Students

REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PRODUCTION AWARDS
CALL FOR ENTRIES – 2023-24 

Eligibility Period:  March 1, 2023 – February 29, 2024

Entry Deadline: March 1, 2024
(Late entries accepted until Friday, March 8th)

Link to download Call for Entries

Link to Online Entry Form

 

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 and/or high school students.

STANDARD RULES AND REGULATIONS

ELIGIBILITY

  1. Projects conceived, produced and executed by students at a high school, university, college or technical/vocational school within the Chapter’s designated awards region are eligible for student award consideration.
  2. Returning students who previously worked as professionals are not eligible.
  3. No professional services may have been employed in the production of the entry.
  4. Faculty involvement can only be advisory.
  5. Entrants must be enrolled as a full-time student during the eligibility period
  6. Students may enter work that was produced as a class assignment, extra-curricular assignment or in conjunction with their academic experience.
  7. Students who perform professional work may enter their work in the professional awards competition, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.
  8. No entry may be submitted to more than one Chapter’s awards.
  9. The entry does not need to have been broadcast, cablecast or webcast to be eligible.
  10. 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.
  11. There is no limit to the number of entries a school may submit in each category.
  12. Pornographic, violent, defamatory or offensive material is not accepted. The interpretation of the Awards Committee is final and absolute.
  13. 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.

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)

Entries in English will be judged by English-speaking professionals. Entries in Spanish will be judged by Spanish-speaking professionals. Entries in other languages may be entered. We recommend that entrants in languages other than English or Spanish submit an English-language translation of the narration track.

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 (ie writer, editor, etc.).

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.  NO ENTRY FEES AGAIN FOR 2024.  Thanks to a generous donation in honor of Steve Shlisky our past president & activities chair, all entry fees have been waved for this year.

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.

NATIONAL CONTEST
Regional recipients will automatically advance to the National Student Production Awards. Recipients of these national awards will be announced at an event later in the year. For more information visit the website: http://emmyonline.org/nationalstudent

 

 

CATEGORIES

PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES

Note: The same material may not be entered in more than one programming category.

101  Newscast

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. Time Limit: 30 minutes

102  News Report – Serious News

103  News Report – Light News

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. Time Limit: 10 minutes

104  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.

105  Video Essay

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. 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. 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.

106  Non-Fiction – Short Form

For outstanding achievement in a presentation of a short-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: Up to 10 minutes.

107  Non-Fiction – Long Form

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: Minimum 10 minutes – maximum 30 minutes.

Note: If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time.

108  Public Affairs/Community Service

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. Time Limit: 10 minutes.

109  Arts/Entertainment/Cultural Affairs

For outstanding 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. Time Limit: 10 minutes.

110  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.

111  Music 

For outstanding achievement in replication, reinterpretation or original material in a music video. Judges will evaluate content, creativity and execution. Time Limit: 5 minutes

112  Fiction – Short Form

For outstanding achievement in a presentation of a short-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: Up to 10 minutes.

113  Fiction – Long Form

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: Minimum 10 minutes – maximum 30 minutes.

Note: If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time.

114  Sports Story or Segment

For outstanding achievement in a sports news, information or feature story. 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

115  Sports Program

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.
Time Limit: 30 minutes.

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.

116  Live Sporting Event/Game

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.
Time limit: 30 minutes.
Note: One (1) second of black should be included between segments/excerpts.

117  Public Service Announcement (PSA)

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.

118  Commercial

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. Spots may be 5-seconds to 5-minutes in length.

 

CRAFT CATEGORIES

Note: Only those who performed the specified craft should be listed on the entry.
Note: One (2) seconds of black should be inserted between elements of a composite entry.

119  Animation/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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment. Time Limit: 15 minutes.

120  Audio/Sound

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. Time Limit: 15 minutes.

121  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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment. Time Limit: 15 minutes.

122  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.

123  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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment. Time Limit: 15 minutes.

124  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 prepared for class or extra-curricular assignment. Time Limit: 15 minutes.

125  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.

126  Writer

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.

 

 

ENTRY PROCESS:
Complete your entry form at:  http://natasstudentawards.org/entry_login.php?c=7
You will need to complete a “New User” form before you can fill out entry form.

Then upload your video at:  http://natasstudentawards.org/video_upload.php?c=7
You will need your entry number to complete this step.

There are many different video containers, codecs and formats out there. These add up to literally thousands of different combinations. While we do our best to support as many formats as possible, we simply cannot ensure that any uploaded video will work.

SUPPORTED FORMATS:
    The system supports nearly any format for uploading including:

  • MP4, WMV, MOV*, 3GP, AVI, FLV
    *Some MOV files contain additional features like edit lists that often result in audio-video sync issues.

BEFORE you can upload your Student Video, you must do the following:

  1. SUBMIT your entry (the “paperwork” part) using NATAS Student Awards: 
    http://natasstudentawards.org/entry_login.php?c=
    7
  2. PREPARE your video for uploading
    Review the Valid Video Formats and Video Encoding Guidelines by clicking on the appropriate link in the Resources Column on the right side of this page.

