Awards   |   Previous Winners   |   Tips & Tricks   |   FAQs   |   Rules   |   Submit   |   Deadlines   |   Store   |   Community Calendar

Q: How does Mystery Build work?

A: * Purchase a Mystery Build Kit and complete a Registration Form at www.mysterybuild.com

     * Save the unique Username and Password found in your Mystery Build Kit.

     * Create an original work of art using ONLY the materials provided in the kit. You may use as many or as few of the materials in the kit as you like and you may use the Mystery Build tin (container) itself.  You may not use the cardboard box or container that your kit was shipped in. Entrants who purchase a Gold Edition Kit may not use the DVD or T-Shirt as materials.You may add liquids such as paint, varnish, lacquer, oil, dye, ink, or similar liquids to decorate or enhance the Entry.

     * Complete a Submission Form at www.mysterybuild.com

     * Submit photographs and/or videos of your Entry and a description of your process before the submission deadline. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and by online Public Voting.

Q: What can I win? What are the Prizes?

A: There are over $10,000 in cash Prizes.

Grand Prize : $5,000

2nd Place : $1,000

3rd  Place : $750

4th Place : $500

5th Place : $250

6th Place : $250

7th Place : $250

The People's Choice Award (Public Voting Winner): $1000

Mystery Build Prize Drawing : $1000

Bonus Awards:

Winning Entrants who meet the following criteria will receive an additional Bonus Award.

The Entry is kinetic or has numerous moving parts: $250

The Entry is in the form of a stop motion animation: $250

The Entrant submits a photograph or video of the Mystery Build Entry or Mystery Build Kit with a celebrity listed in the IMDb: $250

The Entry reflects a movie starring our Mystery Celebrity: $250

Mystery Build Prize Packs: The top 100 entries will receive a Prize Pack including a Mystery Build T-shirt

Nationwide exposure -Winning entries will be displayed on Mystery Build websites and promotions.

 

Q: How are the winners chosen?

A: An independent, qualified panel of judges will judge all eligible Entries received based on the following criteria:

    * Creativity  - The originality of the Entry and creative use of the materials provided. Is the Entry unique? Does it show an imaginative use of the materials?

    * Relevance to the Theme – How effectively the Entry expresses the Theme – Favorite Movie. Entrants may interpret the contest's theme any way they wish. Is it clear to others that the Entry relates to a movie, character, prop, movie going experience, or other concept relevant to a movie or movies?

    * Execution – Quality of technique and how well the Entrant presents the work in the photos or video submitted. Is the Entry well constructed? Does it show skill, talent, or craftsmanship?

 

Q: What is the Theme of the contest?

A: What's Your Favorite Movie? You may interpret the theme in any way you wish. Perhaps your Entry reflects a character, prop, scene, or line of dialogue. Be creative!

Q: Who is eligible to enter the Contest?

A: Contest is only open to legal residents of the U.S. and D.C. Contestants must be 18 years of age and older to receive cash prizes. Contestants under the age of 18 must have an adult who is 18 or older complete the Submission Form.

Q: When can I enter the Contest?

A:  Enter anytime between 12/01/11 and 9/16/12 (submission deadline)

Q: Can I work with a friend or a group on my entry?

A: Yes. You may enter as an individual, team, group, or class

Q: Where can I buy a kit?

A: You can order a kit online at  www.mysterybuild.com or purchase a Kit from a Mystery Build distributer or from one of our sales representatives. You may also email sales@mysterybuild.com and we will make arrangements to get you a kit.

Q: When can I buy a Mystery Build Kit?

A:  The Mystery Build Sales Period starts on 12/01/11 and ends on 8/31/12.        

Q: How many times can I enter the Contest? How many kits can I buy?

A: Enter as many times as you would like up to the submission deadline. The contents of multiple Mystery Build Kits may not be combined in a single Entry. Enter only one (1) creation per Mystery Build Kit. Enter using the unique Username and Password found in your Mystery Build Kit.

Q: What are the Entry requirements?

A: * Entrants must create an original work of art or creative piece around the contest's theme using ONLY the materials provided in the Mystery Build Kit. Entrants are not required to use all of the materials in the Mystery Build Kit. Entrants may not add any additional, alternate, or substitute materials to their Entry (with the exception of liquids as described below). Entrants may use the Mystery Build tin (container) itself, but MAY NOT USE ANY SHIPPING MATERIALS (such as the cardboard shipping box/container or shipping stickers/plastic sleeves) as elements of their Entries.

    * The Entry must relate to, convey, or express the theme of the Mystery Build Contest, "Your Favorite Movie"

    * Entrants will upload unaltered photographs and/or videos (Follow directions at www.mysterybuild.com) of the Entry to the contest website at www.mysterybuild.com. Entrants must complete a Mystery Build Contest Submission Form at  www.mysterybuild.com, including their assigned unique Username and Password, the title of their Entry, a description of the Entry, and the techniques used to create it.  The Contest Submission Deadline is 9/16/12 at 12:59 p.m. ET.

