2024
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Opens February 1, 2024
ENTRY DEADLINE
March 8, 2024
ELIGIBILITY PERIOD
January 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024
for entries produced in the heartland region
NOMINATIONS
April 12, 2024
AWARDS CEREMONY
April 27, 2024
CHAPTER BOUNDARIES
DESIGNATED AWARDS AREA
Open to High School and College/Universities school video programs in:
WYOMING
NEBRASKA
COLORADO
KANSAS
OKLAHOMA
STUDENT PRODUCTION CRYSTAL PILLAR AWARDS
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – Heartland Chapter offers a 6” tall crystal pillar for High School and an 8” tall pillar for College/University commemorating the Student Television Awards for Excellence. The pillar is inscribed with the name of the recipient, the school, category and features the academy logo.
Entries and videos must be submitted by
MARCH 8, 2024
The earlier you upload, the easier it will be to allow time for adjustments and problems. Please make a genuine effort to start early to avoid getting caught in a pipeline jam.
CATEGORIES
FEES
COLLEGE
$45 per entry
HIGH SCHOOL
$35 per entry
Payments can be made via PayPal.
NOTE FOR HIGH SCHOOLS
Regional high school recipients will automatically advance to a national competition
The 2023 National High School Awards--Winners were announced on February 1, 2024.
Congratulations to:
Mackenzie Hacker
Fiction - Short Form
Steps, St. John High School
Mac Knight, Advisor
Winners of the 2024
National awards will be announced in the fall of 2024.
For more information visit:
CONTACT US
Please email office@emmyawards.tv
RULES
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES
NATAS is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and related media and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry, best known for the coveted Emmy® Award.
PURPOSE
To recognize outstanding student achievement in production by conferring awards of merit in the Chapter’s designated awards region. The presentation of these awards is intended to be an incentive for the continued pursuit of excellence by those studying media and journalism and to focus public attention on outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news and informational achievements by undergraduate College/University and/or high school students.
ELIGIBILITY
- Projects conceived, produced and executed by undergraduate students at a university, college or technical/vocational school within the Chapter’s designated awards region are eligible for student award consideration.
- Returning students who previously worked as professionals are not eligible.
- No professional services may have been employed in the production of the entry.
- Faculty involvement can only be advisory.
- Entrants must be enrolled as a full-time student during the eligibility period
- Students may enter work that was produced as a class assignment, extra-curricular assignment or in conjunction with their academic experience.
- Students who perform professional work may enter their work in the professional awards competition, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.
- No entry may be submitted to more than one Chapter’s awards.
- The entry does not need to have been broadcast, cablecast or webcast to be eligible.
- Entry videos must as they were originally submitted to their advisor. There may not be any edits to the originally completed video except for edits to bring the entry length within the specified category time limit. When editing for time, use only straight cuts with one second of black to denote where content has been removed.
- There is no limit to the number of entries a school may submit in each category.
- Pornographic, violent, defamatory or offensive material is not accepted. The interpretation of the Awards Committee is final and absolute.
- Ineligible entries may be disqualified during any phase of the competition.
STUDENT PRODUCTIONS
Students are not considered peer professionals and as such, their regional student productions are not eligible for Emmy® Award recognition. If material is produced as part of a class, for which school credit is received, they are considered a student. If they are paid or working on a project with other "professionals," and want to enter the Chapter’s Emmy® Award competition, they cannot enter as a student, but instead must pay the appropriate entry fees. The student is then prohibited from entering subsequent student production categories with other classmates.
ENTRY SUBMISSIONS
A teacher, professor or advisor must approve the entry even if the student handles the submission or upload process themselves. There is no limit to the number of entries a school may submit.
CATEGORY VIABILITY
In the event that the number of entries in a category falls below a range of four (4) to nine (9), Chapters have the option of eliminating or merging the category with another. If a category is merged, entrants would have the option of dropping out of the competition and receiving a refund of their entry fees.
ORIGINAL MATERIAL
At least two-thirds of an entry must consist of original material, unless previously produced material has been given some unique and creative treatment. Entrants must specifically identify and give credit to all non-original material included in the entry. This includes music use.
