2021 Call for Entries The 47th Annual Pacific Southwest Emmy® Awards

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2021 Call for Entries
The 47th Annual Pacific Southwest Emmy® Awards

Honoring outstanding achievement in regional television in the Pacific Southwest including San Diego, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Bakersfield, and Palm Springs

Eligibility period: January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020

To enter: https://emmyexpress.com/entry_login.php?c=15

Emmy® Awards Contest Rules

PURPOSE

To recognize outstanding achievements in television and allied media by conferring annual awards of merit in the Chapter’s designated award region which includes San Diego, Las Vegas, Bakersfield, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo. The presentation of these awards is intended to be an incentive for the continued pursuit of excellence for those working in the television and digital media industry and to focus public attention on outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news, informational programming and craft achievements in television and online.

WHO CAN ENTER

Membershipin The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is not required to enter the Emmy® Awards. Entrants must have each performed a significant and hands-on role in the production. Eligibility is determined by role rather than an individual’s job title. Managers, News Directors, clients and supervisory personnel are typically not considered eligible but may petition to be included if they actively participated and their work significantly contributed to the content being submitted.

Entrants, producers, management, or designated representatives may submit an entry on behalf of another individual. In that case, the submitter is responsible for confirming the entrant’s knowledge of and adherence to all eligibility rules and that they have given their consent to the content submitted. Also, submitters are strongly encouraged to reach out to all key contributors on the entry, to make them aware that their work is being submitted and to allow them the opportunity to add their name.

STUDENT PRODUCTIONS

Students are not considered peer professionals and as such, their regional student productions are not eligible for Emmy® award recognition. If material is produced as part of a class for which school credit is received, the material is considered to be the work of a student. If a student works on a project submitted for Emmy consideration by a professional, and is included on the entry for that project, they cannot enter as a student, but instead must pay the appropriate professional entry fees. Student award recipients or their institutions from any NATAS Chapter’s high school or college competitions may not use the Emmy® name or replica of the Emmy® figure in any form of commercial advertising or promotion for their recognition.

SUBMISSION ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible, original entries must have been transmitted to the general public by a television station, a cable company, satellite, the Internet or other digital delivery medium. Eligibility is limited to digital and telecast/cablecast programming that was originally produced and intended for the Chapter’s regional or local audience during the Chapter’s eligibility year.

Broadcast and cablecast entries must have been produced and intended for a regional or local audience, within the Chapter’s designated awards area, and must have had their first transmission in that awards area during the eligibility period. Entries produced and intended for a wider audience (a national audience) should be submitted for consideration in NATAS’ national awards.

Video content distributed via the Internet must have been produced and intended for a regional or local audience within the Chapter’s designated awards area. Internet content intended for a wider audience (a national audience) should be submitted for consideration in NATAS’ national awards.   


Additional eligibility clarification notes:

  1. Local station news coverage that may receive national exposure should be submitted to regional Emmy® Award competitions.
  2. A documentary film that has a limited theatrical release at film festivals (showing on 50 or fewer screens in the U.S. over a one-year period) before telecast or being made available online is eligible provided the program content is of primary interest to the regional or local audience. Documentary films with a theatrical debut more than one year prior to its television or streaming debut will not be eligible.
  3. Local content that later receives national distribution may be submitted to either a Regional or a National Awards Competition, but not both.
  4. Materials provided by a news service, cooperative news association or similarsource must be treated as previously produced material unless it was originally intended for first release in the regional awards eligibility area to which it was submitted with on-site supervision by the entrant.
  5. Local segments that are eligible to participate as entries in National Emmy® Award competitions (i.e. News & Doc) may compete in both regional and national awards competitions under prevailing rules.

ORIGINAL MATERIAL

At least two-thirds of an entry must consist of original material, unless previously produced material has been given some unique and creative treatment that, in the opinion of the Chapter Awards Committee, results in new, original content.

Materials provided by a news service, cooperative news association or similar source must be treated as previously produced material, unless originally intended for first release in the Chapter’s regional awards eligibility area to which it was submitted with on-site supervision by the entrant.

CONTENT ELIGIBILITY

The interpretation of the Chapter Awards Committee is final and absolute. Entries must be submitted as originally shown. There may not be any post-broadcast changes except as noted in the category descriptions.

The following programming is not eligible:

  1. Pornographic, violent, defamatory, or offensive content.
  2. Previously aired programs, series or related craft content which aired and met eligibility requirements during a previous award year or another Emmy® competition.
  3. Program length commercials or infomercials.
  4. Closed circuit content or internal communications.
  5. Content from telethons, pledge breaks and/or programs with a unique call to action aired for the purposes of raising money for political parties, charities or other related causes.
  6. Motion picture content that premiered in general release to the public in theaters.
  7. Compilation reels, “clip shows” or “best of…” programs that were edited from original content.
  8. Any acquired foreign productions not originated in the United States.

