Where the Past Comes to Life

East Rock Films Video Essay Contest


This essay contest is in honor of Jack M. Kaplan (1939-2024), a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. One of his passions in life was entrepreneurship. He started several successful companies, wrote three books on the subject, and treasured teaching entrepreneurship, whether at New York University or Columbia University. He had a special connection with students. May his memory be a blessing.

Application Guidelines

To be eligible, you must be a senior in high school or freshman in college in the U.S. or Canada. Homeschooled students at the senior grade level may also apply.

Please describe a work of art that especially speaks to you. This could be, but is not limited to, a novel, poem, painting, sculpture, musical composition, song, dance, film, play, short story, nonfiction book, or documentary. What about this work inspires you?

In your video essay, please discuss:

1.

Why did you choose this work of art?

2.

What about the work of art most impresses you or captures your imagination?

3.

Tell us about the writer or artist who created it – what is your impression of him or her?

4.

What most stands out to you about this person’s life?

5.

Show us the work of art, or play a portion of the music, in your video - in whatever way you choose.

6.

Give your video essay a title.

Types of Eligible Essays

(please choose one)

1.

Create a video essay (about 3-10 minutes). Be creative! The video can take any form you like, possibly involve other people if you wish, so long as it answers the above questions. You must include the work of art in your video. If you are discussing:

  • a painting or sculpture, be sure to show us the work.
  • a song or piece of music, allow the music to play 30 seconds to a minute, using whatever visuals you choose. You can use YouTube if you wish.
  • a work of literature (i.e. novel, short story, play), you should read a portion that resonates with you, either on camera or as a voiceover to visuals.
  • a poem, if it is relatively brief, please read the whole poem either on camera or as a voiceover to visuals; a longer poem, read a stanza or two on camera or as a voiceover to visuals.

2.

Express yourself in a performance essay (about 3-10 minutes). Be imaginative! This video might take the form of an original poem, song, dramatic monologue, or dance performance that addresses the questions above, in whatever manner you choose.


Note: It is not required that you are on camera for the essay. You can express your points however you choose.

Expectations

The essay must be your own work. You are not allowed to use artificial intelligence (A.I.) and you should carefully avoid plagiarism.

Evaluation Criteria

We will evaluate your submissions based on creativity; quality of visual or verbal expression; organization; use of language; and insightfulness of essay.


As this is a video essay contest, not a video contest, technical elements such as lighting, sound, editing, etc. are factors we consider, but are not as central as the above criteria. We mainly want to hear your voice and perspectives!

Scholarship Award

We will choose three winners who will receive a scholarship of:

  • $500 First Prize
  • $250 Second Prize
  • $125 Third Prize


We may also name several Honorable Mentions and will publish those creative essays on this website. Winners must use these funds toward educational expenses.

Eligibility

Your intended area of study or co-study should be in the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences such as:
  • American Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Classics
  • Communications/Media Studies
  • Creative Writing
  • Dance
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • English
  • Filmmaking/Photography
  • Film Studies
  • French Language / Literature
  • Geography
  • History
  • Humanities
  • Jewish Studies
  • Journalism
  • Linguistics
  • Literature/Comparative Literature
  • Music
  • Near Eastern Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Romance Languages;
  • Russian Language and Literature
  • Sociology
  • Spanish Language and Literature
  • Theater/Performance Studies

You must agree to use the award money toward educational expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, applying to schools, etc.

Submission Dates

The creative essay contest will be open for submissions from September 15 - November 15, 2025.


Important: Any submissions before or after this date will not be considered.


The award winners will be announced several weeks later and will be notified by email. The awards will be sent in January, and can be used for the spring, summer, or fall semesters.



How To Submit

With any creative essay, please include:

Your full name

High school or college you attend

City and state/province /territory where you live

What major you are planning to study in college and why

Main email address

How you heard about this contest

Video or Performance Essay

Please share your video on Google Drive. Be sure to give full access to [email protected] to view and download. Make sure “Notify people” is clicked. In your message when sharing the file, please include the requested information specified above. File name should be last name of submitter _ name of work. So if John Smith makes a video on the painting the “Mona Lisa,” his file should be called “Smith_Mona Lisa.mp4”

Please note that your creative essay need not be exclusive.

You can use it for any other purpose or contest, and your essay may be adapted from an assignment or report for school or college.

Questions

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]. We look forward to receiving your creative video or performance essay!