The entry form to submit with your tapes can be downloaded here
ENTRANTS
The contest is open to ONPA members in good standing. In order to enter the entire three month quarter, membership payment must be received by the Treasurer before or during the first month of the quarter. If payment is received during the second or third month of the quarter, only entries from that month or later may be submitted. The exception to this rule is the month of January. Entries for the month of January may be submitted as long as your membership payment is received by February 28th. Timely dues payment is the responsibility of the individual photographer.
ENTRIES
A maximum of two (2) entries (clips) is allowed each quarter. Entrant must have shot at least 90% of the entry. Re-editing is
NOT allowed. There is no penalty to the entrant, if file or historical video is used. Each part of a series counts as one entry. Entrant must complete an entry from and comply with the directions on the form.
CATEGORIES
There are four categories. Both clips may be entered in the same category or in two different categories. Any clip may be
entered in any category, provided it meets the guidelines set forth below.
SPOT NEWS
• Coverage of an unplanned incident, an emergency situation involving police, fire, or rescue; or any other life threatening situation. Must be shot and aired within 24 hours of the incident.
MAXIMUM LENGTH 3:00 MINUTES
GENERAL NEWS
• Coverage of an planned event; a sidebar to a spot news story; or coverage of a timely subject. No music is allowed, unless
it is part of the natural sound. Stories that may be considered features may be disqualified from this category. Must be shot and aired within 24 hours.
MAXIMUM LENGTH 5:00 MINUTES
NEWS FEATURE
• A light approach to a subject. Must be shot and edited within a continuous 48 hour period. Stories requiring more time should be entered in the In-depth category regardless of subject matter.
MAXIMUM LENGTH 3:30 MINUTES
IN-DEPTH
• A planned story where the photographer put considerable time and effort into the production of the story. It may be divided
into a series and aired on successive days. If so, edit the individual parts eliminating the introductions, but leaving a second of
black leader between each piece.
MAXIMUM LENGTH 30:00 MINUTES
NOTE: The contest chairman will determine the qualifications of each entry and may disqualify an entry or change the category in which it is to be judged.
WINNERS
Judges must choose a 1st, 2nd, and a 3rd place in each category, if there are at least six entries in the category. If there are
less than six entries in a category, a 1st, 2nd, and/or 3rd place may not be awarded at the judges discretion.
POINTS
Points will be awarded as follows:
Entry: 1 point (per entrant, not per entry)
1st place 11 pts
2nd place 8 pts
3rd place 5 pts
Honorable mention 1 pt
DEADLINES
Entries must be received by the 15th of the month following the end of the quarter. Entries that arrive after the 15th that have a postmark or shipping date later than the 10th (the 5th by 4th class mail) will NOT be accepted and will be returned to the sender unjudged. The first quarter deadline is April 15th, second quarter deadline is July 15th, third quarter deadline is October 15th and the fourth quarter deadline is January 15th.
ENTRY DIRECTIONS
ENTRY FORM — Complete all the items on the entry from. Tapes received without entry forms or with incomplete entry forms will not be judged.
DUB YOUR STORIES
• Beta will be the preferred format for all entries. If this poses a problem for you call the contest chairman to see what other
alter natives are possible.
• Dub only the story. Anchor lead-ins, tags, and mentions of your name are to be eliminated. If your name is mentioned in the
story, kill the audio where your name is mentioned. The same goes for a video mention. You may note it on the entry form,
i.e. “audio dips at the end to eliminate name.”
• Dub your stories onto separate tapes if you enter more than one category. Examples: Spot on Spot Tape, General on
General Tape.
• Leave 30 seconds of black on the front of the tape and 5 seconds between stories.
COMPLITATION TAPES — Is there is more than one person entering from your station? Please compile your tapes. Put all the Spot on one tape, General on another, etc. Enclose a compilations listing
sheet with each tape. On the compilation sheet, list the stories in the order in which they appear on the tape.
RETURN TAPES — If you want your tape(s) returned to you after judging, you must enclose a note saying so, along with a preaddressed postage paid container.
WHERE TO SEND YOUR TAPES — Send your entries directly to the contest chairman. The chairman will compile the entries and forward to the judges.
Ship to:
David Bradford
3834 Woodglen Ave
Norton, OH 44203
IT IS THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY PHOTOJOURNALIST AT ALL TIMES TO STRIVE FOR PICTURES THAT REPORT TRUTHFULLY, HONESTLY AND OBJECTIVELY.
NPPA CODE OF ETHICS