ENTRY QUOTA

In order to sustain a high level of award excellence, Chapters must continue to self-regulate their entries, making sure only the appropriate individuals are recognized. To maintain this consistency, there is a maximum quota of 12 eligible names allowed on each entry. Any name(s) added beyond this number will require written authorization from the primary responsible entrant detailing the additional job title and responsibility. Chapters would then have the option of accepting these additional entrants or not.

CATEGORY VIABILITY

In the event that Administration and the Awards Committee deem a category non-viable due to insufficient number of entries, the category may be canceled or merged with another similar category. If a category is merged, entrants would have the option of dropping out of the competition and receiving a refund of their entry fees.

EXCERPTS

An excerpt is defined as a continuous segment or section from longer content.

Unless noted in the category description, no more than three (3) excerpts may be used to bring longer content to the specified category time limit.

For entries representing a program series, content must be included from multiple episodes of the series. A maximum of three (3) representative excerpts is permitted. One to two seconds of black, with no audio or slates, must be added to separate excerpts.

If the awards committee determines the content of any excerpt is ineligible, the entire entry will be ruled ineligible.

Removal of a commercial break between segments does not constitute a separate excerpt.

COMPOSITES

A composite is defined as a sampling of a minimum of two (2) and no more than five (5) representative segments or examples of work that convey to a judging panel the scope, breadth, or range of an individual’s talents within the specified craft category.

The elements within a composite, unless otherwise noted in the category description, are to be “as aired” with no post-distribution changes, such as additional edits, music or special effects. Composites may include stories or segments in their entirety and/or excerpts from longer content.

One to two seconds of black between cuts, with no audio or slates, must be added to separate segments within the composite.

DEMO REELS OR MONTAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED.

ENTRY PLACEMENT

When an entry’s content allows for a choice of category placement, the producer has the discretion to enter the material in the most appropriate content category in addition to any craft achievement categories where it is eligible.

However, certain rules must also be considered and followed:

  • No entry may be submitted to more than one Emmy awards competition (Regional or National).

      *Exception: Regional Emmy recipients in the Breaking News and Investigative Report categories are eligible for submission to the National News & Documentary competition under prevailing rules.

  • Different episodes from the same program or series can only be entered in one Emmy® Awards competition.
  • Entrants are not allowed to separate content from individual craft achievement and submit in multiple Emmy Awards competitions.
  • If the Chapter deems content ineligible, craft submissions related to that content would also be ineligible.
  • The first distribution of the entry is the primary determination of eligibility.

The Chapter reserves the right to disqualify outright or move any entry to a different entry category if in its judgment such action is warranted. Entries will not be accepted if no applicable category is found.

DOUBLE-DIPPING

No entry may be submitted in its entirety in more than one content category. No entrant may be recognized more than once for performing the same job function for the same content.

Exceptions are given for content that was part of a full newscast, or included as an excerpt in the Overall Excellence, News Excellence and Community Service categories. To be eligible for this exception in the newscast categories, the same entrant cannot be listed on the newscast entry and another entry.

Example:

An investigative reporter is listed on a newscast entry. Under this double-dipping rule, a portion of the newscast content could be entered in Investigative Report, but the same reporter cannot be listed as a reporter since their name already appeared on the newscast entry in that specified role.

If you enter a full program or episode from a series in a content category, you cannot also enter a segment from the same show in another content category.

Content produced as both a multi-part series and a full-length program may be entered only once, regardless of the amount of new material added. 

Example:

An investigative team does a three-part series within a newscast on gun control. Once the three parts have aired, and the same material re-purposed as a news or program special, the team would need to decide if they should enter the original series or the special, not both.


For Branded Franchise series, you may choose to submit up to five (5) representative segments from the series as a single entry in the appropriate category. If you enter the Branded Franchise as a series, you cannot also enter a segment from the same Franchise in another content category. However, if you do not submit the franchise as a series entry, you may submit individual segments in the appropriate categories.

Example:

Your franchise is “This Week’s Health Advice.” The specific subject matter varies from week to week with topics such as Heart Health Awareness, Mary’s Battle with Lupus, Dietary Tips, The Best Yoga Studios in Springfield. You may submit each segment separately as individual entries based on the subject matter. Alternatively, you may submit all 5 segments in the Health category as a single entry representing the franchise. However, if you submit the franchise as a single entry, you may not submit any individual segments from the franchise elsewhere.  

A single or multi episode full-length program, or a multi-part news series, all on the same subject, may only be entered in one content category. If the subject matter varies, different episodes from the same overall program series can be entered in other program categories as appropriate based on content. This exception does not apply to individual stories from a news series.

Examples:

Your entry is a four-part series, Saving the Bay. Part one of the series is entered in the Informational/Instructional category. Part three cannot be entered in the Environment category.

