ELIGIBILITY PERIOD
March 2, 2023 — December 31, 2023
ENTRY DEADLINE
February 12, 2024
STUDENT WINNERS ANNOUNCED
March 21, 2024
Student Pillars Presented at
Regional EMMY® AWARDS
Ceremony
October 26, 2024
Overland Park Convention Center, KS
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.
ELIGIBILITY AREA
All broadcast, cable, broadband, cable / community / government access and video content providers (not close circuit or venue specific) located within the following Designated Market Areas (DMAs):
- St. Louis
- Kansas City
- Little Rock
- Springfield (MO)
- St. Joseph
- Columbia/Jefferson City
- Joplin/Pittsburg
- Quincy/Hannibal/Keokuk
- Ottumwa/Kirksville
- Davenport/Rock Island/Moline
- Paducah/Cape Girardeau/Harrisburg
- Champaign/Springfield/Decatur
- Fort Smith/Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers
- Jonesboro
- Monroe-Eldorado and Shreveport (LA)
FEES
HIGH SCHOOL
$25 per entry
May include up to 2 names per entry
COLLEGE
$35 per entry
May include up to 2 names per entry
Payment Options
PayPal Preferred. Checks will be accepted and must be received by April 15th. Please make checks payable to:
NATAS Mid-America
3655 Olive St.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Payment Deadline
All entries paid via PayPal must be paid in full by the deadline – deadline to receive checks for entries is March 31, 2024.
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 1920×1080 or 1280×720 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.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
For more detailed information regarding acceptable video formats, encoding and other settings, visit:
JW Player upload guidelines.
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 UPLOAD
· Ensure that you have a video file in a format that can be uploaded.
· Videos must be uploaded through Student Express.
· The browser window must remain open while the file is being uploaded.
SUPPORTED FILE FORMATS
· 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.
Mid-America Student Production Awards
STANDARD RULES AND REGULATIONS
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Entries in English will be judged by English-speaking professionals. Entries in Spanish should be submitted with subtitles and will be judged by English-speaking professionals. Entries in other languages may be entered. We recommend that entrants in languages other than English submit an English-language translation of the narration track.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. Judging of these entries is subject to the availability of qualified judges who speak the language of the entry. We recommend that entrants in languages other than English or Spanish submit an English-language translation of the narration track.
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.).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Mid-America chapter includes the television markets primarily in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois and surrounding DMAs:
- St. Louis
- Kansas City
- Little Rock
- Springfield (MO)
- St. Joseph
- Columbia/Jefferson City
- Joplin/Pittsburg
- Quincy/Hannibal/Keokuk
- Ottumwa/Kirksville
- Davenport/Rock Island/Moline
- Paducah/Cape Girardeau/Harrisburg
- Champaign/Springfield/Decatur
- Fort Smith/Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers
- Jonesboro
- Monroe-Eldorado and Shreveport (LA)
Mid-America Student Production Awards
CATEGORIES
HIGH SCHOOL
NOTE: The same material may not be entered in more than one programming category.
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.
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.
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 entered 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.
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.
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.
Note: If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time.
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.
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.
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-10
Public Service Announcement (PSA)
ENTRY TIME LIMIT: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Limit: 15 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
COLLEGE
NOTE: The same material may not be entered in more than one programming category.
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.
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.
Comment: Serious News entries might be considered the lead of a newscast. Coverage of controversial issues is welcome. Entries will be judged on the basis of editorial and visual content, as well as adherence to broadcast journalistic standards of accuracy and fairness.
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.
Comment: Light News entries should focus on feature topics of a light nature that might be considered a “closer” in a newscast. Entries will be judged on the basis of editorial and visual content, as well as adherence to broadcast journalistic standards of accuracy and fairness.
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 entered 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.
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.
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.
Note: If the original presentation ran more than 30 minutes, entrants are permitted to make three edits to bring the entry to time.
For outstanding reporting achievement in a presentation of content devoted to cultural or artistic significance, or a compilation of up to three unedited pieces. Entry may be a single story or a multi-part series of stories on the same topic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2024 CALL FOR ENTRIES
CALL FOR ENTRIES PDFs
Categories
HIGH SCHOOL
H-01 · Newscast
H-02 · News Report — Serious News
H-03 · News Report — Light News
H-04 · Multimedia Journalist (MMJ)
H-05 · Non-fiction — Short Form
H-06 · Non-fiction — Long Form
H-07 · Arts and Entertainment/Cultural Affairs
H-08 · Magazine Program
H-09 · Public Affairs/Community Service
H-10 · Public Service Announcement (PSA)
H-11 · Sports Story or Segment
H-12 · Sports Program
H-13 · Live Sporting Event/Game
H-14 · Editor
H-15 · Photographer
H-16 · Talent — News or Sports
H-17 · Writer
COLLEGE
C-01 · Newscast
C-02 · News Report — Serious News
C-03 · News Report — Light News
C-04 · Multimedia Journalist (MMJ)
C-05 · Non-fiction — Short Form
C-06 · Non-fiction — Long Form
C-07 · Arts and Entertainment/Cultural Affairs
C-08 · Magazine Program
C-09 · Sports Story or Segment
C-10 · Sports Program
C-11 · Animation/Graphics/Special Effects
C-12 · Talent — News or Sports
C-13 · Photographer
C-14 · Editor
C-15 · Writer
CONTACT
If you have any questions, contact us at:
314-533-2993 (cell / text)
maggie@emmymid-america.org
MID-AMERICA SCHEDULE
Eligibility Period
March 2, 2023 – December 31, 2023
ENTRY DEADLINE
February 12, 2024
scholarshipS
GRANT
Continuing Education Opportunity Grant C.E.O.G
Applications Deadline
April 30, 2024
Awards Store