Once you have submitted your entry and prepared the video for upload, you can upload your video to NATAS Student Awards.

Video Upload “Step-by-Step”  
You can access the video upload page through the UPLOAD VIDEO link on your  account dashboard or through the link included at the bottom of the entry confirmation email.
*NOTE: You can only upload 1 video entry at a time.

STEP 1: VERIFY THE ENTRY YOU WILL BE UPLOADING  
You will need your Entry ID number and the submitter’s email address. Both are ESSENTIAL to begin the uploading process.
This information can be found in the Student Awards – Email Copy of the Entry that was sent to you after submitting the entry.
If you did not receive the email, you can access it – as well as any entry information – from the ACCESS EMAIL link after logging in to your Student account: http://natasstudentawards.org/entry_login.php?c=7 
The information is also available through the REVIEW SUBMITTED link on your account’s dashboard.

On this first page you need to:

  • Select the entry category from the drop down box.
  • Enter the ENTRY ID Number (refer to your  – Email Copy of the Student Entry)
    EXAMPLE: 51-06. 51 is the category, 06 is the entry id#.   
  • Enter the submitter’s email address that was provided on the entry form.
  • Select Box that you agree to the terms of uploading video.

STEP 2: REVIEW VIDEO FILE UPLOAD INFORMATION

After reading through the instructions on the page and confirming your entry information in the box at the bottom, click on Proceed to Upload Video.

STEP 3: UPLOAD VIDEO  

  • Select your video from your computer files by Browsing, be sure that you are uploading the correct file type.
  • Click on UPLOAD
    The Screen will change to show a status bar indicating where the video is in the upload process. Wait for video to upload. Depending on the size of your file and your internet connection, the upload may only take a couple of minutes or, for larger files, could take 30 minutes or more. The larger the file, the longer the upload process.
    IMPORTANT: DO NOT CLOSE THE BROWSER UNTIL THE UPLOAD IS COMPLETE.

            Video Encoding In-Progress

Once uploaded, the screen will change for encoding. The status will indicate “processing” until the video is “ready.”  (It will take on average about 2 minutes for each minute of video to complete this process but it can take considerably longer if the server has a backlog of encoding.)

You can keep your browser open while the video is processing; or, you can use the link at the bottom of the page to monitor the encoding process (a new tab/page will open in your browser); or, you can close your browser at this point and return later to finish the approval process.

When the status shows “ready,” click on the thumbnail or “click here to play video” link to play the video. Watch all the way through. Check both video and audio.
*If the link does not appear, there was an encoding problem.

After watching your video, click on the “Approve or Disapprove Video” link

Step 4: COMPLETE THE UPLOAD  

  • If the video uploaded and played properly and you approve, select Approve.
  • CLICK FINISH
  • If you do not approve- select “Reject and Delete.” Your video will be deleted and you can upload your video entry again.
  • You have 3 opportunities to upload and approve your video. Once approved, or you’ve uploaded your video 3 times, you will not be able to upload again.
  • Please contact the office at: office@emmysf.tv to have options reset so you can complete the process.
  • *IMPORTANT: Your video is NOT available to the judges until you approve it!

You will receive an email confirmation once you have completed the upload and approved your video. Your entry is now ready to be judged.

Thank you for submitting your entry for consideration in the San Francisco/Northern California Student Awards.  Good luck

Link to download Call for Entries

Link to Online Entry Form

ALL WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE ARCHIVED BY THE CHAPTER.

QUESTIONS:

Darryl Compton, Executive Director,  darryl@mmysf.tv, 650-341-7786.

Toby Momtaz, Education Chair, toby@emmysf.tv , 916-870-4228.

ENTRY SUBMISSIONS:   The school where the work was produced must submit each entry and the faculty advisor submitting the entry must sign the entry form. There is no limit to the number of entries a school may submit.

 

 

 

 

COLLEGIATE SCHOLARSHIPS

Click to watch video

 

APPLICATON DEADLINE:  TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD

Click to view promo video

We have streamlined the entry process so you need only apply for a undergraduate or graduate scholarship.  Based on your essay and video submission the scholarship committee will decide on the best fit for the scholarships available.  The Fred Zehnder Journalism Scholarship has a separate application.  If you are working in media and returning to complete your education you can apply for the Professional Development scholarship.

Your essay should talk about yourself and your life’s journey to date, your aspirations for your career.  Is your goal to be a producer, director, photographer, editor, writer, etc.  The video submission should support your goals, show examples of your producing, videography, writing, etc.

Link to Application and Instructions to apply

Link to Application & Instructions for Fred Zehnder Journalism Scholarship

FRED ZEHNDER Memorial
UNDERGRADUATE JOURNALISM Scholarship 

to the outstanding undergraduate journalism student ($5,000)

Underwritten by Friends of Fred Zehnder

Fred Zehnder dedicated his life to journalism, working in newspapers, radio and broadcast television news. He died unexpectedly in 2021 at the age of 87 and was still working 40-plus hours a week as the publisher of his two weekly newspapers in the East Bay.