Your program is called Community Weekly, an on-going weekly series. Though it is basically a Public Affairs series, episode 204 may be about music, episode 216 about sports, while other episodes are more generic. Under our rules, episode 204 could be entered in an Entertainment category, while episode 216 could be entered in Sports.  Other episodes from the series could be entered in Public Affairs.

In situations where craft persons, like writers, photographers, editors, etc., served in multiple roles that significantly impacted the final product, they may be listed on content categories and/or craft achievement categories provided they don’t violate double-dipping guidelines.

Examples:

If a craft person is a writer/photographer on a documentary, they could enter the documentary in a program category listing themselves as only the writer. They could also enter the documentary (or a portion of it) in the photographer craft category, listing themselves as photographer only.

If they are not an entrant on the program entry, they could enter the writer and/or photographer craft categories, using the same material since they performed different job functions.

If they list themselves as both writer and photographer on the program entry, they are ineligible to enter either the writer or photographer craft categories.

They cannot enter either craft category using the dual job title since one craft category is only for writer and the other only for photographer.

ENTRY ERRORS AND OMISSIONS:

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences assumes no responsibility for the acts or omissions of those individuals or entities submitting entries pursuant to this notice. All submitting entities and/or individuals are advised to review submissions with respect to correct name credits and other information. NATAS shall accept all submissions that are not in conflict with any of its rules and regulations.

Once a Chapter’s award nominations are announced, there is a 10 calendar day grace period in which names, under extreme, special circumstances, can be added to a nominated entry. These requests should be authorized in writing to the Chapter from the person who submitted the entry or one entry nominees requesting this addition and detailing why this request should be granted. An individual may petition the Chapter directly if the situation warrants. The Chapter’s Awards Committee will make the final decision and ruling.

Once the Emmy® awards ceremony has concluded, NO individual names can be added to an awarded entry as an additional recipient, under any circumstances.

INTENTIONAL FALSIFICATION

The entrant warrants that they are the party most responsible for the award-worthiness of the entry. The intentional falsification of production credits or entry credits will result in disqualification.

Attempts to adjust show titles, airdates and/or descriptions of content in order to submit to multiple chapters or multiple categories, regardless of the circumstances, is prohibited.

DISQUALIFICATION

Ineligible entries may be disqualified during any phase of the competition.

COPYRIGHT

Each entrant agrees that any form of analog and/or digital recording, whether it be film, tape recording, screenshot or supplemental printed material that is furnished to NATAS in connection with an entry may be retained by NATAS for file, reference and archival purposes and may be viewed partially or in its entirety for judging purposes. All of, or portions of, said content may be used on or in connection with the awards ceremony, any broadcast/telecast and other exhibition, including internet; as well as with promotional announcements or activities for any of the foregoing. If required, the entrant is further responsible for approval and clearances to the appropriate parties for any use of this copyright content.

JUDGING PROCEDURE

Judging panels should be made up of no fewer than 6 qualified judges who shall be certified as peer judges, with no more than 3 of those judges from the same station or company. Whenever possible, it is preferred that the judging coordinator secure at least 8 qualified individuals to serve on a judging panel. Judges may not have a conflict of interest, which is described as having a direct involvement in the production of an entry, or having a personal relationship with a member of the production staff of an entry. Group ownership, by itself, does not necessarily create a conflict of interest.

NON-COMPETITIVE JUDGING

Entries are judged against a standard of excellence on their own merit and do not compete against each other. Craft entries are evaluated using a 1-10 scale each for Creativity and Execution. All other entries are scored using a 1-10 scale each for Content, Creativity and Execution. There may be one award, more than one award or no award given in each category. Any exceptions will be noted in the category description.

LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH

Spanish-language entries will be judged by a panel of Spanish-language media professionals who are bilingual or Spanish proficient.

Programs in languages other than English or Spanish may also be entered; however, judging of these entries in their native language is subject to the availability of qualified, peer judges who speak the language of the entry. Therefore, NATAS requires that these entrants submit their entries with English subtitles or with English on a second audio channel.

JUDGING REQUIREMENT

The success of the Emmy® Awards process depends on the willingness of qualified professionals to serve as judges. Peers in other NATAS Chapters are judging our Chapter’s entries. Our Chapter will judge other Chapters’ entries. By entering, you agree to serve as a judge when asked.

DISCLOSURE OF JUDGING RESULTS

In order to maintain fair, consistent peer judging without influence, judges must not disclose how they voted. If they ignore or abuse this privilege, their ballot will be disqualified and/or their judging status eliminated.

WHO RECEIVES THE AWARD? 

Producers, craft persons and other eligible entrants as listed on the entry form receive the Emmy® statuette.

Eligible entrants must have significant, creative, and hands-on involvement in the actual production of the video that is submitted. Roles peripheral to the actual video production (proposal/grant writing, research, fundraising, general supervision, etc.) are not substantial enough to be considered in this competition.

