Chapter Rules & FAQ

The Lone Star EMMY Chapter Excellence in My Market Awards (EMMA) are presented for excellence in television programming and individual craft achievement in the television arts, and will accept EMMA entries from all television markets in Texas, excluding Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. All entries must be broadcast or cablecast for the first time during the period from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. No entry may be submitted to another chapter's awards.

If, in the opinion of the Peer Judging Panel, an entry is submitted in an inappropriate awards category, it will be referred to the Awards Committee which reserves the right to change the category in which any entry is to be judged; or to disqualify the entry.

Entry in the Lone Star Chapter Emmy Awards gives The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences the right to broadcast, cablecast, or post online winning entries.

What are the EMMAs?

The Lone Star Emmy Chapter is proud to offer a groundbreaking new award on behalf of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The Excellence in My Market Awards will recognize television excellence produced in those markets ranging in size from Harlingen/Weslaco/Brownsville/McAllen (#88) to Victoria, Texas (#205).

They may not have the extensive resources found in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio or Austin, but television professionals in these markets often produce content head and shoulders above that found in the top 10. In recognition of those individual efforts, entries in the 2009 Lone Star EMMAs will be held to the same Standard of Excellence exemplified by the National Television Academy’s Emmy Awards, yet will be judged ONLY by qualified peer-judges from similar-sized television markets in other NATAS chapters.

Entries in the 2010 Excellence in My Market Awards must be originally broadcast between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. Recipients honored with the Lone Star EMMA Crystal Tower will have their entries submitted at no fee in the 2010 Lone Star EMMY Awards.

What is the Award?
Stunning, custom-designed Lone Star EMMA Crystal Towers engraved with the Emmy image will be awarded to the honored entries. Each winning entry shall receive ONE (1) EMMA Crystal Tower, with the opportunity for those properly listed on the entry form to purchase additional towers engraved with their own name.

May I enter the same material in both the EMMA’s and the traditional EMMYs?
Yes, as long as the entry material meets all the appropriate rules in each Call for Entries. EMMA entries honored with the Lone Star EMMA Crystal Tower which originally aired during the proper Emmy Awards Cycle will automatically advance to the Lone Star EMMY Awards process, at no additional cost.

In the event that a “forwarded” entry IS AWARDED at the EMMY level?
One (1) statuette will be awarded to the primary entrant listed on the EMMA entry form. Those listed on the original entry would be allowed to each purchase ADDITIONAL statuettes, engraved with their own names.

Do I have to be a Lone Star EMMY Chapter member to enter?
NO - You do not have to be a member to enter the EMMAs. For EMMAs - your first entry fee will cover the 2010 membership fees. If you are not a member you MUST fill out a membership form and submit. Please choose to pay by check. It is not necessary to send a check, but this will submit your information for EMMY Express system.

What does it cost to enter?
$45 per name up to a total of eight (8) entrants**

**An unlimited number of names may be added for a charge of $100 per extra entrant.

How do I enter?
Online Entry is the only form of entry. All entry fees must be paid in full by the entry deadline, February 4, 2010. Unpaid entries will be disqualified from the judging process. The Lone Star EMMY chapter does not accept personal checks. All final payments must be made by Credit Card or Company Check. The correct fee must accompany each entry. Proof of payment or payment, along with two copies of the DVD with entry forms attached to the DVD case / sleeve with a rubber band.

The Lone Star EMMY Chapter is helping pioneer online video submission for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. As part of the beta test for this important project, we are asking that you upload your 2010 video submissions to a newly launched online system. Your assistance will help us move toward a 100% online entry system for future Calls for Entries.

Please upload the video for your confirmed 2010 EMMA entries. If you are unable to upload your video please contact our office as soon as possible. Your video upload will make it possible for 2010 EMMA entries to be judged online by peer judges from other regional EMMY chapters.

Online Upload Entry System will be available in a few weeks, we will send you an email to upload your entries.

