The Five Freedoms PSA Contest ends tomorrow

February 18, 2010

 

The deadline for getting your entry into the Five Freedoms PSA Contest is tomorrow, February 19, 2010 at 11:59 p.m.

There's still time to enter.

The Five Freedoms Contest rewards students who create dynamic, inspiring 30-second PSAs that demonstrate how the First Amendment protects us. Your PSA can focus on events and issues at school, in the community or in the world.

This year’s contest features a $2,000 prize for the first place high school winner and a $500 prize for the middle school first place winner. 

In addition, finalists who receive the most votes on hsbj.org will earn $100 Student Choice Awards.

Finalists will be announced at the Student Television Convention on March 4. Student Choice Voting will begin March 4 - March 12.  Official judging and Student Choice Winners will be announced during Sunshine Week – March 14-20.

Who can enter?

High school and Middle school television students who value the Five Freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution: Freedom of Press, Speech, Petition, Assembly and Religion.

What is the contest?

A contest designed to challenge student journalists to create original 30-second public service announcements demonstrating the importance of the First Amendment.

When does it run?

Segments produced this school year -- until February 20, 2010 -- are eligible. Uploading begins November 3, 2009 and ends February 19, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Where do I upload entries?

You can upload your entries directly to SchoolTube beginning on November 3, 2009.

Why should I enter?

Everyone should understand the importance of the Five Freedoms found in the First Amendment. By creating these PSAs, students get the opportunity to not only learn and understand the Five Freedoms, but they also get there chance to let others know about their importance to our lives as Americans.

How do I enter?

Teams: PSA production teams should be made up of no more then three students. Schools can send in as many PSAs as they like.

Prep: Read the background information on the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment and and see the contest tips at www.hsbj.org.

Length: 30 seconds. Stay within your time limit in your final edit. This does not include the information slate at the beginning of your piece.

Slate: A 10 second, full screen slate (also known as a "title screen") should appear before your PSA with the following information:

• Student producers’ names (no more than three)
• School name
• School address
• Title of the entry
• Total running time

Music: Only use music in your PSA if you have permission from the copyright holder. No music is better then illegal music. We want to protect our constitutional rights, not break them.

Entering:
1. Teachers must register on SchoolTube.com. Registering will give them the ability to upload videos, and moderate their students’ submitted videos.

In addition to uploading the PSA to SchoolTube.com, teachers must fax a signed Five Freedoms Teacher Form to RTNDF at 202-223-4007. This form verifies that students did the work with no assistance from adults and that music is copyright free or used under license.

2. Students must register on SchoolTube.com in order to upload their entry. Their submission will have to be approved by their teacher before it is officially entered into the contest.

3. Either students or teachers can upload a PSA entry to SchoolTube. If students submit the video, it will be moderated by their teacher before it is officially entered and posted. Teachers are notified via email of student submissions.

4. If a teacher submits an entry, after successful upload they will receive notification when it is “live” on SchoolTube.

Voting: All visitors and members of SchoolTube will be able to vote on their favorite PSAs.

Judging: First Amendment experts and professional broadcast journalists will choose the Grand Prize Winners after all submissions are in.

Prizes: There will be Grand Prize Winners for both high school ($2,000) and middle school ($500).

• Second Place: $500 (high school) $250 (middle school)
• Third Place: $250 (high school)

There will also be five early bird winners of $100 each for entries submitted before February 2, 2010.

On The Air: Winning videos will appear on on SchoolTube, hsbj.org and on Channel One during  the First Amendment-based Sunshine Week, March 14-20, 2010. Please save a broadcast-quality version of the PSA in the event that yours is selected to air on television.