Lone Star Chapter of NATAS

The Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts
and Sciences (NTA) proudly presents the 2008 Call for Entries.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT

One award, more than one award, or no award is given to those person(s) directly responsible for the content and execution of the material presented in the entry.

1. Station Excellence

For excellence in overall station operations during the eligibility period. Entry should reflect the station’s overall local product including any news & sports coverage, other locally produced programs, promotional announcements, on-air examples of events hosted by the station and involvement in the community, and any further evidence of station excellence. Entry should emphasize the quality, breadth and efficacy of a station’s operations, stressing substance rather than style, and exhibit station’s performance in sustaining excellence throughout the eligibility year. The composite entry must be comprised only of material as actually aired. No introductions, post production, music or special effects may be added. Entry should include a one-page, written synopsis of the station’s operation, product, accomplishments and achievements. Entry length shall not exceed 60 minutes.

2. News Excellence

For excellence in the overall news operation during the eligibility period. Entry should present as many different examples as possible, including, but not limited to: enterprise in general assignment reporting, breaking news coverage, specialty and beat reporting, series, documentaries, continuing coverage of community issues, editorials/commentaries, etc. Entry should emphasize the quality, breadth and efficacy of a station's news operation, stressing substance rather than style, and exhibit the news department’s performance in sustaining excellence throughout the year. The composite entry must be comprised only of material as actually aired. No introductions, post production, music or special effects may be added. Entry should include a one-page, written synopsis. Entry length shall not exceed 60 minutes.

3. Community Service

For excellence in programming; whether news or non-news, involving the entire station in a continuing effort to focus interest on, and marshal support for, a worthy community cause. Entry should emphasize the depth, breadth, duration and efficacy of the station effort, and must be comprised only of material as actually aired. No introductions, post production, music or special effects may be added. Composite entries are allowed. Entry should include a one-page, written synopsis. Entry length shall not exceed 60 minutes.

NEWS PROGRAMMING

One award, more than one award, or no award (except where noted) may be given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the news program, segment or coverage. Anchors, reporters, photographers, editors, assignment editors, hosts, directors and qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. For any entry designated as a series, a minimum of two reports must be included.

4. Newscast

Newscast – Evening

4-A. Larger Markets (1-25)
4-B. Medium Markets (26-60)
4-C. Smaller Markets (61+)

For excellence in a regularly scheduled evening newscast. Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time limit: 60 minutes.

Newscast – Morning/Daytime

4-D. Larger Markets (1-25)
4-E. Medium Markets (26-60)
4-F. Smaller Markets (61+)

For excellence in a regularly scheduled morning or daytime newscast. Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time limit: 60 minutes.

NEWS GATHERING

5. News Special

For excellence in coverage of a one-time-only, significant, newsworthy event, occasion or topic aired outside any regularly scheduled news program. Subject should be an in-depth treatment of current topic. Time limit: 60 minutes.

6. General Assignment Report

6-A. Within 24 Hours

For excellence in coverage of a single or multi-part story or topic aired within a regularly scheduled newscast or newscasts which is assigned, shot, edited and aired within a 24-hour period. Entry may include live and/or taped elements. Time limit: 10 minutes.

6-B. No Time Limit

For excellence in coverage of a single or multi-part story or topic aired within a regularly scheduled newscast or newscasts, which has no time limit for its preparation. Entry may include live and/or taped elements. Stories and topics covered must be of a Hard News character and be an assigned report that would not be considered a Feature or Special Report (to be entered elsewhere). Time limit: 10 minutes

7. Breaking News

For excellence in coverage of a single unanticipated news event that is aired simultaneously with the news event being covered and aired either within or outside of a regularly scheduled newscast. Entry may include multiple live or taped elements. Time limit: 15 minutes.

Note: Regional winners in this category are eligible, at their discretion, to compete for a plaque in the National News and Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story – Spot News.

8. Spot News

For excellence in coverage of a single unanticipated news event that is shot, edited, produced and aired within 24 hours on a regularly scheduled newscast. Entry may include multiple live and/or taped elements. Elements of a related Breaking News entry may be included in a Spot News entry but not in their entirety. Time Limit: Limited to a single report.

For excellence by a team involved in covering multiple stories on a single subject, shot, edited, produced and aired within 24 hours in a regularly scheduled newscast. Entry may include live and/or taped elements. Time limit: 15 continuous minutes.

10. Continuing Coverage

For excellence in coverage of a single news story over an extended number of reports. Entries will be judged in part on story advancement and should be entered as a composite. Elements may include segments from within or outside of a regularly scheduled newscast. A stand-alone segment from this composite may be entered in one other category. Time limit: 30 minutes

10-A. Within 24 Hours

All reports included are from one news story and all aired within a 24-hour period.

10-B. No Time Limit

At least three segments should be entered to show the overall coverage of one news story over a longer period of time.

11. Investigative Report

11-A. Single Story
11-B. Series

For excellence in reporting of a community problem requiring research and investigative journalism, aired within a regularly scheduled newscast. Entry will be judged on the quality and extent of research, the presentation, and the impact of the reporting. Written documentation is required (100-word limit). Time limit: 30 minutes.

Note: Regional winners in this category are eligible, at their discretion, to compete for a plaque in the National News & Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story – Investigative Reporting.

12. Feature News Report

12-A. Light Feature / Series
12-B. Serious Feature / Series

For excellence in reporting of a single or multi-part feature news story or topic aired within a regularly scheduled newscast. Time limit 10 minutes or two complete reports, if longer for series.

NEWS & PROGRAM SPECIALTY

The following categories are open to entries created, written, produced and broadcast/cablecast by news, public affairs, and programming personnel. One award, more than one award, or no award is given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the news program, segment or coverage. Anchors, reporters, directors, photographers, editors, assignment editors, hosts, writers, and qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. A maximum of 3 segments/lifts is permitted to bring longer program entries to the required time limit.

13. Arts/Entertainment

13-A. News Single Story / Series / Feature

For excellence in reporting of arts and entertainment subjects. Time limit: 10 minutes or two complete reports, if longer for series.

13-B. Program Feature / Segment

For excellence in a feature or segment from a regularly scheduled program or special that focuses on general entertainment, variety or performing arts. Time limit: 10 minutes.

13-C. Program / Special

For excellence in a regularly scheduled program or special that focuses on general entertainment, variety or performing arts. Series entries accepted. Time limit: 30 minutes.

14. Business/Consumer

14-A. News Single Story / Feature
14-B. News Series

For excellence in coverage of business, finance or consumer topics. Time limit: 10 minutes or two complete reports, if longer for series.

15. Children/Youth /Teen

Program / Special

For excellence in a regularly scheduled program or special that focuses on subjects designed to be of specific interest to a target audience up to 19 years of age. Series entries accepted. Time limit: 30 minutes.

16. Crime

16-A. News Single Story / Feature
16-B. News Series

For excellence in coverage of subjects that focus on violent or white collar crimes or other violations of law. Time limit: 10 minutes or two complete reports, if longer for series.

17. Education/Schools