How do I use EMMY Express?

It is fairly simple, just follow all the instructions provided on each page and EMMY Express will prompt you along. The correct fee must accompany each entry. Payment must be made by corporate check, money order, or credit card. For each entry: Attach two copies of the entry form attached to the DVD case / sleeve with a rubber band and must be delivered or shipped to the Lone Star EMMY Office.   For stations or companies paying for more than one entry, entries must be made online.

If you are paying a single entry or for multiple entries online with one credit/debit card (visa or MasterCard only) we must receive two copies of the online receipt with each submitted entry. Be sure to enter the billing address for the card holder. You must complete an entry form and transaction for each entry. To repeat the entry process, simply click on the "add another entry" button located at the bottom of the "view invoice page" or proceed to step 5 (choose a payment option). You will have the choice to pay by credit card, pay later with credit card or pay by mail later with a corporate check. If you have any problems please contact the Emmy office at 214-941-3669.

If your credit card is denied please return to the Emmy Express Online go to bottom of page and insert invoice number to resubmit payment. Please make sure you have put the correct billing address of the card holder.

EMMY Express now offers the ability to use multiple credit cards to accommodate multiple entrants on the same body of work. You will be prompted: Choose a Payment Option to Pay online now with multiple credit cards. Each entrant will be be able to pay for their entrant fee with their own credit card. Please follow the instruction above.

Who is a “producer”?
“Producers” are those directly responsible for the content and execution of the material presented in the entry. Anchors, hosts, reporters, writers, photographers, editors, assignment editors, producers, directors and qualified others may qualify as a "producer" if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness.

Must I use the title “producer” on my entry?
No. You need not use the actual title "producer" unless it applies. Please use your appropriate credit as related to the entry.

How many people can be listed on an entry?
There is no limit on the number of individuals who may be listed on an entry, but each must pay a separate and appropriate entry fee. If entry exceeds eight (8) entrants, a higher entry fee will be imposed for each additional name. See entry fee structure for details. All entrants must be directly responsible for the entry’s production.

Can we just list the entrant as “Staff”, “News Team” or “Company X”, etc.?
You may NOT list any entrant name as "Staff," "News Team", "Company X", etc.
EMMA Crystal Towers are awarded to individuals, not to their employers, stations or companies. All entries must include the name and production credit for at least one individual.

Can I add nominees later?
Only the individuals listed on the entry form are eligible to become nominees and receive towers or plaques. Names may be added to the entry form up until one week before nominations are announced, subject to appropriate entry fees and late penalties.

What should I include with my entry?
Include two (2) copies of the entry form along with (2) copies of your DVD and proof of payment. All items should be affixed to the DVD case/sleeve. Only one (1) entry per DVD. Please repeat the process for each entry. ENTRY FORMS MUST BE FILLED OUT COMPLETELY! PROGRAMS ENTERED IMPROPERLY MAY BE DISQUALIFIED. RULING OF THE AWARDS COMMITTEE IS FINAL. A one page written synopsis is highly encouraged.

What format should I use?
Entries will be accepted only on DVD-R

What do I put on my DVD-R?
Entries must be submitted exactly as aired. Entries will be accepted on DVD-R only. The readability of the DVD-R is the responsibility of the entrant. DVD-Rs that cannot be read/played cannot be judged and entry fees will not be refunded. The following guidelines shall apply:

• DVD-R format (DVD minus-R).

• DVD-Rs must be finalized and ‘compatibility tested’ on a different DVD player than the one used to burn the entry.

• Brand-name disks are recommended.

• Printed DVD labels (paper labels) are not suggested; instead, use a permanent marker to legibly PRINT identifying marks on the disk. Ink jet or laser printing that can be applied directly to the DVD face (printable media) is acceptable.

• Use a clear sleeve or case.