LANGUAGE(S)
All entries will be judged by English-speaking professionals. Entries in other languages may be entered but for these entries entrants must include English subtitles on each entry.
DOUBLE-DIPPING
No single entry may be submitted in its entirety in more than one Programming category. The same student may not be listed on more than one entry for doing the same job using the same work. If a student was responsible for more than one role, they submit the video in the appropriate craft categories to be judged for that particular craft (i.e. writer, editor, etc.).
EXCERPTS
An excerpt is defined as a continuous segment or section from longer content. Unless noted in the category description, no more than three (3) excerpts may be used to bring longer content to the specified category time limit.
For entries representing a program series, content must be included from multiple episodes of the series. A maximum of three (3) representative excerpts is permitted. One to two seconds of black, with no audio or slates, must be added to separate excerpts.
If the awards committee determines the content of any excerpt is ineligible, the entire entry will be ruled ineligible.
Removal of a commercial break between segments does not constitute a separate excerpt
COMPOSITES
A composite is defined as a sampling of a minimum of two (2) and no more than five (5) representative segments or examples of work that convey to a judging panel the scope, breadth, or range of an individual’s talents within the specified craft category.
The elements within a composite, unless otherwise noted in the category description, are to be “as aired” with no post-distribution changes, such as additional edits, music or special effects. Composites may include stories or segments in their entirety and/or excerpts from longer content.
One to two seconds of black between cuts, with no audio or slates, must be added to separate segments within the composite
DEMO REELS OR MONTAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED
ENTRY ERRORS AND OMISSIONS
The National Academy of Television Arts & 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. NATAS shall accept all submissions that are not in conflict with any of its rules and regulations.
INTENTIONAL FALSIFICATION
The faculty advisor warrants that they are the party most responsible for verifying that eligibility requirements have been met. The intentional falsification of production credits or entry credits may be the basis for disqualification.
FEES
While a fee to cover administrative expenses may be charged, there may be no individual student entry fees. Membership is not a requirement for advisors or entrants.
JUDGING AND EVALUATION
Programming Categories are judged on three criteria: content, creativity and execution on a 10-point scale (maximum 30 points); and Craft Categories are judged on two criteria: creativity and execution (maximum 20 points). Judging panels are to be made up of qualified professional judges. Judges have the option of including constructive comments or feedback, to be returned to the student’s faculty advisor.
AWARDS
A crystal pillar is awarded to the school for entries validated by a professor or advisor. Students responsible for the production will each receive a certificate. Pillars may be purchased for students listed on winning entries after the awards.
RESTRICTION ON THE USE OF EMMY® MARK
Schools may refer to the fact that they are recipients of a NATAS Student Production Award but may not use the Emmy® name or replica of the Emmy® figure in any form of commercial advertising or promotion.
STUDENT PRODUCTION AWARDS
CATEGORIES
COLLEGE
PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES
Note: The same material may not be entered in more than one programming category.
C-01
Newscast
Time limit: 30min
For outstanding achievement in a newscast, produced 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.
C-02
News Report - Serious News
Time limit: 10min
C-03
News Report - Light News
Time limit: 10min
For outstanding 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.
C-04
Multimedia Journalist (MMJ)
Time limit: 10min
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.
Note: this category is intended for solo projects. Collaborative or group projects must be submitted in one of the other appropriate categories.
C-05
Video Essay
Time limit: 10min
For outstanding achievement by a single individual covering a single or multi-part story. The video essay creator is the photographer 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 programming or craft category.
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.
C-06
Non-Fiction – Short Form/Long Form
Time limit: 30min
For outstanding achievement in a presentation 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.
Note: If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time, with one second of black between edits.
C-07
Public Affairs/CommunityService
Time limit: 10min
For outstanding achievement in a presentation of content with current social, civic or other issue-oriented subject matter. Entry may be a single story or a multi-part series of stories on the same topic. Advocacy of a point of view is encouraged. Content, creativity and execution will be important elements in judging the entries. Entry will be judged on awareness of broadcast journalistic standards including accuracy and fairness.
