective and clear.”

Congratulations Nick from all of us here at Whitelines! You killed it dude – can’t wait to see your entry on next year’s Absinthe DVD extras. And again, massive, massive thanks to everyone who entered.