RULES & REGULATIONS

Dates

  • Submission Period: Jun 8th to Aug 13th, 2023 (PST)
  • Winner Announcement: Sep 14th, 2023 (PST)

Rules

  1. Participants are required to utilize Cartoon Animator 4 or Cartoon Animator 5 in the production of their videos. Know More about Cartoon Animator >
    *  If you don't have Cartoon Animator, you may obtain a Free Trial.
  2. Please upload your final video entry on YouTube or Vimeo.
    1. For the “Vertical Shorts” category, kindly upload the video on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels.
  3. The title of the video entries must start with the text: "Animation At Work 2023".
  4. The video description of the entries must include "Cartoon Animator link: https://www.reallusion.com/cartoon-animator/default.html"
    Additionally, please include these hashtags: #CartoonAnimator #Reallusion
  5. Share your work-in-progress (WIP) videos on YouTube or Vimeo to inspire fellow contestants! Animation at Work 2023 is also an educational opportunity.
    Please note that submissions without WIP videos will be disqualified. (The WIP video should demonstrate key steps in creating the animation using Cartoon Animator.)
  6. All entries must include the contest logo at the end of the video for a minimum duration of 3 seconds.
    Download Contest LOGO:

Submission Category & Video Length

Create an animated video commercial to promote a real-life or fictional concept, product, or service.
Video length: at least 1 minute
We invite graphic art designers who possess the ability to transform original static drawings, illustrative art, or comic images into captivating animations.
Video length: over 30 seconds
Utilize animated video for educational purposes, including storytelling, kids' songs, or instructional videos.
Video length: at least 1 minute
If you are using CTA5 to compete, incorporate secondary animations such as spring dynamics and free-form deformation.
Video length:Same as the duration specified for your submitted category.
Promote your brand with a unique character and demonstrate its animation using Cartoon Animator!
Video length: Same as the duration specified for your submitted category.
Create a short vertical 2D animation and upload it to YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. The video must have a minimum length of 15 seconds, at 1080x1920 resolution.
Video length: over 15 seconds
(size 1080*1920h)

Judging Criteria

Business & Commercial

  • 20%
    Artistic Expression
    • A persuasive and understandable storyline, with a tempo that makes people want to watch along with audio narrations, sound and visual effects.
  • 30%
    Character Creation
    • Participants are allowed to use existing characters and assets acquired from the Reallusion Content Store.
    • Original creations or significantly modified Content Store characters are preferred.
  • 30%
    Animation Skill
    • Demonstrate expertise in creating intricate facial expressions and talking animations with optimal mouth shapes.
    • Showcase distinctive body motion styles for characters and animations, emphasizing cartoon physics with smooth motion curves.
    • Exhibit the ability to create natural interactions with scenes, props, and other characters.
  • 20%
    WIP Video Submission
    • Participants are required to submit a work-in-progress video on YouTube or Vimeo, detailing the key steps involved in creating the animation.

Comics & Art Animation

  • 20%
    Artistic Expression
    • Showcase the ability to transform static images into captivating short stories or animated pieces.
    • Create engaging short trailers that portray rich character personalities and dramatization.
  • 30%
    Character Creation
    • Participants must create original character designs.
    • You are encouraged to provide concepts of your original designs.
  • 30%
    Animation Skill
    • Demonstrate expertise in creating intricate facial expressions and talking animations with optimal mouth shapes.
    • Showcase distinctive body motion styles for characters and animations, emphasizing cartoon physics with smooth motion curves.
    • Exhibit the ability to create natural interactions with scenes, props, and other characters.
  • 20%
    WIP Video Submission
    • Participants are required to submit a work-in-progress video on YouTube or Vimeo, detailing the key steps involved in creating the animation.