C-08
Arts and Entertainment/Cultural Affairs
Time limit: 10min
For outstanding reporting achievement in a presentation of content devoted to cultural or artistic significance. Entry may be a single story or a multi-part series of stories on the same topic.
C-09
Magazine Program
Time limit: 30min
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.
C-10
Music Video
Time limit: 5min
For outstanding achievement in replication, reinterpretation or original material in a music video. Judges will evaluate content, creativity and execution.
C-11
Fiction – Short Form/Long Form
Time limit: 30min
For outstanding achievement in a presentation of a short-form or long-form treatment of a single fictional subject. Dramatizations of 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.
Note: if the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time, with one second of black between edits.
C-12
Sports Story or Segment
Time limit: 10min
For outstanding achievement in a sports news, information or feature story. In-studio set-up or actor 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.
C-13
Sports Program
Time limit: 30min
For outstanding achievement in a sports program or special. Entry may be live or edited and must have, as its basis, special coverage not to be taken from a newscast. Entries may include multi-camera and pre-produced segments. Entry may have no post-edits except for the removal of PSAs, interstitials or commercials. Entry will be judged on awareness of broadcast journalistic standards including accuracy and fairness.
Note: This category is for shows such as pre/post-game shows, sports interview/ discussion programs, season recap shows, etc. If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants may select up to three (3) segments/excerpts to bring the entry to the specified time limit. One (1) second of black should be included between segments/ excerpts.
C-14
Live Sporting Event/Game
Time limit: 30min
For outstanding achievement in the production of a live or recorded live sports event or game. A composite is required and may include segments or excerpts that provide 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.
Note: One (1) second of black should be included between segments/excerpts.
C-15
Public Service Announcement (PSA)
Spots may be 5 seconds to 2 minutes in length
For outstanding achievement in announcements that effectively focus interest in and marshal support for worthy community or area causes.
C-16
Commercial
Spots may be 5 seconds to 5 minutes in length
For outstanding achievement in a production advertising a product, business, service, school or school department, or a community or school event that is conceived, written, created and produced for a class/school project.
CRAFT CATEGORIES
Note: Only those who performed the specified craft should be listed on the entry.
Note: One (1) second of black should be inserted between elements of a composite entry
C-17
Animation/Graphics/Special Effects
Time limit: 15min
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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment.
C-18
Audio/Sound
Time limit: 15min
For outstanding achievement in audio or sound design 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.
C-19
Director
Time limit: 15min
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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment.
C-20
Editor
Time limit: 15min
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.
C-21
Photographer
Time limit: 15min
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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment.
C-22
Talent - News or Sports
Time limit: 15min
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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment.
C-23
Talent - Performer
Time limit: 15min
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.
C-24
Writer
Time limit: 15min
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.
HIGH SCHOOL
PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES
Note: The same material may not be entered in more than one programming category.
H-01
Newscast
Time limit: 30min
For outstanding achievement in a newscast, produced 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.
H-02
News Report - Serious News
Time limit: 10min
H-03
News Report - Light News
Time limit: 10min
For outstanding 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 soundbites. 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.
H-04
Multimedia Journalist (MMJ)
Time limit: 10min
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.
Note: this category is intended for solo projects. Collaborative or group projects must be submitted in one of the other appropriate categories.
H-05
Video Essay
Time limit: 10min
For outstanding achievement by a single individual covering a single or multi-part story. The video essay creator is the photographer 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 programming or craft category.
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.
H-06
Non-Fiction – Short Form/Long Form
Time limit: 30min
For outstanding achievement in a presentation 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.
Note: If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time, with one second of black between edits.
H-07
Public Affairs/Community Service
Time limit: 10min
For outstanding achievement in a presentation of content with current social, civic or other issue-oriented subject matter. Entry may be a single story or a multi-part series of stories on the same topic. Advocacy of a point of view is encouraged. Content, creativity and execution will be important elements in judging the entries. Entry will be judged on awareness of broadcast journalistic standards including accuracy and fairness.
