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2026 AAIM - Types of Media Production

Live Action Video – The Live Action production type includes full motion productions that generally have on-screen talent in the form of actors, instructors, hosts, or narrators. Often, a computer will be used for titles, credits, overlays, and editing. Cell phones fit into this division. Examples of live-action projects include: digital shorts, public service announcements (PSA), documentaries, music videos, video book trailers, video yearbooks, and news broadcasts. 

Sequential Stills Project - A Sequential Stills production may include images, text, audio, and video (embedded video that might be part of a presentation) in a fixed order by the producer. Examples of interactive stills projects include: presentations, a PowerPoint, Canva, Google Slide, or Book Creator 

Animation - An animation includes drawn images, clay models, legos, and/or any three-dimensional objects that are animated to create the illusion of movement. If a piece integrates live action AND animation, it falls under the animation media category. 

Interactive Multimedia Application - Using any of a number of media authoring tools, students create projects that combine various media. This end product may be a website, a game, virtual reality, or voice media. Examples of interactive multimedia projects include: websites designed for a club or class project, games designed for learning, or app, 

Podcast - A podcast is a digital audio program that can be downloaded and played on a computer or any digital audio player. A podcast can be a stand-alone item or one of a series, though only one of the series should be submitted. There are separate categories for informative and entertainment. 

Podcast: Informative – This category will focus on fact-based, educational, or news-driven content. Entries should be well-researched and structured to inform the audience about a particular topic. The existing scoring rubric will remain largely unchanged, focusing on clarity, research quality, and effectiveness in delivering information.

Podcast: Entertainment – This category will highlight storytelling, humor, and other engaging formats designed primarily for entertainment. Since the intent is to captivate an audience rather than strictly inform, the scoring rubric will be adjusted slightly to emphasize creativity, storytelling, and audience engagement.

Black and White Photograph (3 categories) 

• Unedited image (no edits or changes from the original image - point, shoot, and submit) 

• Edited image (minimal filtering and color adjustment - photo apps and/or Photoshop may be used) 

• Special Effects Photography - images that incorporate digital modifications beyond basic editing. It will include creative enhancements, special effects, and artistic filters, allowing for a broader range of self-expression.

Color Photograph (3 categories) 

• Unedited image (no edits or changes from the original image - point, shoot, and submit) 

• Edited image (minimal filtering and color adjustment - photo apps and/or Photoshop may be used) 

• Special Effects Photography - images that incorporate digital modifications beyond basic editing. It will include creative enhancements, special effects, and artistic filters, allowing for a broader range of self-expression.

Media directors reserve the right to move an image to the appropriate category. Judges will only watch 4 minutes of the production. If no time frame is indicated, it will be the first 4 minutes.