Category:  Digital Movie

Grade 3-5 Digital Movie 

The Digital Movie category is an opportunity for you to express your opinions and creativity through a short film. Hop into the director's chair and create your own cinematic masterpiece! Projects will be evaluated on such concepts as storyline,  cinematography, and storyboarding. Check out the Camera/Video and Editing Tips section for some useful suggestions on how to make your movie.  

Eligibility

• Open to students in Grades 3-5

Example Projects

• Documentary, Public Service Announcement, Commercial, Short Film (Skit)

Example Software 

• iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere 

Specific Category Rules 

• Projects must contain a storyboard and a narrative (see Digital Movie Scoring Guideline for details). 

• A storyboard is displayed or available that clarifies the process used to create the project.

  • Your storyboard should be a set of sketches, arranged in sequence on panels, outlining the scenes that will make up what you plan to film. 

  • The storyboard will not be judged for grammar or appearance but should be legible and organized.  

• The narrative description is displayed or available that clarifies the process used to create the project.

  • The narrative description/project summary is included in the Philly MDC  Participant Packet. 

  • Narratives must be detailed enough to provide the judges with any information to fairly judge the project. Attach additional pages if necessary.       

• Copyright information and credits are included in the narrative or displayed with the project (see below).  

• Directions for re-launching the project must be provided, as well as any passwords. (May use narrative) 

• The judged video clip must not exceed 5 minutes. If it is part of a larger project, copy the five minutes that you want to be judged. 

• Wireless Internet connections will be provided as necessary. Displays and monitors must not exceed 24 inches.  

• Space will be assigned and limited to 3 feet per project. Spelling and grammar will be judged on narrative and project.  

• If a project meets the above rules it will be judged using the Philly MDC Digital Movie Scoring Guideline.  

In addition, your project should also include each of the following elements 

• All projects should display the process used to create the project.  This includes the pre-production process, in addition to the storyboard, used to create the project (not post-production photos after your project has been completed). This should be specific and as detailed as possible to give the judges the necessary background regarding how it was developed. 

• You may choose to put it on your tri-fold display or bring a loose-leaf notebook with your notes.  

• Tri-fold displays are not judged, they are for clarification purposes only.      

Copyright Requirements

• The Philly MDC Student Participation Packet includes a participation agreement that must be signed by all participating students on a project and their teacher sponsor.  Part of the agreement outlines copyright expectations, as well as other project requirements. 

• The Philly MDC, although educational, removes the student's work from the classroom and therefore requires the student to get permission from the owner to use any copyrighted music, video, graphics, etc. Fair use does NOT  apply. 

• Remember to credit music or items that were created by yourself or friends as well.  

• Get photo releases signed by everyone in your project in any media format.  

• Copyright information and credits are included in the narrative or displayed with the project. 

Disclaimer: To ensure that projects reflect students’ own creativity and effort, participants in the Philadelphia Student Media and Design Competition must adhere to an 80% human, 20% AI rule. Students should document and clearly report how AI tools were utilized in their work to maintain transparency and align with competition guidelines.

Suggested sites to search for media:

• Creative Commons This site provides searchable material from various authors that are usable under certain conditions. Click here to find out more about Creative Commons Licenses 

• Public Domain Pictures 

• Pixabay

Camera/Video and Editing Tips 

• Make sure to set your camera's white balance to the type of light in which you are shooting so the color is accurate.  

• While shooting with a hand-held camera, use smooth, controlled movements.  Shaky and jerky camera movements are difficult to watch and unprofessional. 

• Be sure your audio is clear and audible. If the audience can't hear your movie,  they can't understand it. While editing, carefully select your shots and cut points and seek feedback from others.  

• Keep in mind the rule of thirds when framing your shots.  

• Make a detailed and concise storyboard; it will save you time when you are filming and will affect your project's score.