Let us not forget the purpose of this project: We are making a surf movie here. 

What you are about to begin judging are similar to audition tapes — the raw material from which a future DVD section will be created. After we whittle this Round down to our five favorites, these surfers and filmmakers will go back to work improving their sections. New waves. New vibe. New song. Whatever it takes. 

During the first week of judging, you will be Rating all these sections on a 1-10 scale.

You may change your 1-10 rating at any time, but it sill only counts as one rating on the surfer's over-all average. Use the Comments to point out things to other Members that you think might be of relevance, and also just to make your opinion known. 

In selecting the Top Ten, we will factor together Average Rating, Number of Views, Member Comments, and our own read on the section's potential. 

Here are a few questions to be asking of a section when creating your personal 1-10 scale:

RAW TALENT: Does the surfer inspire us? Is he on the cutting edge? With six months left to collect clips, is this thing just gonna go mental?

STYLE: Is this a surfer I want to watch again and again?

EFFORT: What did the surfer put into this submission? And what does that say about what he'll put into his final effort? 

CREATIVITY: Was the section entertaining, either through just the surfing or the editing overall package of song and concept? This is just for enjoyment, right?

VIBE: We don't need to tell you what you like. Pick that...we'll fix the rest later. 

Think of yourself as the director of this film. There's some tough decisions to make, but in the end, it's all about making a movie you can't wait to watch. —NM