• One entry per DVD-R

• Call For Entries Blank DVD-R Labels

May I submit the same work in two places?
You may NOT enter a single, stand-alone piece of work in more than one category. You may enter segments or packages from full-length programs already entered elsewhere, but only if you ARE NOT listed as a “producer” on the full-length program.

Your COMPOSITE ENTRY in a Craft category may include work already entered elsewhere, but only if you ARE listed as a "producer" on the non-craft entry.

Material included as part of a composite entry in the Station Excellence, category may be entered in other categories.

What do you mean by a composite entry?
A composite is defined as a sampling of up to 3 representative segments or elements that convey to a judging panel the scope, breadth, or range of an individual’s talents or of coverage of a special event. The elements within a composite, unless otherwise noted, are to be “as aired” with no internal edits or post production work, such as music or special effects. Composites are not to exceed 30 total minutes. Unless otherwise noted, a straight lift from a long work may be included as an element of a composite, but there must be no editing of the lift. Demo or presentation reels are not allowed except for the station special achievement awards.

May I submit a composite entry in the Craft Achievement categories?
Yes. The benefit of submitting a composite is that it shows the breadth and depth of your work. Also, you may use work submitted for EMMY consideration in another category as part of that composite, but only if you are listed as a "producer" on the non-craft entry.

Entering single works in the Craft achievement categories is generally best left to those who work on program-length works, such as newscast directors, technical directors, program-length writers, etc.

May I enter the exact, same Craft composite in two different craft disciplines?
No. Once a composite is created for a craft entry, it essentially becomes its own stand-alone entry. As we state, no single piece of work may be entered in more than one category. You may however use up to one-third of a craft composite as part of a separate composite in a different discipline, such as photographer/editor or reporter/writer.

What should I put on my DVD-R for the Overall Station Excellence category?
For this entry, the written synopsis you provide is just as important as what goes on the DVD-R. Clearly define your station or news department’s mission and outreach so that the judges understand what you do, with what you have. The video should compliment the synopsis. Time codes are extremely helpful as judges are only required to view 50% of the submitted material. These categories are not about creating a sleekly produced “marketing” video. In fact, post-production editing is not allowed.

What’s the difference between Breaking News and Spot News?
Breaking News: This is the “I am here at the bank robbery and the bullets are flying over my head” story. Preparation limit is unnecessary since it must be simultaneous. May include taped elements.

Spot News: This is the “I am here at the bank where this morning the bullets were flying over my head, and in the 2 hours following the police chased the robber to the state line.” The goal is to extend what was done in the simultaneous report to allow the entry of the longer form report.

What falls under General Assignment?
This is the basic news reporting done day-in day-out by a News Department. This is for the coverage of planned events and done as planned assignments. No time limit entries should be carefully reviewed to insure that these were assigned reports and not pitched or created reports that would fall under Feature or Special Reports.

How do I shorten a full-length program to comply with entry time limits?
Full-length programs may be shortened by taking up to three (3) complete lifts from the program. In other words, a maximum of three edits is permitted to bring longer programs to the time limit. We encourage the use of the synopsis to help judges navigate the entry.

Who gets to keep the EMMA?
Each winning entry shall receive one EMMA Crystal Tower, with the opportunity for those properly listed on the entry form and for whom entry fees were properly paid to purchase additional towers engraved with their own name. Individual recipient(s) will retain possession of the EMMA Crystal Tower, even if an employer pays entry fees.

Can I purchase Duplicate Towers, Certificates, and Plaques?
Stations, studios and production companies may order a duplicate EMMA Crystal Tower for public display at their place of business (one each; up to a maximum of three per winning entry). Nomination Certificates will be awarded to all nominees following verification of nomination upon request.

Are there any other rules I should know about?
Yes. STANDARD CLAUSES FOR CALLS FOR ENTRIES FOR REGIONAL EMMY® AWARDS CONDUCTED BY THE CHAPTERS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES (NATAS)

What’s the deadline?
All entries and checks must be received by Monday, January 25, 2010 at 5 pm. No late entries will be accepted.