Executive Producers and management personnel (such as News Directors) are not eligible for Emmy® statuettes unless directly involved in the hands-on production of the work submitted. Those who serve in a managerial or supervisory role only should not be listed on the entry. To be considered, Executive Producers, General Managers, News Directors or other management personnel must have directly participated in the execution of the video. In such cases, a written request outlining the person’s involvement should be submitted via email to the Chapter’s awards committee for approval. Note: General Managers are statuette eligible for the Overall Excellence category. News Directors are statuette eligible for the News Excellence category.

In the Craft Achievement categories, those who actually perform a specific discipline receive the Emmy® statuette. Supervising or directing the work of others does not qualify except for achievements in directing categories.

Emmy® Awards are presented to individuals, not to their employers. It is the individual entrant’s achievement that is being judged and recognized, even if an employer pays entry fees.

Others who work on a nominated or recognized entry may order contributor certificates or plaques. Individuals who did not receive a statuette but were eligible for production certificates and/or plaques are not considered Emmy® recipients.

COMMEMORATIVE STATUETTES

As a courtesy, stations, studios, production companies and other Chapter-approved organizations may order a commemorative statuette for public display at their place of business. The statuette is engraved the same as the original Emmy® Award, with the word “commemorative” added. Neither the organization’s name nor any other special wording may be engraved in place of where the individual’s name and position would usually appear. Commemorative Emmy® statuettes cannot be ordered for individuals.

PROMOTION

All publicity, advertising or any written reference undertaken by nominees and award recipients to the Emmy® Awards, must clearly state that the awarded achievement is for a Regional Emmy® Award. The word “Regional” must appear in these instances. The recipient of a nomination or an Emmy® Award may refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that they have been honored only for one year after the recognition was bestowed. They may use a replica of the Emmy® statuette in such advertising. Individuals who significantly contributed to the production or craft but were not honored with a statuette cannot specifically advertise they are an Emmy® award recipient. They can only state they worked on the recognized program.

RULES FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE EMMY® STATUETTE

The Emmy® statuette is the property of and all rights are reserved by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Television Academy). The Emmy® statuette may not be reproduced or used in any commercial manner unless otherwise permitted by NATAS, it being understood that possession of the same is solely for the benefit of the recipient and the recipient’s heirs or successors in interest. If a recipient or the recipient’s heir or successor in interest proposes to sell, loan, donate  or otherwise dispose of the Emmy® statuette, such persons shall be obligated to return the statuette to The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences which will retain the same in storage in memory of the recipient.

A ® registration mark and the appropriate copyright notice: © NATAS/Television Academy must accompany any portrayal of the Emmy® statuette or moniker.

NEWS CONTENT

News content categories are intended for journalistic material produced by news departments within television stations, newspapers, or online news reporting entities. 

Producers should be the primary entrants for these categories. Qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. Submitters who created work as part of media pool coverage can only enter their material once and must clearly identify their contributions on the entry. 

NEWS CONTENT

News content categories are intended for journalistic material produced by news departments within television stations, newspapers, or online news reporting entities.

Producers should be the primary entrants for these categories. Qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. Submitters who created work as part of media pool coverage can only enter their material once and must clearly identify their contributions on the entry.

NEWSCASTS

For excellence in a regularly scheduled newscast. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. For newscasts that exceed the 30-minute category time limit entrant may submit up to 3 excerpts. Time Limit: 30 minutes.

  1. Evening Newscast
    A. Larger Markets (San Diego, Las Vegas)
    B. Smaller Markets (Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Palm Springs)
  2. Morning/Daytime Newscast
    A. Larger Markets (San Diego, Las Vegas)
    B. Smaller Markets (Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Palm Springs)
  3. Weekend Newscast
    A. Larger Markets (San Diego, Las Vegas)
    B. Smaller Markets (Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Palm Springs)

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
(Multiple Recipients)

One award, more than one award or no award is given to those person(s) directly responsible for the content and execution of the material presented in the entry.

  1. Journalistic Enterprise
    For excellence in the continuing endeavor of high journalistic enterprise, which may include investigative pieces, breaking news, features, profiles, interviews, documentaries, etc. Composite entry may include a maximum of 5 different stories. The airdate and length of each story must be submitted with the entry. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
    NOTE: This category is not exempt from double-dipping rules.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
(Single Recipient)

One award, more than one award or no award is given only to the primary recipient listed on each category. Others who may have contributed to the content and execution of the material presented in the entry may purchase plaques to commemorate their participation.

  1. Overall Excellence
    Awarded to the President/General Manager only for excellence in the overall operations of a television station, news/sports cable system or online media outlet, during the eligibility period. Entry should reflect the organization’s overall local product including any news & sports coverage, other locally produced programs, promotional announcements, on-air examples of events hosted by the organization and involvement in the community, and any further evidence of excellence. Entry should emphasize the quality, breadth, and efficacy of the organization’s operations, stressing substance rather than style, and exhibit performance in sustaining excellence throughout the eligibility year. Exempt from the excerpt and composite limits, but the entry must be comprised only of material as actually aired. No introductions, post production, montages, music or special effects may be added. This is not intended to be a “buzz” or demo reel. Entry should include a one-page, written synopsis of the organization’s operation, product, accomplishments, and achievements. Time limit: 30 minutes.
    NOTE: This category is exempt from double-dipping rules.

