#4 What Makes Us Human?
In this era of "all things AI," we have been examining qualities that make us uniquely human. We hope you will come along on this joint exploration, embracing our humanity with beauty, clarity, and conviction.
The Prompt
We all have influencers who shape our imagination and touch our art. If they are honorable - heroic - their voice can guide us to our purpose. (This is the distinction between heroes and villains).
Take Me to the Alley is Gregory Porter's ode to the way his mother Ruth taught him to see the world and engage in it, gravitating to “the ones who've lost their way.” Growing up, he would accompany her, “literally looking for people who were in trouble,” embattled by addiction or prostitution, not the people who had everything. "She would invite them in, share meals, have conversations and help them."
While Ruth was battling cancer, Gregory struggled to find his way after an injury ended his dream of pursuing professional football. He assured his mother that he would live “a safe and responsible life.” But before dying she told him to take a different path, towards his purpose, “Don’t forget about your music. It’s the best thing you do.”
Today, Gregory Porter is one of the world’s leading jazz and R&B artists. He fully recognizes the influence behind his success. "Much of what I sing comes from my mother's energy. Once I started to latch onto that, the roots of my being, is when my success started to happen."
As artists, how can we tune out negative influencers and set our imagination on those heroic voices who might take us to the alley and help shape our art?
We host quarterly competitions with $15,000 USD in prize awards:
1st place $6,000
2nd place $4,000
3rd place $3,000
*People’s choice* $2,000
*The public will determine the people’s choice prize by electronic voting
NEW DEADLINE: June 16th, 2024 7:00PM EST
We want the prompt to spark the imagination and not tell you what to do. If you need direction, consider these steps:
1.Read (The prompt)
2.Reflect (Take a walk, ponder, imagine)
3.Respond (Engage. Create art that relates to the prompt)
The target audience, tone, and medium is up to you – We look forward to receiving your entry!
The Rules
When is the deadline?
Our competitions are held quarterly (4 times per year)
Our next competition starts April 1st 2024. Submission deadline is June 16th, 2024 7:00PM EST. We welcome early submissions!
Who Can Enter?
We welcome all artists. Individuals or teams can apply. Prize money will be awarded per entry not per person.
What kinds of work can I submit?
If you can upload it, we accept it! We accept ALL kinds of media and arts including:
-Animation and Design
-Dance
-Fine Arts and Installation
-Music and Song
-Poetry and Prose
-Video and Photography
It should be:
ORIGINAL work that engages the prompt
Any licensed or stock material must be attributed
Works that have not been monetized on other platforms
Works that are no longer than five minutes
Do I need to identify AI and non-original work?
Yes, submissions that utilize AI-generated work must include identification/attribution
Yes, any non-original work must include license attribution.
How should my work be submitted?
You must be able to link your entry to a URL. Upload your work on a website or hosting service such as Vimeo, Dropbox, Google drive, portfolio, or any URL that is easily accessible and please make sure the link is public before submitting.
You can link your work straight to your portfolio. Just be sure the URL links straight to your submission, so it's easy for us to find.
Recommended format in a Google drive or dropbox folder:
– Artwork
– Cover art
– Artist statement: title, creative process, explanation on how your submission relates to the prompt; details if applicable (dimensions/medium)
How will my work be judged?
By our Be Still Media team that includes our team of incentivizors.
They will judge much like critics evaluate music, film, literature, etc.
They will consider the quality of the work based on how it impacts them (ie. creativity, storytelling).
They will consider how the idea responds to the prompt.
For more frequently asked questions visit our FAQ page.