Where do I send my entry?
Entries and payment should be delivered or mailed to:

LONE STAR EMMY AWARDS
408 West 8th Street
Dallas, TX 75208
214.941.3669

Are there any other rules I should know about?

Here's everything else you need to know about entering the Lone Star Emmy Awards.

PURPOSE: To recognize outstanding achievements in television by conferring annual awards of merit in the Chapter's designated award region. The presentation of these awards is intended to be an incentive for the continued pursuit of excellence for those working in the television industry and to focus public attention on outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news and informational achievements in television.

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible entries must have been distributed to the general public via broadcast, cablecast, or broadband by a television station, a cable company, satellite, internet or similar distribution system.

Broadcast entries must have been produced for the Chapter's designated awards area and must have had their first transmission in that awards area during the eligibility period. Entries must not have been available for viewing by more than 50% of the U.S. television homes during the eligibility year. Entries that are available to more than 50% of the U.S. television homes should be submitted to NATAS’ national awards (see exceptions).

Broadband entries must have been intended for consumption and be ‘of primary interest’ to a regional audience. It is advised that broadband content intended for a wider audience (a national audience) be submitted for consideration in the Academy’s national competitions.

Cablecast entries are deemed available for an entire market if the cable channel on which they appear is generally available to that market, regardless of the actual number of subscribers the cable channel may have in the market.

Entries which are broadcast only on a Super Station and which are specifically designed exclusively for their local market may be accepted for regional judging, even if the retransmitting of the station’s signal by cable systems make it available to more than 50% of the American television households. This may include regional newscasts or programs dealing with issues specifically related to the local community.

Entries dealing with national news or entries dealing with subjects of general interest beyond the local market are not eligible for regional judging. The Chapter’s Awards Committee may resolve questions of eligibility for such entries. Petitions, in writing, can also be forwarded to the National Awards Committee for final review and judgment. Works accepted for regional judging under this exception may not be submitted for National consideration.

Program length commercials (infomercials) and closed circuit programs are not eligible.

Pornographic, violent, defamatory or offensive material is not accepted. The interpretation of the Awards Committee is final and absolute. Entries must be submitted as originally shown. There may not be any post-broadcast changes except as noted in the category descriptions.

No entry may be submitted to more than one Chapter's awards.

Ineligible entries may be disqualified during any phase of the competition.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE 50% RULE:
1. Local station news coverage that may receive national exposure should
be submitted to regional Emmy® Award competitions.
2. The treatment of a local community issue by a super station that is
directed specifically to those living inside the station's home market
maintains its eligibility in regional Emmy® Award competitions.
3. A local program that later receives national distribution may compete in
both regional and national awards competitions, but not in the same
eligibility year.
4. Local segments that are eligible to participate as entries in national
Emmy® Award competitions (i.e. News & Doc, Community &
Public Service) may compete in both regional and national awards
competitions under prevailing rules.
5. Broadband entries that can be seen worldwide via the internet
are eligible for regional competition if the content was primarily
intended for consumption in the Chapter’s designated awards area.

ORIGINAL MATERIAL: At least two-thirds of a program entry must consist of original material, unless previously produced material has been given some unique and creative treatment that, in the opinion of the Chapter Awards Committee, results in an original program. Entrants must identify all non-original material, including its location in the program. Pre-purposed or re-purposed material is not eligible.

COMPOSITES: A composite is defined as a sampling of two or more representative segments or elements that convey to a judging panel the scope, breadth, or range of an individual’s talents or of coverage of a special event. The elements within a composite, unless otherwise noted, are to be “as aired” with no internal edits or post production work, such as music or special effects. Unless otherwise noted, a straight lift from a long work may be included as an element of a composite, but there must be no editing of the lift.

LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH: Spanish-language entries may be entered and will be judged by a panel of Spanish-speaking, peer judges.

