Make the Cut: Do You Have What It Takes?

Are you the next up-and-coming music video editing visionary?

Today, Adobe is launching our “Make the Cut” contest in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Premiere Pro. We’re offering you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cut a video for “Believer,” the new hit single by mega-band Imagine Dragons. In an industry first, Imagine Dragons is offering fans full access to their creative license so you can edit your version of the music video using Premiere Pro CC. The Grand Prize winner of the contest will receive $25,000.

The internet has changed the music landscape significantly over the past 20 years. Downloads and streaming services have increased access to music, with millions of songs right at our fingertips. But there is a downside, as evident by the royalty battles and piracy issues that abound, and musicians are rightfully protective of their intellectual property.

This makes our “Make the Cut” contest with Imagine Dragons all the more unprecedented. Imagine Dragons is giving their fans access to uncut footage from a leading music video director to cut and craft as they see fit, supporting and nurturing the creative community with the opportunity to create their own music video and, importantly, be recognized for their work.

Additionally, this is an opportunity for Adobe to celebrate the amazing work that our fans and budding video enthusiasts are creating. We understand that it’s not just about the tools; it’s about the 25-year relationship that we have built with our community. It’s our hope that over the next 25 years, we’ll continue to provide the resources and opportunities, like this contest, that challenge you to create and show what you do best.

Now, about the prizes. Submissions to the “Make the Cut” contest will be evaluated by a panel of luminary judges, who will select one ultimate winner to receive the $25,000 Grand Prize. Judges include members of the band, Academy Award winner Angus Wall, who edited films like Fight Club and Vinnie Hobbs, a music video editor who works with Kendrick Lamar and Kanye. We’ll also award bonus prizes of $1,000 each and a year-long Creative Cloud subscription for four special categories: Fan Favorite, Most Unexpected, Best Young Creator and Best Short Form. And one special bonus prize of $2,500, a year-long subscription to Creative Cloud and 25 Adobe Stock credits will go to the cut with the best use of supplied Adobe Stock clips.

For more information about the latest Adobe Creative Challenges that you can join in, visit: https://creativitytour.adobe.com/.