Fred began his broadcast career as an assignment editor, cameraman, editor and producer at TV and radio stations in Northern California. He was committed to fair, ethical journalism, and he instilled those standards in everyone who worked for him. For an unheard-of 21 years, from 1978 to 1999, Fred was News Director at KTVU Channel 2 in Oakland, then owned and operated by Cox Communications. He selected people who didn’t always fit the mold for on-air and behind-the-camera jobs. Fred looked for people who shared his passion for solid television journalism. The formula worked. His newsroom became highly respected and consistently drew the highest ratings and local, state and national broadcast awards. Under his leadership, “The 10 o’clock News” became the No. 1 prime-time newscast in the country.

This scholarship was created to honor the man who launched and nurtured hundreds of careers and who was revered by the people who worked for him, with him, and those who wished they could have been part of what he created.

We are looking for journalists who would be honored to receive the Fred Zehnder Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship and will carry forward the kind of journalism Fred championed

Link to Application & Instructions for Fred Zehnder Journalism Scholarship

Link to Application and Instructions to apply

LOUISE JORJORIAN Memorial OVERALL EXCELLENCE Scholarship

to the outstanding overall student ($5,000)

Beloved broadcaster Louise Jorjorian established her life and career in San Francisco in radio and television, landing her first job as Publicity Manager for KGO radio, and then became Promotion Director for KSFO Radio, where she worked for 25 years.

 

LINDA GIANNECCHINI Memorial PROFESSIONAL Development Scholarship

to the outstanding professional returning to complete degree ($3,000)

Linda Giannecchini is our most renowned local and national NATAS leader.  She previously served as National Vice Chairman, Vice President, Secretary and Trustee. Locally, Linda is a past President and chaired the Awards, Scholarship and Speakers’ Bureau Committees. Linda currently serves as Co-Chair of the Media Museum of Northern California Consortium, and the Archives/Museum Committee. She’s an Emmy® award recipient, member of the Silver Circle, class of 1997, recipient of the 2011 Governor’s Award and 1990 Governors’ Service Medallion.

JERRY JENSEN Memorial
Graduate Journalism Scholarship

to the outstanding graduate journalism student ($3,000)

Jerry Jensen anchored News Scene on KGO with Van Amburg for more than ten years until his death on March 26,1984. Jerry died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 49. Jensen joined KGO-TV in 1969 as the weekend anchor. Prior to channel 7, he anchored at KBHK and KRON. Jerry was awarded the NATAS Governors’ Citation in 1968.

 “MISS NANCY” BESST Memorial GRADUATE Production Scholarship

to the outstanding graduate production student ($3,000)

“Miss Nancy” Besst, one of the founding members of the NATAS Northern California Chapter, started her career in Baltimore, MD as a staff teacher for Romper Room. Moving to San Francisco she became “Miss Nancy” on Romper Room from 1958-1969. She hosted many programs on KQED, KGO, KRON and KBHK. Nancy is a member of the Silver Circle, 1988, and has received the Governors’ Service Medallion, 1994; Governors’ Citation, 1996, and the Governors’ Award, 1998.

SHELDON “SHELLY” FAY Memorial UNDERGRADUATE Videography Scholarship

to the outstanding undergraduate videography student ($3,000)

The family and friends of Shelly Fay started a scholarship to an outstanding videographer. Shelly was a multi-talented television professional who worked in the San Francisco Bay Area as a producer, photographer, director and editor for more than 25 years, mostly at KPIX-CBS5.

RIGO CHACON UNDERGRADUATE REPORTING Scholarship

to the outstanding undergraduate student in news reporting ($3,000)

Multiple Emmy® award-winning television reporter Rigo Chacon, now retired, worked at KGO-ABC7 for 29 years as a general assignment reporter and opened the first Santa Clara County bureau of a San Francisco-based TV station. Among his many honors, Chacon is a member of the Television Academy’s prestigious Silver Circle.  He Received the Governors’ Award i 2003.  Rigo and his wife Lucy offer student scholarships thru their foundation Abrazos and Books.

PETER J. MARINO, JR. Memorial Undergraduate Production Scholarship

to the outstanding undergraduate journalism student ($3,000)
Peter Marino was a stalwart member of the Chapter and co-founder of the Scholarship Program. He was well known for his public relation exploits, and as a music and video producer. Marino was a principle in a Bay Area recording studio and represented several recording companies. This scholarship covers a variety of production job disciplines.

Link to Application and Instructions to apply

Link to Application & Instructions for Fred Zehnder Journalism Scholarship

 

NOTE: The San Francisco/Northern California Chapter Scholarships are for college students only. High school students may also apply for the NATAS Chapter High School Student Awards of Excellence. Contact the NATAS office for more information at 650-341-7786.

Scholarships Donations:
TV ACADEMY FUND, INC.
4317 Camden Avenue
San Mateo, CA  94403-5007

CLICK TO DONATE ONLINE

The TV Academy Fund is a 501(c )(3) nonprofit charitable organization.
#94-3172275