HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PRODUCTION
PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES
Note: The same material may not be entered in more than one programming category.
HS01. Newscast-
For outstanding achievement in a newscast, produced live,” daily or less than daily, but broadcast, streamed or otherwise distributed as a “live” program. Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of breaks. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time Limit: 30 minutes
HS02. News: General Assignment – Serious News
For outstanding reporting achievement in a presentation of timely news, information and current events. Entries may contain spot news coverage, investigations and feature stories on any newsworthy subject. Coverage of controversial issues is welcome. Entries will be judged on the basis of editorial content and pictorial coverage, which demonstrates awareness of broadcast journalistic standards including accuracy and fairness. Judges will particularly look for well-organized material paying close attention to clearly written narration and appropriate sound bites. Preference will be given to individual pieces demonstrating reporting and field production. In-studio set-up or anchor link work will not be considered as an asset unless it materially contributes to the editorial content of the individual report. Time Limit: 10 minutes
HS03. News: General Assignment – Light News
For outstanding reporting achievement in a presentation of timely news, information and current events. Entries may contain spot news coverage and feature stories on any newsworthy subject. Entries will be judged on the basis of editorial content and pictorial coverage, which demonstrates awareness of broadcast journalistic standards including accuracy and fairness. Judges will particularly look for well-organized material paying close attention to clearly written narration and appropriate sound bites. Preference will be given to individual pieces demonstrating reporting and field production. In-studio set-up or anchor link work will not be considered as an asset unless it materially contributes to the editorial content of the individual report. Time Limit: 10 minutes
HS04. Arts and Entertainment/Cultural Affairs
For outstanding reporting achievement in a presentation of content devoted to cultural or artistic significance, or a compilation of up to three unedited pieces. Time Limit: 10 minutes.
HS05. Music Video
For outstanding achievement in replication, reinterpretation or original material in a music video. Judges will evaluate content, creativity and execution. (Use of copyrighted material is prohibited without written approval.) Time Limit: 5 minutes
HS06. Magazine Program
For outstanding achievement in a program consisting of various stories of regional interest, usually on current events or entertainment in a format that often includes interviews and interspersed with links by presenters who appear in the reports. Could cover “pre-produced” or “recorded and edited” morning announcements. Designed to entertain and inform. Judges will look at the overall content, creativity and execution of the entire program as a complete product. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
HS07. Long Form
For outstanding achievement in a presentation of a long-form treatment of a single subject. Subject matter can include (but is not limited to) investigations, examinations of social issues, personal relationships, sports lifestyles, music, performing arts, entertainment, fashion and historical retrospectives. Dramatizations or student originated soap operas or plays are permitted. Content creativity and execution will be important elements in judging the entries. Judges will particularly look for well-organized material, paying close attention to clearly written narration and appropriate sound bites. Time Limit: Minimum 10 minutes – maximum 30 minutes. If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time.
HS08. Short Form
For outstanding achievement in a presentation of a short-form treatment of a single subject. Subject matter can include (but is not limited to) investigations, examinations of social issues, personal relationships, sports lifestyles, music, performing arts, entertainment, fashion and historical retrospectives. Content creativity and execution will be important elements in judging the entries. Judges will particularly look for well-organized material, paying close attention to clearly written narration and appropriate sound bites. Time Limit: Up to 10 minutes.
HS09. Sports
For outstanding achievement in a presentation or compilation of up to three unedited pieces of sports news and information. In-studio set-up or anchor link work will not be considered as an asset unless it materially contributes to the editorial content of the presentation. Judges will particularly look for well-organized material, paying close attention to clearly written narration and appropriate sound bites. Time Limit: 10 minutes
HS10. Sports – Live Event
For outstanding achievement in the production of a live or live-to-tape sports event or game. A composite is required and may include examples of: Show Open, Graphics Package, Use of Replays, Inserted Pre-Produced Segments, Use of Statistical or Other Prepared Material, Highlights, Standard Coverage (e.g. Routine Innings or Downs) and any additional material at entrant’s discretion. Time limit: 30 minutes.
HS11. Sports Program
For outstanding achievement in a daily or weekly sports program or sports series. Entry may be live or recorded live. Entry must have, as its basis, special coverage not to be taken from a newscast. Entries may include multi-camera and pre-produced segments that cover the full spectrum of the event. Entry may have no post-edits except for the removal of PSA’s, interstitials or commercials. Entry will be judged on awareness of broadcast journalistic standards including accuracy and fairness. Time Limit: 30 minutes. If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time.
HS12. Public Service Announcement (PSAs)- Norman Felsenthal Young Producer’s Award
For outstanding achievement in announcements that effectively focus interest in and marshal support for worthy community or area causes. Spots may be 5-seconds to 2 minutes in length.
HS13. Commercial
For outstanding achievement in commercial production advertising a product, business or service that is conceived, written, created and produced for a class/school project. Spots may be 5-seconds to 5-minutes in length.
CRAFTS CATEGORIES
HS14. Animation/Graphics/Special Effects
For outstanding achievement in animation, graphics, and/or special effects demonstrating the skills of one or more individuals. Entries may contain a single example of the craft, or a composite of material as originally transmitted. Time Limit: 15 minutes.
HS15. Photographer
For outstanding achievement in photography demonstrating the skills of one or more individuals. Entries may contain a single example of the craft, or a composite of material as originally transmitted. Time Limit: 15 minutes.
HS16. Talent
For outstanding achievement in on-camera talent demonstrating the skills of one or more individuals in the areas of news anchoring, reporting, host/moderator, sports play-by-play, analyst, etc. Entries may contain a single example of the craft or a composite of material as originally transmitted. Time Limit: 15 minutes.