News content categories are intended for journalistic material produced by news departments within television stations, newspapers, or online news reporting entities.

Producers should be the primary entrants for these categories. Qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. Submitters who created work as part of media pool coverage can only enter their material once and must clearly identify their contributions on the entry.

NEWS GATHERING

  1. Team Coverage
    For excellence by a team involved in covering multiple news reports on a single subject, shot, edited, produced, and broadcast or streamed within 24 hours. Entry may include multiple live and/or recorded elements and online video content. Entry may be a single, continuous report or a composite of multiple reports or elements. Exempt from composite and excerpt limit rules. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
    NOTE: As a team entry, multiple entrants must be listed on the entry form.
  2. Breaking or Spot News
    A. Single Report
    For excellence in coverage of a single unanticipated news event. Entry should convey a sense of immediacy in the coverage of an unfolding event. Entry must be one continuous report as originally broadcast or streamed. Entry may include live or taped elements or a combination of both. Time Limit: 15 minutes.
    B. Multiple Reports
    For excellence in coverage of a single unanticipated news event. Entry should convey a sense of immediacy in the coverage of an unfolding event. Entry should be a composite of at least two (2) reports on the same topic – as they were originally broadcast or streamed. Exempt from composite and excerpt limit rules. Entry may include live or taped elements and online video content. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
    NOTE: Regional recipients in this category are eligible, at their discretion, to compete for a crystal pillar in the National News and Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story – Breaking News.
  3. Daily News Report Single Shift
    For excellence in coverage of a single news story or topic which is shot, edited and aired within one work shift. Entry may include live and/or recorded elements and online video content. Topic covered must not be considered a news investigative report or news specialty report. Time Limit: 10 minutes.
    NOTE: This is the basic news reporting done day-in and day-out by a news department. Entries in this category typically evolve out of the daily planning of a newscast or other news distribution product.
  4. Investigative-Single Report/ Multiple Reports
    For excellence in a single or a series of reports covering one investigation focused on one specific community problem requiring research and investigative journalism. Entry will be judged on the quality and extent of research, the presentation, and the impact of the reporting, which may include new legislation, policies, government or legal investigations, public outcry, etc. Entry must include written documentation in the synopsis section of the online entry form. Single report time limit: 15 minutes. Multiple reports time limit 30 minutes. Multiple entry must include a minimum of two reports.
    NOTE: Regional recipients in this category are eligible, at their discretion, to compete for a crystal pillar in the National News and Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story Investigative Report.
  5. News Special
    For excellence in coverage of a one-time-only, significant, newsworthy event, occasion or topic. Subject should be an in-depth treatment of a current topic. Time Limit: 60 minutes.

SPECIALTY CONTENT

Producers should be the primary entrants for Specialty Content categories. Qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness.

News content is only eligible in the appropriate News subcategories.

For single News entries the original video and submission length must not exceed 10 minutes.

For single News and Short Form Content entries, the original video and submission length must not exceed 10 minutes.

For Long Form Content entries, the original video must be longer than 10 minutes. Submission length may not exceed 30 minutes. No more than three (3) excerpts may be used to bring longer content to the 30-minute time limit. Excerpts must be presented in original, chronological order.

Series entries are eligible and must include a minimum of two (2) but no more than five (5) separate segments from the series. Total submission time limit for News Content series entries may not exceed 15 minutes.

Submitters who created work as part of media pool coverage can only enter their material once and must clearly identify their contributions on the entry.

  1. Arts/Entertainment
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of general entertainment, variety or visual and performing arts.
    A. News
    For excellence in content about general entertainment variety or visual and performing arts.
    B. Short or Long Form Content
  2. Border Issues-News
    For excellence in coverage of topics that impact the region on both sides of the international border. Stories are to be of a serious nature. Human Interest or Light Features should be entered in those respective categories.
  3. Business/Consumer-News
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of business, finance, consumer affairs or economic topics.
  4. Crime-News
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of crime, violations of the law or criminal justice related topics.
  5. Education/Schools
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of schools, teaching or education related topics.
    A. News
    For excellence in content about schools, teaching or education topics.
    B. Short or Long Form Content
  6. Environment/Science-News
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of environmental impact issues, science or related topics.
  7. Health/Medical
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of health or medical related topics.
    A. News
    For excellence in content about health or medical related topics.
    B. Short or Long Form Content
  8. Historical/Cultural
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage about historical or cultural related topics.
    A. News
    For excellence in content about historical or cultural related topics.
    B. Short or Long Form Content
  9. Human Interest
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of stories that appeal to the human spirit.
    A. News (single shift)
    B. News (no time limit)
  10. Politics/Government-News
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of political, civil or government related topics.
  11. Religion
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of religious and/or spiritual related topics.
    A. News
    For excellence in content about religious and or spiritual topics.
    B. Short Form/Long Form Content
  12. Military
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of military related topics
    A. News
    For excellence in content about military related topics.
    B. Short or Long Form Content
  13. Technology-News
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of technology industry stories and related topics.
  14. Lifestyle
    For excellence in news or journalistic content that deals with everyday life subjects such as: food preparation, recipes, techniques, home improvements, decoration, renovation, gardening, outdoors, crafts and or automotive repairs.
    A. News
    For excellence in content that deals with everyday life subjects such as: food preparation, recipes, techniques, home improvements, decoration, renovation, gardening, outdoors, crafts and or automotive repairs.
    B. Short or Long Form Content

