THE SAME CONTENT MAY NOT BE ENTERED IN MORE THAN ONE NEWS/PROGRAMMING CATEGORY.
NEWS & PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES
H01 – NEWSCAST
For outstanding achievement in a regularly scheduled newscast. 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
H02 – NEWS: GENERAL ASSIGNMENT – SERIOUS NEWS
H03 – NEWS: GENERAL ASSIGNMENT – LIGHT NEWS
For outstanding reporting achievement in a regularly scheduled 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
H04 – ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT/PUBLIC AFFAIRS
For outstanding achievement in presentation of content devoted to cultural or artistic significance, or a complication of up to three unedited pieces. Time Limit: 10 minutes.
H05 – MUSIC VIDEO
For outstanding achievement in replication, reinterpretation or original material in a music video. Judges will evaluate content, creativity and execution. Time Limit: 5 minutes
H06 – 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
H07 – FICTION
For outstanding achievement in a presentation of a long-form treatment of a single fictional subject. 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: 30 minutes. If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time.
H08 – NON-FICTION
For outstanding achievement in a presentation of a long-form treatment of a single non-fiction 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: 30 minutes. If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time.
H09 – PUBLIC SERVICE (PSAs)
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.
H10 – 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.
H11 – 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.
CRAFT CATEGORIES
H12 – ANIMATIONS/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.
H13 – DIRECTOR
For outstanding achievement in directing 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.
H14 – 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 transmitted. Time Limit: 15 minutes.
H15 – 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.
H16 – TALENT – NEWS OR SPORTS
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.
H17 – TALENT – PERFORMER
For outstanding dramatic on camera work in a short film or work of fiction. This is not the subject of an interview but rather talent following a script in the body of work. Actors may not be paid for their participation. Time Limit: 15 minutes.
H18 – WRITING
For outstanding achievement in writing in all forms, including both fiction and non-fiction. This award is designed to encourage clarity of thought as well as creativity. Style and substance both count heavily in determining the winner. Scripts must be fair and accurate and must demonstrate logical organization of editorial content so that a viewer will easily understand the story that is being told. Time Limit: 15 minutes