Universal Pictures ‘Sing’ YouTube Karaoke Contest Will Fly Three Winners to L.A. for Digital Workshop
Aspiring YouTube singing stars, grab your mics: Universal Pictures has teamed with the Google-owned video site for a contest tied to “Sing,” Illumination Entertainment’s animated jukebox musical movie, that will fly three winners to Los Angeles for a daylong workshop on creating a successful YouTube channel.
In addition, entrants in the studio’s “Real Talent, From Real Life” contest will get a chance to be featured in a special music video mashup that will be posted on the YouTube homepage next month.
To enter, contestants must upload a video of themselves singing, clapping or dancing to at least 30 seconds of the film’s original song “Faith,” performed by Stevie Wonder featuring Ariana Grande. From the fan entries, YouTube creator and singer Mike Tompkins — known for his a cappella covers and original songs — will create an edited video of “Faith” that will play on YouTube’s homepage on Dec. 16, ahead of the theatrical bow of “Sing” on Dec. 21.
The three winners of the “Sing” contest will each get two round-trip plane tickets to L.A., plus hotel accommodations for themselves and a guest for three nights (a prize valued at $2,400, according to Universal). On Dec. 15, they’ll be hosted at the “Next Rising Star” digital development workshop at YouTube Space LA, with the opportunity to meet top YouTube influencers, Universal Music Group execs, and YouTube and Google product specialists.
The promo is aimed at building awareness for “Sing,” the sixth animated feature from Illumination following this summer’s comedy smash “The Secret Life of Pets,” and previous hits like “Despicable Me” and “Minions.”
Featuring more than 65 songs, “Sing” stars Matthew McConaughey as a koala who cooks up a singing competition in an attempt to save his overextended theater. The movie’s voice cast that includes Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly. The film is produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborator Janet Healy, and written and directed by Garth Jennings (“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”).
The deadline for entries in the “Real Talent, From Real Life” contest is Nov. 30. The contest is open to U.S. residents age 13 and older, but those under 18 must have a parent or guardian’s consent. Universal says winners will be selected by a panel of judges using the following criteria weighted equally: vocal talent; energy and passion of performance; diversity in musical interpretation; charisma; and potential chemistry with other entrants.
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