….* Entrants must submit one (1) photograph or video of the finished Entry to be used for official judging and in the Public Voting Gallery.

.* Entrants must submit at least five (5) additional photographs of the Entry in progress that clearly show that the Entry was created using only the materials in the Mystery Build Kit. A video clearly showing the process of the Entry's creation may be submitted in place of the 5 photographs.

        * Entrants may purchase multiple Mystery Build Kits and enter multiple times, however the contents of multiple Mystery Build Kits MAY NOT be combined into a single Entry. Entrants may only enter one (1) Entry per Mystery Build Kit (with unique Username and Password).

    * Entry must be an original work created solely by the Entrant. (Do NOT submit an entry not created by the individual or team listed on the Contest submission form.)

    * Entry may not include any third-party intellectual property or materials

    * Photos or videos submitted with an Entry must clearly show that 100% of the Entry is made from Mystery Build materials.

    * If the Entrant manipulates the materials in a very drastic manner (such as burning), and it is not reasonably perceptible that the materials used in the Entry are components of the provided Mystery Kit, the Entrant may be required to provide evidence (photographic or other) of the technique or process used.

    * Photographs and videos must be an accurate representation of the Entry and may not be substantively digitally altered. Entries may be disqualified if they include special effects or other digital treatments that enhance or alter the appearance of the physical Entry (such as alterations in Photoshop)

Q: How do I submit my Entry?

A: Fill out a Submission Form at www.mysterybuild.com. Upload one photo or video of your finished Entry for judging and voting. Upload an additional 5 photos (or one video) of the work in progress, clearly showing that the Entry was created from the materials in the Mystery Build Kit.

Q: How many photos do I submit?

A: You can only submit one photo or video of your finished Entry to be used for judging and voting.  In addition,  a minimum of 5 photographs of your ENTRY IN PROGRESS are required. You may submit a video of the work in progress instead of the 5 photos.

Q: Can I photograph my Entry in an environment, place, or with a background?

A: Yes. You may choose to place your creation in an environment for purposes of presentation. The background should not be a major component of you Entry, and should not take focus away from the Entry. For example, if you create a sculpture of a boat, you may choose to photograph it by a lake. Backgrounds and environments will not be considered part of the Entry for prize judging.

Q: When does the Contest end? When is the submission deadline?

A: Entry submissions are due by 9/16/12 at 12:59 p.m. ET. Submissions Forms and instructions are on-line at www.mysterybuild.com. Early submissions will be rewarded with 10 additional Prize Drawing Tickets for every month they are submitted before the submission deadline.

Q: What materials are in the Kit?

A: The contents of the Kit are a mystery at the time of purchase, but each Kit is identical. There are a wide variety of materials in the Kit, but everything is easy to use and nothing is dangerous. The Gold Edition Kits also contain a Tips and Tricks- "Solving the Mystery" DVD and Mystery Build T-Shirt voucher. Other than the T-Shirt and DVD, the contents of the Silver Edition and Gold Editions are identical.

Q: Does every Mystery Kit contain the same materials?

A: Yes. Every effort has been made to insure that each Mystery Kit is identical. The Sponsor cannot be held accountable for variations from Kit to Kit. If something is missing from your Kit we will send you a replacement free of charge. The Gold Edition Kits also include a Tips and Tricks DVD and Mystery Build T-shirt voucher.

Q: Can I use materials not included in the kit to build my Entry? Can I add materials?

A: A: No, with the exception of liquids. You can only use what is in the kit to build your Entry. In addition to the Kit you may up to 6 oz. of paint, varnish, lacquer, food coloring, oil, dye, ink, or similar liquids to decorate or enhance the Entry. Liquids may not be used for structural elements or as glue, but may only be used as a surface enhancement. Judges will have final ruling on use of liquids. Water may be used in any amount to manipulate the materials and does not count towards your 6 oz allotment of liquids, if the water is allowed to evaporate. In examples such as plaster, added water evaporates and will be considered a tool rather than an added material. You may not add any materials to your sculpture that are not included with the Kit. No substitutions or additions of other similar or identical materials. You may use the Mystery Build tin itself but you may not use the cardboard shipping box/container that your Mystery Build Kit was shipped in, or any other materials related to shipping such as stickers or plastic sleeves.

Q: Can I buy multiple Kits and combine the contents of the Kits into a single Entry?

A: No. Each creation you enter must be made from a single Kit with a unique Username and Password.

Q: Can I make more than one Entry from a single Kit?

A: You may only enter one creation per Mystery Build Kit.

Q: Do I have to use everything in the Kit?

