Detailed Project Information
The sponsor/parent will need to categorize the project by selecting a Production Type and Project Objective. Sponsors who need help categorizing a project are encouraged to contact the school coordinator. We retain the right to re-categorize entries if needed. Definitions of the Production Types and Purposes follow:
PROJECT TYPES
LA - Live Action (includes Video Podcasts) – Full motion productions such as dramas, comedies, documentaries, commercials, news shows, talk shows, interviews, instructional presentations, etc. These productions generally will have on-screen talent in the form of actors, instructors, hosts, and/or narrators. A computer may be used for title, credits and overlays, and may be used in the editing process. Such projects are still “Live Action”.
AN - Animation – An Animation includes drawn images, clay models, and/or real-life models that are animated to create the illusion of movement. If a piece integrates live action and animation, it falls under the animation production type. Famous examples of integrated animation are the 1945 Gene Kelly film Anchors Aweigh and 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
SS - Sequential Stills-Regular – A Sequential Stills production is a series of images with text, music, video clips and/or narration added. The order that the stills are viewed is fixed by the producer. Text, music, video clips and/or narration may be added. Often, sequential stills pieces are created in slideshow software like Microsoft PowerPoint.
WS - Website – A website is similar to an Interactive Stills however, it must be available on the Internet until November of the festival year. Media accepted are CD, DVD, or Flash Drive, but a live URL must be provided. Important note: A “site map” must be included with the entry form. (It may be in either a flow chart or table of contents format that gives the judges information on bringing up the website.)
PC - Audio Podcast – A podcast is a digital audio program that can be downloaded and played on a computer or 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. Files should be in mp3 or mp4. RSS files are not required. All podcast entries must be available for download from the Internet (a live URL must be provided), Enhanced podcasts with images are accepted but will be considered equally with standard podcasts. Video podcasts should be categorized as Live Action.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Instructional – The purpose of an instructional piece is to teach something. This goes beyond simply presenting facts. Examples include tutorials, teaching tools, and interactive games with assessment.
Informational – The purpose of an informational piece is to inform the audience but not persuade opinions. Informational pieces could briefly cover multiple topics or focus on one or two. Examples include News Programs, Biographies, Community Calendars, and Personal Websites.
Documentary – The purpose of a documentary is to document an actual event or topic beyond the scope of a typical news story. It should reflect serious research and present facts objectively without fictional matter.
Persuasive/PSA – The purpose of a persuasive piece is to present an idea, product, concept, organization, or individual in a credible way, so as to change public opinion and/or encourage audience approval, support or participation. Examples include Advertising, Public Service Announcements, and Movie Trailers. Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are 30 to 60-second messages designed to change public opinion, actions, or feelings.
Story – The purpose of a story piece is to tell a story, whether serious or lighthearted, fictional or non-fictional. Examples include Comedies, Dramas, and Student/Family Experiences.
Entertainment – The purpose of a piece in this category is to entertain and/or amuse the audience in a format other than telling a story. Examples include Music Videos, Variety Shows, Interactive Games, and Game Shows.
COPYRIGHT
Please refer to the Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia for copyright guidelines. Under the Fair Use Guidelines, only a portion of the copyrighted material is permissible. Please Note: Under the portion limitations, only 30 seconds of a copyrighted piece of music is allowed in a media project. If a media project contains a larger portion of copyrighted material than the portion limitation allows, the signature of the copyright holder is required.
Length of Production: Entries may be as long as producers deem fit. Judges will view as much of the entry as needed to ensure a fair appraisal of the work (typically 7 minutes). Title and credits should be at the beginning of each project. Please review the Judging Criteria for more information.
Production Teams: Entries may be produced by an individual student, a group, a class, or a club. The names of all students and teachers who participated in creating the project should be included on the project form. DO NOT INCLUDE LAST NAMES OF ANY STUDENT PARTICIPANT in the project.
ABOUT MY PROJECT FORM
GSMF judges feel they can make a better evaluation of a media project if they have some background information and understand the project from the students' point of view. As part of the entry form the student will have the opportunity to provide answers to the following questions for each project:
- What inspired you to create this project?
- Describe the steps you took to create your production (How long did it take you to create?).
- What would you like the judges to know about this project?
- What challenges to creating your project did you have, if any?
- What have you learned from producing this media project?
Insights from the Sponsor are also requested in for form of the following questions:
- What did you want your students to learn in the process of producing this project?
- Were there any special circumstances or constraints you would like to make the judges aware of?
Grade Levels
Sponsors will classify each project by grade level. If a group of student producers spans different grade levels, select the highest grade level.
REQUIRED FORMS
Please complete the following forms and submit to your school sponsor. Make a copy of each form.