SPORTS CONTENT

Producers should be the primary entrants for Sports Content categories. Qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness.

Sports News content is only eligible in the appropriate News subcategories.

For Short Form Content the original video must not exceed 10 minutes.

For Long Form Content and Program entries, the original video must be longer than 10 minutes and submission length may not exceed 30. No more than three (3) excerpts may be included to bring longer content to the 30-minute time limit (exception: Sporting Event/Game Live Broadcast.) Excerpts must be presented in original, chronological order.

Series entries are eligible and must include a minimum of two (2) but no more than five (5) separate segments from the series. Total submission time limit for News and Short Form Content series entries may not exceed 15 minutes. Long Form Content series entries may not exceed 30 minutes.

  1. Sports Story
    For excellence in news or journalistic coverage of sports, athletes, coaches and other related topics.
    A. News
    B. News Feature
  2. Sports Program
    For excellence in a sports program or series. Entry must have, as its basis, special coverage not to be taken from a newscast, including but not limited to pregame and postgame shows surrounding live sporting events. Entry may include multi-camera and pre-produced segments that cover the full spectrum of the event. Entry may have no post broadcast edits except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc.
  3. Live Sporting Event/Game-Single Game
    For excellence in production of a single program (live or recorded live) sporting event or game. A composite is required and should include examples of: Show Open, Graphics Package, Use of Replays, Inserted Pre-Produced Segments, Use of Statistical or Other Prepared Material, Highlights, Standard Coverage (e.g. Routine Innings or Downs) and any additional material at entrant’s discretion. Entry may include no more than eight (8) excerpts to bring the entry down to the 30-minute time limit.

PROGRAM CONTENT

Producers should be the primary entrants for Program Content categories. Qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. Submitters who created work as part of media pool coverage can only enter their material once and must clearly identify their contributions on the entry.

Unless otherwise noted, the time limit for any program or long form content category is 30 minutes. A maximum of three (3) segments/excerpts is permitted to bring longer programs to the required entry time limit. For program or long-form series entries, the entry must include excerpts from at least two (2) episodes from the series.

  1. Documentary
    For excellence in the creation of a formal, structured television presentation with dramatic impact of an event, condition, or situation of current, cultural and/or historical significance. Time limit: 60 minutes.
  2. Interview/Discussion
    For excellence in content that consists of interview/discussion material that is at least 75% unscripted. This category is primarily intended for formal interviews where both the interviewer(s) and the interviewee(s) are visible on camera and engaged in discussion-Short Form/ Long Form.
  5. Informational/Instructional
    For excellence in content whose purpose is to be instructional; to teach formally or informally about a subject.
  6. Magazine Program
    For excellence in a program or series consisting of various stories of regional interest designed to entertain and inform. Time limit: 30 minutes.
  9. Public Affairs Program
    For excellence in a program or series that focuses on current community, social or political issues that are of general public interest or concern. Time limit: 30 minutes.
  10. Special Event Coverage
    For excellence in coverage of a one-time-only, anticipated community or entertainment event live or edited such as a parade, holiday fireworks or a funeral procession. Entry may include multi-cameras and pre-produced segments that cover the full spectrum of the event. Live entries should include at least 75% live material, with no post edits. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
  12. Branded Content
    For excellence in a complete, stand-alone, content-based program which tells a story and includes some visual branding, product placement or overt mention of the entity at the center of the production. For example, a medical program produced by/for a hospital. Program may not contain a call for commerce. Website URLs or requests to follow social media accounts do not constitute calls for commerce. Program length commercials (infomercials) are not eligible.
    A. Short Form Content (up to 10 minutes)
    B. Long Form Content (longer than 10 minutes)

SPOT ANNOUNCEMENTS

For excellence in promotional, commercial, or public service announcements. Entries must be regionally conceived, produced and distributed. Spots that contain more than 50% of network or syndicator-provided material do not qualify. Music, graphics and pre-edited video constitute such material. Spots may be 5 seconds to 2 minutes in length, except for the Promotional Trailer category. If a campaign is entered, a maximum of five (5) spots may be included which are edited together for a single video upload. If a campaign is entered, no spots from that same campaign may be submitted in a single-spot category.

