Contest Eligibility and Requirements
Q. What does it mean to be blind or partially sighted?
This contest defines vision loss as having visual acuity that does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye even with correcting lenses (20/200 means that a person must be 20 feet from an eye chart to see what a person with normal vision can see at 200 feet) or visual field extent of less than 20 degrees in diameter horizontally (normal visual field is 180 degrees).
As part of the audition process, prospective contestants will be asked to submit proof of their visual acuity, either in the form of a CNIB identity card or a medical practitioner’s report of the contestant’s best corrected visual acuity doctor’s note. Contestants who do not meet the visual acuity requirement are ineligible.
Q. Can people who are deafblind enter the contest?
Yes. People who are deafblind may have their intervener present to assist with interpretation during their video submission as well as the live finale (should they become selected as one of the top 10 finalists)
An intervener may interpret the lyrics of a song should the contestant enter a submission of them signing (this would be done at a time when it does not interfere with the performance). Lyrics may also be displayed on the stage or handed out to the audience.
Q. Why do I need a CNIB card? What if I can’t get one in time for the competition?
While a CNIB identity card is not a requirement for the audition phase of iFactor, CNIB encourages applicants to obtain one at their local CNIB location should they make the top 10 finalists group.
A CNIB identity card is generally required to comply with rules and regulations of our transportation partners. Contestants who do not obtain one will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Lake Joe for training camp and the live finale.
Q. What is the maximum size of video can I submit?
Contestants may submit video entries of 500 megabytes in size; the maximum time length is five minutes.
Q. When is the final submission deadline?
11:59:59 pm on Thursday, June 9, 2011. Entries that are mailed in must be post marked by May 21, 2011
Q. Will I be at a disadvantage if my video is less than five minutes?
No. CNIB opted to extend the length of the video submissions to help contestants showcase their musical talents to their maximum potential. Final judging will not be made on video length.
The Judging and Voting Process
Q. How does the judging work?
The top 10 selections will be made based on a 100 point system. The online public votes received will account for 50 points, while the remaining points will be determined by an independent panel of judges who are experts in the music industry.
The panel will be judging the contestants out of a possible 50 points on a number of criteria. These criteria include:
- musical talent
- originality
- audience appeal
- personal style
- stage presence
Q. Who does the judging?
The judging panel will be made up of renowned music industry professionals, to be announced at a later date.
Q. How do I vote?
The iFactor voting period runs from Monday, February 14, 2011 at 11:59:59 a.m. ET through Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 4:00:01 p.m. ET.
Members of the public can vote for their favourite submission online for the following fee: $1/vote or $20/50 votes. All proceeds will support CNIB’s essential programs and services.
Please visit our Rules and Regulations page for more details.
Q. How I market myself to get votes?
There are many ways you can market yourself to earn the public’s vote. You can direct your friends, family and others to our website, www.theifactor.ca, and encourage your networks to check out CNIB’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/cnib for regular updates.
Q. How will I know if I’ve made it to the Top 10?
Contestants selected as part of the Top 10 will be notified through the contact information contestants provide as part of the submission process (phone or email) between June 15 and June 20, 2011.
While we will make every attempt to contact the Top 10 Contestants, if we do not receive a response by June 20, the spot will be given to the next person on the list. This is why it’s important for you to tell us the best way to reach you during this time period.
The iFactor Experience
Q. Can I bring my own band to help me in the live finale?
To ensure an even playing field, CNIB will provide a house band to all of the Top 10 Contestants for rehearsals and their live performance.
Q. What does training camp include?
The Top 10 Contestants who are selected from online voting and a panel of judges travel from across the country to participate in Training Week, a critical component of The iFactor event. During five days of extensive training, contestants receive:
- Professional music coaching with industry experts
- Orientation and mobility training
- Voice coaching and stage presence training
- Media training and industry tips
- Sound checks, rehearsals and live performance with a house band on a professional style performance stage
- CNIB’s specialized programs designed to assist those with vision loss live independently
Q. Can I bring my own trainers and coaches?
No. To maintain the integrity of the competition and ensure an even playing field for all participants, the only trainers and coaches permitted are those provided by CNIB.
Q. What should I bring to training camp?
- Clothing
- Swim Suit
- Shorts, Pants
- Shirts
- Undergarments
- Sweatshirt, Jacket
- Hats
- Socks
- Rain Gear (if desired)
- Sleepwear
- Shoes, Sandals
- Miscellaneous Items
- Flashlight
- Bugs Spray, Sun Screen
- Camera
- Medications
- Toiletries
- Towels for use at the Waterfront
- Spending Money for the Tuck Shop, Snack Bar and Off-sites
- Water bottle, Coffee Mug or Travel Mug
Q: What Lake Joe Will Provide?
- Fully accessible cabin equipped with accessible washroom and shower facilities
- Rooms will be cleaned periodically throughout the week, garbage will be removed daily. If you would like daily room cleaning, it can be arranged for an extra charge.
- Bedding – Clean Linens will be on beds upon arrival, for multi week guest’s linens will be changed once a week.
- Top Sheet, Bottom Sheet, Comforter, One Pillow
- Towels for Showering
Q: What to Leave at Home?
- Weapons (knives, axes, etc.)
- Camping equipment
- Drugs
- Pets
- Stereos and Computers
- Nuts and Nut Products
Q. What are the dates for training camp?
Training camp for the Top 10 finalists begins August 14, 2011 and ends on August 21, 2011.
Q. What happens if I win?
If you’re the lucky winner of this year’s iFactor you’ll receive:
- Round trip transportation, food and hotel accommodation for two to a city in Canada
- An opportunity to perform as the opening act for Terry Kelly, award-winning Juno nominee and singer-songwriter at a concert of Terry’s selection
- Be presented with the Joe Finley Award of Excellence
- CNIB will endeavor to secure studio time to record a demo
- CNIB performance opportunities across the country will be provided throughout the year, schedule to be determined
CNIB will also arrange for media interviews in the days following the finale so you can share your story and raise your profile. In this instance, CNIB will make alternative travel arrangements for the iFactor Winner and their companion.
About Lake Joe
For more information about CNIB, Lake Joseph Centre visit www.cnib.ca/lakejoe
Q. What is Lake Joe?
Lake Joe is a vacation and rehabilitation site for individuals that are blind or partially sighted where they have an opportunity to try new experiences and make new friends in a warm and inclusive environment that believes in trying and not excluding.
Q. Where is Lake Joe?
CNIB Lake Joe Centre is located on beautiful Lake Joseph in MacTier, Ontario just one hour North of Barrie and one half hour South of Parry Sound.
Address: 4 CNIB Road off of old Highway 69
Q. What are the accommodations like?
There are six guest cabins each with eight guest rooms off of a long corridor. Each room consists of two single beds, shelving, an ensuite washroom containing a mirror, toilet, sink, and shower.
Lake Joe grounds, buildings and rooms are fully accessible for individuals of all abilities. With the exception of the Nature Trail that contains some stairs, and half of the guest rooms have wheelchair accessible showers.
Miscellaneous
Q. How can I donate to iFactor?
For more details about sponsorship, please visit www.theifactor.ca/en/sponsors.aspx