A: No. You may choose to use anything in the Kit and the Mystery Build tin itself,  but you are not required to use all of the materials. You may not add any materials to your Entry that are not included with the Kit. No substitutions or additions of similar or identical materials.

Q: Can I use the cardboard box that the Mystery Kit was shipped in?

A: No. You may not use the outer shipping box/container or any stickers or other materials associated with the shipping company. You may use the Mystery Build tin itself.

Q: What tools can I use to build my Entry?

A: You may use any tools you want to manipulate the materials in your Kit and create your Entry. Some examples of tools you might use are scissors, saw, file, drill, threading needle, hole punch, microwave, laser, etc. You may not use tools that add material to the Entry such as a stapler, which would add staples, or a soldering operation, which would add solder. If you manipulate materials in a very drastic manner (such as burning) and it is not reasonably perceptible that the materials are components of the provided Mystery Kit, you may be required to provide evidence (photographic or other) of your technique.

Q: Can I paint my Entry or elements of my Entry?

A: Yes. You may add paint, varnish, lacquer, ink, dye or similar coatings to decorate or enhance your creation. Avoid building up areas of very thick paint, as our judges may rule that the paint was used as a construction material rather than a decorative enhancement.

Q: Can I use water?

A: Yes. Because water evaporates it is normally considered a tool rather than an added material.

Q: How do you know if my materials are from a Mystery Build Kit?

A: We can't tell you that! Entrants agree to reasonably preserve the Entry through Grand Prize and People's Choice Award notification in the event Mystery Build requires in person verification of adherence to these official rules.

Q: What do I do if I am not sure my Entry or technique is breaking the rules?

A: Email us at  info@mysterybuild.com and we will answer any of your questions. If you manipulate materials in a very drastic manner (such as burning) and it is not reasonably perceptible that the materials are components of the provided Mystery Kit, you may be required to provide evidence (photographic or other) of your technique.

Q: How will I know if I was a winner in the contest?

A: Potential winners will be notified by email, telephone or mail after 10/19/12.            .

Q: When will I get my Prize?

A: Prizes will be distributed on or about 10/19/12.     

Q: When are the winners selected?

A: Judging begins on 9/24/12. The Prize Winners will be announced on 10/19/12.

Q: Can I make changes to an Entry after I've submitted it?

A: No. Once your Entry is submitted, you may not edit your submission

Q: How does Public Voting work?

A: Public Voting opens on 9/23/12 and ends on 9/30/12. Go online to www.mysterybuild.com and follow the instructions to view and vote for Entries. Limit 1 vote per person/email address/IP address per day. You cannot vote for your own Entry. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same email address.

Q: Can I vote for my own Entry?

A: No. But you can encourage your friends and family to vote!

Q: Will I be notified when my Entry is added to the Mystery Build Public Voting Gallery?

A: Entrants will not be notified.

Q: My Entry is posted in the Mystery Build Public Voting Gallery, does that I mean I won?

A: No, entries posted in the Gallery are eligible for judging and Public Voting.

Q: How does the Prize Drawing work?

A: The winner of the Mystery Build Prize Drawing will be randomly selected from the pool of Mystery Build Prize Drawing Ticketholders and will receive $1000. Free Prize Drawing Tickets can be earned by participation in the Mystery Build contest as well as through Mystery Build promotional activities and events.

Q: How do I get Prize Drawing Tickets?

A:   * Entrants will be awarded 5 Prize Drawing Tickets for purchasing a Mystery Build Kit. Entrants must register their Mystery Build Kit at www.mysterybuild.com to claim their 5 Prize Drawing Tickets. Entrants that purchase a Mystery Build Gold Edition Kit will be awarded 10 Prize Drawing Tickets.

    * Entrants will earn Prize Drawing Tickets for early submission to the Mystery Build Contest. Entrants will be awarded 10 Prize Drawing Tickets for every calendar month they submit their Entry before the contest entry deadline.

    * Participants in the Mystery Build Contest will be awarded 5 Prize Drawing Tickets for participating in the Mystery Build Refer-a-Friend Program. Each Mystery Build Kit contains a unique Username. Entrants will be awarded 5 Prize Drawing Tickets each time their Username appears on a valid Mystery Build Registration Form.

* Join the Mystery Build Network at www.mysterybuild.net and be awarded 5 Prize Drawing Tickets.

   * Additional opportunities for earning Prize Drawing Tickets may be introduced by Mystery Build at any time during the contest period. Such opportunities will be announced on  www.mysterybuild.com,  www.mysterybuild.net, or other Mystery Build websites such as Facebook (www.facebook.com/mysterybuild) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/MysteryBuild).

Q: Who is the Mystery Celebrity?

A: Look for clues on our websites...

Q: Do I pay shipping and handling when I order a Kit?

A: Yes. Shipping charges will be added.

Q: I still have questions, who can I contact?

A: Send an email to  info@mysterybuild.com