Programs in languages other than English or Spanish may also be entered; however judging of these entries in their native language is subject to the availability of qualified, peer judges who speak the language of the entry. Therefore, NATAS requires that these entrants submit a DVD with English subtitles or with English on a second audio channel, a précis or English transcript.

MEMBERSHIP: Membership in The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is not required to enter the Emmy® Awards.

JUDGING PROCEDURE: Entries made to this Chapter will be judged by panels assembled by other NATAS Chapters. These panels shall be comprised of no fewer than 5 judges who shall be certified as peers. No more than 3 judges on a panel may be employed by the same station or company. Judges may not have a conflict of interest, which is described as having a direct involvement in the production of an entry, or having a personal relationship with a member of the production staff of an entry. Group ownership, by itself, does not necessarily create a conflict of interest.

NON-COMPETITIVE JUDGING: Entries are judged against a standard of excellence and do not compete against each other. There may be one award, more than one award or no award given in each category. Any exceptions will be noted in the category description.

JUDGING REQUIREMENT: The success of the Emmy® Awards process depends on the willingness of qualified professionals to serve as judges. Peers in other NATAS Chapters are serving this Chapter's entrants. This Chapter will judge other Chapter's entries. By entering, you agree to serve as a judge when asked.

INTENTIONAL FALSIFICATION: The entrant warrants that he/she/they are the party(ies) most responsible for the award-worthiness of the entry. The intentional falsification of production credits or entry credits may be the basis for disqualification.

ENTRY ERRORS AND OMISSIONS: The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences assumes no responsibility for the acts or omissions of those individuals or entities submitting entries pursuant to this notice. All submitting entities and/or individuals are advised to review submissions with respect to correct name credits and other information. The National Academy shall accept all submissions that are not in conflict with any of its rules and regulations.

ENTRY FORMAT:
Entries will be accepted only as DVD video . The readability of the DVD is the responsibility of the entrant. DVDs that cannot be ‘read’ cannot be judged and entry fees will not be refunded. It is recommended that you view on a late model consumer DVD player before submitting the entry.
The following guidelines shall apply:
• DVD-R format (DVD minus-R).
• DVDs must be finalized and ‘compatibility tested’ on a different DVD player than the one used to burn the entry.
• Brand-name disks are recommended.
• Printed DVD labels (paper labels) are not suggested; instead, use a permanent marker to legibly PRINT identifying marks on the disk. Ink jet or laser printing that can be applied directly to the DVD face (printable media) is acceptable.
• Use a clear sleeve or case.
• One entry per DVD.
A one page written description should accompany each entry submission.

AWARD OWNERSHIP: Emmy® Awards are presented to individuals, not to their employers. Ownership of the Emmy® statuette is retained by the individuals and The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, even if an employer pays entry fees. Stations, studios and production companies may order a duplicate statuette for public display at their place of business (one each; up to a maximum of three per winning entry).

WHO RECEIVES THE AWARD? Producers, craftpersons and other statue-eligible entrants as listed on the entry form receive the Emmy® statuette, except where noted. Others who work on a nominated or winning entry may order production certificates or plaques.

CRAFTS ACHIEVEMENT: In the Crafts Achievement Awards, those who actually perform a specific discipline receive the Emmy® statuette. Supervising or directing the work of others does not qualify for Crafts Achievement Awards, except for achievements in directing categories.

PROMOTION: Emmy® winners may refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that they are an Emmy® recipient and, for one year after the award was bestowed may use a replica of the Emmy® statuette in such advertising. A ® registration mark and the appropriate copyright notice: © NATAS/ATAS must accompany any portrayal of the Emmy® statuette or moniker.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Entry Period: January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009

Entry Deadline: 3pm Thursday, February 4, 2010

Awards Announcement: May 2010

2010 EMMA Categories

2010 EMMA Media Rules

EMMA Online Entry Form