Deke's Techniques: The Three Challenges

We're on a quest to discover the best techniques. For each of three contests, we'll choose a set of finalists and a Grand Prize winner. All stand to win a treasure trove of subscriptions, software and hardware prizes valued at over $25,000. Plus the top submissions will be reviewed by our panel of illustrious judges. Your job is to submit a short video tutorial, under 10 minutes long, detailing your technique. Read the submission guidelines, check the deadlines, follow the rules, and enter today. You may be among the top three winners!

The Three Challenges (in the order they will occur)

Week 1, The Photoshop Challenge The Photoshop Challenge
Begins: July 17, 2012
Ends: July 31, 2012
1 Grand Prize winner, 2 finalists

Make a movie that documents a great Photoshop technique and cite at least three Deke's Techniques that inspired you on your way (or are at least loosely related). Videos will be judged on the quality of the technique, the quality of the presentation, and general watchability. It's time to show the rest of us what you got.
Week 2, The Illustrator Challenge The Illustrator Challenge
Begins: July 31, 2012
Ends: August 14, 2012
1 Grand Prize winner, 2 finalists

Got a great Illustrator technique? Or perhaps you know a great way to use Illustrator and Photoshop in tandem with each other. Either way, we're ready to be amazed. Record that technique as a movie, cite three related Deke's Techniques, fill out the submission form, and you'll be on your way.
Week 3, Anything Goes Anything Goes
Begins: August 14, 2012
Ends: August 28, 2012
1 Grand Prize winner, 3 finalists

Create a technique using any software or combination of software you like. How do you cite three Deke's Techniques as reference when all I use is Photoshop and Illustrator? Remember, "loosely related." Got a Maya technique? I have more than three Deke's Techniques that employ 3D, so you're golden!