H-08
Arts & Entertainment/Cultural Affairs
Time limit: 10min
For outstanding reporting achievement in a presentation of content devoted to cultural or artistic significance. Entry may be a single story or a multi-part series of stories on the same topic.
H-09
Magazine Program
Time limit: 30min
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.
H-10
Music Video
Time limit: 5min
For outstanding achievement in replication, reinterpretation or original material in a music video. Judges will evaluate content, creativity and execution.
H-11
Fiction – Short Form/Long Form
Time limit: 30min
For outstanding achievement in a presentation of a short-form or long-form treatment of a single fictional subject. Dramatizations of 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.
Note: if the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time, with one second of black between edits.
H-12
Sports Story or Segment
Time limit: 10min
For outstanding achievement in a sports news, information or feature story. In-studio set-up or actor 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.
H-13
Sports Program
Time limit: 30min
For outstanding achievement in a sports program or special. Entry may be live or edited and must have, as its basis, special coverage not to be taken from a newscast. Entries may include multi-camera and pre-produced segments. Entry may have no post-edits except for the removal of PSAs, interstitials or commercials. Entry will be judged on awareness of broadcast journalistic standards including accuracy and fairness.
Note: This category is for shows such as pre/post-game shows, sports interview/ discussion programs, season recap shows, etc. If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants may select up to three (3) segments/excerpts to bring the entry to the specified time limit. One (1) second of black should be included between segments/ excerpts.
H-14
Live Sporting Event/Game
Time limit: 30min
For outstanding achievement in the production of a live or recorded live sports event or game. A composite is required and may include segments or excerpts that provide 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.
Note: One (1) second of black should be included between segments/excerpts.
H-15
Public Service Announcement (PSA)
Spots may be 5 seconds to 2 minutes in length
For outstanding achievement in announcements that effectively focus interest in and marshal support for worthy community or area causes.
H-16
Commercial
Spots may be 5 seconds to 5 minutes in length
For outstanding achievement in a production advertising a product, business, service, school or school department, or a community or school event that is conceived, written, created and produced for a class/school project.
CRAFT CATEGORIES
Note: Only those who performed the specified craft should be listed on the entry.
Note: One (1) second of black should be inserted between elements of a composite entry
H-17
Animation/Graphics/Special Effects
Time limit: 15min
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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment.
H-18
Audio/Sound
Time limit: 15min
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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment.
H-19
Director
Time limit: 15min
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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment.
H-20
Editor
Time limit: 15min
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.
H-21
Photographer
Time limit: 15min
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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment.
H-22
Talent - News or Sports
Time limit: 15min
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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment.
H-23
Talent - Performer
Time limit: 15min
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.
H-24
Writer
Time limit: 15min
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.
NOTE FOR HIGH SCHOOLS
Regional high school recipients will automatically
advance to the national competition
Winners of the National awards will be announced in the fall of 2024.
For more information visit:
VIDEO GUIDELINES
VIDEO FORMATS
PREFERRED FILE FORMAT
MP4 using H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec
For best quality, encode your video at its original size.
Sizes 1920x1080 or 1280x720 are recommended.
Your video should be at least 720p.
Entrants are responsible for the technical quality of their videos.
SUPPORTED FILE FORMATS
The system supports nearly any format other than DRM-encrypted media.
UNSUPPORTED FILE FORMATS
· Quicktime (MOV) files that use the Apple Intermediate Codec (used in Final Cut Pro)
· DRM protected files from Microsoft (WMV) or the iTunes Store (M4V, MOV)
· WMV videos using the MSS2 video codec (for screencasting)
VIDEO UPLOAD STEP BY STEP
PREPARING YOUR DOWNLOAD
· Ensure that you have a video file in a format that can be uploaded.
· Videos must be uploaded through Emmy® Express.
· The browser window must remain open while the file is being uploaded.
PROCESSING
· Once the file has been uploaded, processing will begin.
· If you don't want to wait, you may close the browser window. The video will be processed in the background.
· NOTE: If you close the browser window, you must come back to approve the video upload
APPROVAL
· After upload and processing, you must double check the video and approve the upload.
· If you close the browser window during processing, you must come back later to approve it.
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