Education Animation

  • 20%
    Artistic Expression
    • Create a concise animation with a focus on topics such as education, science, the environment, sports, or any area of personal interest.
  • 30%
    Character Creation
    • Participants are allowed to use existing characters and assets acquired from the Reallusion Content Store.
    • Original creations or significantly modified Content Store characters are preferred.
  • 30%
    Animation Skill
    • Demonstrate expertise in creating intricate facial expressions and talking animations with optimal mouth shapes.
    • Showcase distinctive body motion styles for characters and animations, emphasizing cartoon physics with smooth motion curves.
    • Exhibit the ability to create natural interactions with scenes, props, and other characters.
  • 20%
    WIP Video Submission
    • Participants are required to submit a work-in-progress video on YouTube or Vimeo, detailing the key steps involved in creating the animation.

Best Use Of CTA5

  • 20%
    Artistic Expression
    • Same criteria specified for your submitted category.
  • 30%
    Character Creation
    • Same criteria specified for your submitted category.
  • 30%
    Animation Skill
    • Same criteria specified for you submitted category.
    • Please ensure the inclusion of secondary animations such as spring dynamics and free-form deformation.
  • 20%
    WIP Video Submission
    • Same criteria specified for your submitted category.

Best Animated Mascot

  • 20%
    Artistic Expression
    • Same criteria specified for your submitted category.
  • 30%
    Character Creation
    • Same criteria specified for your submitted category.
  • 30%
    Animation Skill
    • Same criteria specified for your submitted category.
  • 20%
    WIP Video Submission
    • Same criteria specified for your submitted category.

Vertical Shorts
(size 1080*1920)

  • 20%
    Artistic Expression
    • Create a short and captivating animation that will leave a lasting impression.
  • 30%
    Character Creation
    • Original character designs are required.
    • The characters need to be presented in a visually appealing manner to demonstrate their uniqueness.
    • You will be required to provide concepts of your original designs.
    • Complete character setups should include distinct facial expressions and appropriately rigged original body styles.
  • 30%
    Animation Skill
    • Demonstrate expertise in creating intricate facial expressions and talking animations with optimal mouth shapes.
    • Showcase distinctive body motion styles for characters and animations, emphasizing cartoon physics with smooth motion curves.
    • Exhibit the ability to create natural interactions with scenes, props, and other characters.
  • 20%
    WIP Video Submission
    • Participants are required to submit a work-in-progress video on YouTube or Vimeo, detailing the key steps involved in creating the animation.

Additional Rules & Perks

  • Less is more: We are striving for quality entries, therefore, only one submission is allowed per category and special prize. Each contestant can submit a maximum of four entries, with one entry per category.
  • How to compete for special awards:
    • Tick "Compete in Best CTA5 Feature" if your entry includes secondary animation.
    • Tick "Compete in Best Animated Mascot" if your entry features a unique character.
    • Tick "Compete in Best Student Animation" if you are a student.
  • Winners will be announced on the "Animation at Work" website and showcased on the Reallusion forum pages. Additionally, they will be notified via email regarding their achievement.
  • Winners will have the opportunity to be featured in prominent media outlets and may be offered interviews for additional exposure.
  • Winners will have the opportunity to be selected as featured developers or engage in outsourced projects to monetize their creations within the CTA community. Learn More >
  • Submitted videos may include footage from other videos or commercial clips for a media mash-up, but the submission must consist of at least 40% footage generated with Cartoon Animator.
  • Video entries can be submitted in any language; however, they MUST include English voice dubs or subtitles to ensure worldwide reception. Please note that this is an international competition.
  • Reallusion may request additional contact information for the purpose of prize delivery.
  • Reallusion reserves the right to cancel this competition at any stage if is deemed necessary due to circumstances beyond its control or if the number of participants fails to meet the minimum threshold set by Reallusion.
  • Winner announcements from Reallusion are deemed final. The judging panel decisions will be based solely on their overall evaluation, without any influence from popular votes or other factors.
  • By submitting an entry, participants acknowledge and certify that they have read and agreed to all the rules and requirements governing this event. Additionally, by submitting their videos, participants grant Reallusion permission to utilize their creative work in any future marketing events, advertising campaigns, or promotions organized by Reallusion.
  • Reallusion would like to emphasize that it does not benefit financially from this event. All Reallusion competitions are conducted in good faith, with the aim of fostering a healthy community based on sharing.
  • Reallusion staff members are not eligible to participate in the competition.