Animation Tools:
List of 7 Free Tools: http://mashable.com/2010/10/27/create-animations-online/
http://www.freemake.com/blog/jibjab-make-a-funny-video-with-your-face-on-a-dancing-body/ (just allows substitution of head on dancing body from selection of videos, likely not adequate for contest videos)
http://domo.goanimate.com/studio (doesn't allow export to YouTube, and likely not to Vimeo either)
http://www.ezvid.com/how_to_make_a_funny_video (records what is played on screen to allow capture of a sequence of existing clips, not really for creating new content; available for Windows only)
http://www.powtoon.com (allows placement (with exit and entry effects) of static images and words on screen and selection of background music or original voiceover, exportable to YouTube)
Software for more indepth (time consuming) animations
http://www.blender.org/ * -- latest release May 7 2013 (v2.67), sophisticated software, requires "openGL compatible graphics card," open source, variety export formats
http://www.daz3d.com/products/daz-studio/daz-studio-what-is-daz-studio/ -- seems usable, basic version is free, characters seem to cost extra
http://www.creatoon.com/-- CreaToon® is a powerful software solution for the PC to create 2D animation in the cut-out style, no further tech support or development, PC only, free, seems to be older technology.
Free (or low cost <$5) iPhone/iPad movie software
http://sloproapp.com/SloPro_-_60FPS_Slow_Motion_Video_for_iPhone_%26_iPad/SloPro_60FPS_Video_for_iPhone_4S.html - doesn't work with iOS6 but may be useful on older phones
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cinemafx-for-video/id378868519?mt=8-reviews suggest slow, no sound but seems current.
http://filmicpro.com/--advanced features, iPhone 5 & iPad
http://www.globaldelight.com/iphone/gameyourvideo/ - free, good reviews, widely compatible with iPhones/iPads, won a bunch of awards in 2012
https://itunes.apple.com/app/action-movie-fx/id489321253?mt=8 - add Hollywood effects to videos from iPhone/iPad, free
Examples of other types of videos other than xtranormal
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/8086a40dbf/the-day-the-data-diedloose-bruce-kerr-parody-of-don-mcleans-american-pie-from-bkerr3 - funny, easy to create, somewhat relavant, 4 mins long
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJPSOWJjWqo - not very exciting but demonstrates "white board" animation style, 4 mins long
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_uzUh1VT98 - "Librarians do Gaga", entertaining, 4 mins, demonstrates easy to make type of video with real people set to music with new words, not specific to data management, some people may not love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-dcelODFL0- 1 min advertisement for "Informatica", simple video format, not that exciting but demonstrates another video type, not sure if we want to include product advertisements as examples? Missed the ad part at the end. I think we have enough other to delete this. - SW
Ideas for stories
Alternatively, a movie could be about how good data management could change plot lines in contemporary classics. See http://www.information-management.com/photo_gallery/1_18/Fargo_data_management_fraud_ROI10020859-1.html for examples ... web site with scenarios, perhaps a resource for ideas about videos but not a resource for making videos, etc.