Know your camcorder.

Learn what it can and can’t do. Get to know the controls. Actually read the manual.

Take the lens cap off.

Always record 5 seconds before and after the shot you want.

Cameras take a second or two to start up. Editing’s easier, too.

Shoot tons.

Get close-ups and wide shots. Get different angles. Get lots of shots. Choices are a videographer’s friend.

Use a tripod.

If you want a steady shot, stick your camera on a stand or brace yourself against a wall or something.

Don’t use a tripod...

if you want a realistic, documentary look.

Use an external microphone.

One that plugs into your camcorder. Hey, nothing ruins a video like bad audio. Except maybe bad lighting…

Turn on as many lights as you can.

Your commercial will look oh, so much better with the extra light.

Pretend that the camera isn't on.

Practice shooting with the camera in your hand near your hip—like you're just sort of resting it there. Put a bit of tape over the recording light. This could be your best, most natural stuff.

Save often if you’re editing on your computer.

Tag your commercial when you’re uploading so people can find it.

Use the following tags: Heinz, ketchup, top, this, TVChallenge. (YouTube will prompt you.)

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS YOU MAY NOT EVEN KNOW YOU HAD.

Can international consumers participate?

Heinz is new to this type of web-based contest and did not anticipate such an overwhelming response and interest from our international consumer base. Unfortunately, we are precluded by our legal watchdogs from changing the rules mid-contest. For now, it's America only. However, we have taken your feedback into account and will seriously consider an international contest next time around. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Okay, so how will my commercial be judged?

The 15 semi-finalists will be chosen by our esteemed panel of judges on the basis of their originality (40%), overall appeal (30%) and likelihood to motivate people to eat ketchup (30%).

After that, it’s up to America—and your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, old college roommates and random strangers you run into on the web.

How and when will I be contacted if, uh, when I win?

Semi-finalists will be notified by express mail after the judging is completed on or around August 13.

Grand prize and runner-up winners will be notified by express mail after the voting ends on or around September 10.

Can my two-year-old be in my commercial?

Anybody can be in your commercial as long as you have his or his legal guardian's permission—and can provide it in writing if we ask.

Can a group (family, fraternity, church group, Chinese checkers club) submit a commercial as a joint work?

Sure. Just pick one person to enter, agree to the rules and accept the prize on the group's behalf.

We are not responsible if said entrant absconds to Rio with the prize money—or for any arguments that may arise over divvying it up.

I’ve got some questions about the rights to my commercial.

Busted! You didn’t read the Official Rules. You really should—it’s all there.

What format should my commercial be in? By the way, what’s a format?

A format is the sequence and structure of frames that create a moving video image. Well, you asked.

You’ll be uploading your commercial to YouTube, and they happily accept the following formats: MOV, MPEG, WMV and AVI. Just follow YouTube's Uploading Instructions.

How do I submit my commercial anyway?

We'll start accepting commercials on April 16.  There's a two step submission process.

1. Upload your commercial to YouTube on the Top This TV Challenge contest page. (It goes live on April 16.)
2. Go to Submit Your Video and fill out the registration form. (It also goes live on April 16.)

SAVE YOUR ORIGINAL FILES. YouTube will compress your commercial for the web. We’ll need an uncompressed copy to show on TV if you win.

I'm having serious trouble uploading. Can somebody help me?

For uploading and other technical issues, contact the YouTube Help Center.

I've uploaded my commercial to the contest page, but it's not showing up yet - why?

YouTube has its own approval process to review videos before they go live to the public. In addition, our team of experts look at every commercial before it is made viewable on the contest page. Please be patient - if you followed the rules, it should show up shortly.