  1. Public Service Announcement
    For excellence in announcements that effectively create awareness, focus interest on or marshal support for worthy community causes or organizations.
  2. Promotion
    For excellence in announcements that promote news departments within television stations, newspapers, or online news reporting entities and/or content produced by those entities. This includes promotion of or teases for specific news stories, breaking news or weather, sports content within newscasts, news specials, news image and on-air news/weather/sports anchors and reporters.
    A. News Promotion – Topical (Single Spot)
    B. News Promotion – Image (Single Spot)
    C. News Promotion – Campaign

For excellence in announcements that promote content produced outside the news department. This includes spots that promote a broader station/company image as well as regionally produced spots for network, local and/or syndicated programming.
D. Image Promotion (Single Spot)
E. Promotional Campaign
F. Promotional Trailer
NOTE: May be 5 seconds to 5 minutes in length.

  1. Commercial
    For excellence in commercial production advertising a product, business or service that is conceived, written, created, and produced in and for the regional market. Program length commercials (infomercials) are not eligible.
    A. Single Spot
    B. Campaign

 CRAFT ACHIEVEMENT

For excellence in a specific craft discipline demonstrating the skills of one or more individuals. Each entry may contain a single example of the craft or a composite of material as originally distributed.While craft entrants may submit more than one entry per craft discipline, only one of those entries may be a composite. Elements of the composite may not be separately entered as individual craft entries in the same craft category. Craft awards are intended for hands-on craft persons, not those who supervise craft persons. Time Limit: 15 minutes (unless otherwise indicated.)

persons, not those who supervise craft persons. Time Limit: 15 minutes (unless otherwise indicated.)

  1. Graphic Arts
    Entries must contain graphical elements originally created for regional markets. Re-purposed content from national sources is not eligible. Graphics Composites may include more than 5 examples of work, for up to five minutes of entry video, as long as each example is separated by one second of black and there is no other post-production to the entry.
    A. Motion Graphics
    B. Visual Effects
    For excellence in creating or manipulating imagery digitally.
    C. Compositing
    Rotoscoping and Blending visual elements with practical imagery.
    NOTE: Entry may include a before and after video to demonstrate the craft that might not be evident by only seeing the final product (ex. Removing a billboard, fixing a dent on a car bumper, adding trees to a landscape.)
    D. Art Direction
  2. Set Design
  3. Audio
  5. Musical Composition/Arrangement
  6. Director
    A. Newscast (PL Track is Preferred)
    Commercial breaks may be included if direction is given during those breaks but is not mandatory. This category also includes APC operators utilizing a switcher automation program like Ignite ENPS, Ross Overdrive or similar system.
    B. Live or Recorded Live (PL Track is Preferred) Commercial breaks may be included if direction is given during those breaks but is not mandatory.
    C. Short Form Content (under 10 minutes)
    D. Long Form Content (longer than 10 minutes; Post-Produced)
    F. Technical Director (Single individual manually switching a program or utilizing a switcher automation program. Entry may not be entered in any other Director category.)
  7. Editor
    A. News – Single Shift (within 24 hours)
    B. News – No Production Time Limit
    C. Short Form Content (under 10 minutes)
    D. Long Form Content (longer than 10 minutes)
    E. Spot Announcement
  8. Lighting
  10. Talent
    For Anchor categories only: A segment is an excerpt from a news program (newscast, news special, breaking news, etc.) with the material that doesn’t include the entrant edited out. An entry may include up to five segments. Each segment can include material from only ONE news program: think of this as “five segments equals five changes of clothing” rule. Entrants may not cherry-pick short segments from various points throughout the program and edit those together; that would be a montage. It’s allowed, but not required, for the co-anchor’s and reporters’ video to be edited out of a segment. Anchor entries may include examples of studio anchoring, field anchoring, specials, breaking, etc., but NOT reporter packages (if an anchor also does reporter packages, they must enter those in one of the reporter categories.)
    A. Anchor – News
    B. Reporter
    C. Anchor – Sports
    D. Reporter – Sports
    E. Anchor – Weather
    F. Program Host/ Moderator/ Correspondent
    G. Performer/ Narrator
    H. Reporter – Live
  12. Photographer
    A. News
    B. Short Form Content (under 10 minutes)
    C. Long Form Content (longer than 10 minutes)
    D. Spot Announcement
  13. Video Essay
    For excellence by a single individual telling a single or multi-part story. The video essay creator is the photographer and editor, weaving together elements captured in the field to tell the story without a reporter, narrator or host. Entry may not be entered in any other craft category.
  15. Writer
    NOTE: Script preferred for all writer categories.
    A. News
    B. Short Form Content (under 10 minutes)
    C. Long Form Content (longer than 10 minutes)
  17. Video Journalist
    For excellence by a cross-discipline individual, serving as photojournalist, editor, talent, and writer; covering a single or multi-part story or topic. Entry may not be entered in any other craft category.
    A. Single Shift
    B. No Production Time Limit

