2023 High School Student Category List

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PRODUCTION PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES
Note:  The same material may not be entered in more than one programming category.

HS01. Newscast- (Daily Newscast- Trently Prize)
For outstanding achievement in a newscast, produced live, 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. 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 (includes weekly news programs)
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.  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.

HS12.  Commercial
For outstanding achievement in a production advertising a product, business, service, school, school department or a community or school event that is conceived, written, created and produced for class/school project.  Spots may be 5-seconds to 5-minutes in length.

HS13. Multimedia Journalist (MMJ)
For outstanding achievement by a single individual covering a single or multi-part news story. The MMJ is reporter, writer, photojournalist and editor. Entry may not be submitted in any other programming or craft category. Time Limit: 10 minutes
NOTE: This category is intended for solo projects. Collaborative or group projects must be submitted in one of the other appropriate categories.

CRAFTS CATEGORIES

HS14. Editor 

For outstanding achievement in editing demonstrating the skills of one or more individuals. Entries may contain a single example of the craft, or a composite of material as originally prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment. Time Limit: 15 minutes.

HS15. 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.

 

HS16. Video Essay
For outstanding achievement by a single individual covering a single or multi-part news story or program. The video essay creator is the photojournalist and editor, weaving together elements captured in the field to tell the story without a reporter or professional talent track. Entry may not be submitted in any other craft or program category. Time Limit:  15 minutes.

NOTE: This category is intended for solo projects.  Collaborative or group projects must be submitted in one of the other appropriate categories.  In addition, Video Essay submissions must not include any on-camera or voice-over narration.  Visual elements, interview soundbites and NAT sound are permitted to tell the story.

(Chapter Note: A video essay is a natural sound package without on-camera or voice-over narration. Visual elements, interview soundbites and natural sound are used to tell the story.)