Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Original.

The Shot is Canada’s only artist competition that focuses solely on a performer’s original music. While other competitions and artist development platforms encourage music creators to perform covers of chart-topping or recognizable tunes, The Shot believes in providing aspiring talent with the opportunity to showcase their own work in order to hone their craft, build a genuine fan base and be true to who they are as singer-songwriters.

· BE SURE TO RECORD AN INTRODUCTION to introduce yourself before the performance of your song!
· Shoot your video in a bright/well-lit setting. We want to be able to see you!
· Do not use auto-tune apps like Smule or StarMaker.
· Do not submit GoogleDrive links, Dropbox links, iCloud link or links to Instagram videos.
· Check your video before submitting it and make sure the audio can be heard clearly.
· You are welcome to sing with a backing track as long as we can hear your voice clearly.
· Do not submit a highly edited video, sizzle reel, or video with highly processed vocals.

Do I have to be a Canadian citizen to apply?
Yes. Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

Does this air on TV?
It certainly feels and looks like it could be a television show, but no it is not a television show. However, The Shot is filmed and does streams online as a web series.

Are you only looking for original music?
Yes. We would like artists to only perform their own original music throughout the competition, including for their demo video.

Can I use the same demo video I sent in last year?
A lot can change in a year. We’d prefer that you submit a new video if you can.

Did you receive my demo video? When will I hear back about my video?
Due to the large volume of submissions, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of individual videos that were submitted. Every video received is reviewed, but ONLY if you have been selected to participate will a Producer call you to schedule your appearance for the next round of the competition. This will probably take place sometime in Spring of 2021.

Will I receive feedback from someone about my video demo?
Due to the large volume of submissions, we are unable to provide feedback on individual demo videos.

What happens if I am selected to move on to the next round?
If you are selected by the Producer to perform for our judges, you will receive an email in Spring 2021.

If I am selected to move to the next round, will I be asked to attend any event in-person?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was held exclusively virtually. We continue to monitor changes to local, provincial and federal rules for group number allowances. We anticipate that the next season will also be virtual.

Who are the judges?
The judges for next season in 2021 are yet to be announced but we pride ourselves on having a diverse panel from a variety of backgrounds from across the music business including professional songwriters, publishers, radio personalities, producers, managers and established singer-songwriters who can bring value to an artist’s experience participating in The Shot and to the artist’s music career after The Shot. Past judges have included country singer-songwriter Jessie T, Rick Barker (former manager to Taylor Swift), Danya Dixon (CEO of Canadian Music Week), international Flamenco guitarist Juneyt Yetkiner and country music recording artist Stacey Zegers.

If a portion of the season is held in-person, do I have to pay for my own travel, expenses, and accommodations?
Yes. Travel, meals and accommodations are at the sole expense of the artist unless otherwise advised by the Producer.

Why is there a fee to submit my demo video?
As a not-for-profit organization, applying fees to the video submission process helps us to cover overhead costs related to the production of The Shot. The fee to submit a video is the only cost associated with participating in the program. The submission fee also helps us to know that the artist has “skin in the game” and is committed to their participation.

Are there any hidden fees?
No. There are no additional costs outside the initial video submission fee. You will not receive a bill or invoice for any of the services or consultations provided during the process.

Will I be required to sign any kind of contract or agreement if I advance passed my demo video?
Yes. You will be asked to sign a participant agreement prior to your audition for the judges. However, you will not be asked to sign a contract that ties you to any deal or that would give away ownership of your music.

I’m getting an error message when I try to submit my demo video. What should I do?
If you receive an error message when you try to submit your demo video, please check the credit card number and try again. If the problem persists, please contact us at [email protected].

Who runs The Shot?
The Shot is managed and produced by a group of music-loving volunteers and professionals who are dedicated to highlighting and showcasing amazing Canadian talent.

I can’t find the answer to my question here. Can I reach you by email?
Absolutely. General inquiries and questions can be sent to [email protected].