REGIONAL AWARDS MANUAL

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Branded Franchise Series
Short form content that includes multiple installments, all of which fit under a unifying theme.
Examples: “Tom’s Financial Tips” that air every Wednesday night on a local newscast, “Reports From the Border” that post on a local news website over a 6-month period

Call for Entries
The document that provides information related to the Emmy® Awards contests, including rules, guidelines and categories.

Chapter Awards Committee
A committee that oversees the Regional Emmy® Awards contest within a particular NATAS chapter. This committee has the final say on selecting categories for the chapter Call for Entries, determining content and entrant eligibility and reviewing judges’ challenges (among other duties.)

Clip Shows and “Best Of” Programs
Programs or other content that consist of previously aired material in the form of a “year in review” special or a collection of Branded Content Series pieces. These are NOT eligible for Regional Emmy Awards contents.

Closed Circuit Content
Content that is only available to a select and limited audience via distribution on a closed circuit (hospitals, in flight entertainment, hotels, doctor’s offices, private companies, etc.)
Video content transmitted in a public sports venue, arena or stadium is not considered distribution on a closed circuit and is eligible in content and craft categories.

Composite
A sampling of a minimum of two (2) and no more than five (5) representative segments or examples of work that convey to a judging panel the scope, breadth, or range of an individual’s talents within the specified craft category. The elements within a composite, unless otherwise noted in the category description, are to be “as aired” with no post-distribution changes, such as additional edits, music or special effects. Composites may include stories or segments in their entirety and/or excerpts from longer content. One to two seconds of black between cuts, with no audio or slates, must be added to separate segments within the composite.

Conflict of Interest
Having a direct involvement or vested interest in the production of an entry, or having a personal relationship with an entrant. Judges may NOT judge entries in which any of these criteria are met. Group ownership, by itself, does not create a conflict of interest. Examples: A producer working for a station owned by TEGNA in one market is not prohibited from judging an entry produced by another TEGNA-owned station in another chapter. NBC Sports Chicago personnel are not prohibited from serving as judges for entries produced by NBC Sports Bay Area.

Content Category
A category for which there are three (3) areas of excellence being considered in the judging process: Content, Creativity and Execution. Our chapter’s content categories are 1 – 42.
(also see: Craft Category)

Craft Category
A category for which there are two (2) areas of excellence being considered in the judging process: Creativity and Execution. These categories focus solely on the craft designated for each (photography, editing, talent, etc.) Our chapter’s craft categories are 47-62. (also see: Content Category)

Demo Reels / Montages
Short examples edited from content that showcases your work. Demo reels or montages often include shorter excerpts from the original video that may or may not have added music, graphics and/or special effects.
Example: A photographer cannot take short segments from original content and edit those pieces together for a composite submission in the craft category.

Distribution
The process of getting video content from a producer to a viewer. This may include being broadcast on a television or cable station, streamed on a website or app, posted on a company website or social media account.

Double-Dipping
Any entry submitted in its entirety in more than one content category or instance of any entrant submitting work in an attempt to be recognized more than once for performing the same job function for the same content.
See specific examples of double-dipping in the RULES section of this Call for Entries.

Eligibility Window
Period of time in which any content must have been produced to be eligible for entry in this regional Emmy® Awards contest. This window varies among NATAS chapters and will be prominently displayed in each Call for Entries.

Emmy® Award
The most prestigious peer-judged award recognizing excellence in professional achievement with annual awards of merit in the television industry through extensive, confidential peer review of broadcast work and related media.

Entrant
Individual whose work has been submitted for consideration in a regional Emmy® Award contest.

Excerpt
A continuous segment or section from longer content, excerpts are used to bring longer content to the specified category time limit.

Feature
While still journalistic in nature, this content takes less of a hard news tone while incorporating strong storytelling. It may be a serious or lighter subject. The story construction and personality of the interviewees are highlighted in a feature story. Feature news stories often run a bit longer and may not have an immediate time peg.

Hard News
Classic, fact-gathering and reporting. Should include a news hook and timely peg.

Infomercials
A program or long form content that promotes a product, service or idea and includes a call to commerce.

Job Title vs Role on Entry
Job title is the word or words under your name on a business card that indicate(s) what job position you hold within the organization for which you work.
Role on Entry is the particular function you performed on an Emmy® Award entry.
Many of these are similar or even the same (Producer, Photographer, Editor) while some job titles (Executive Producer, Chief Creative Officer, Assignment Desk Editor) don’t directly translate to a tangible job function performed during the production process. Entrants often perform roles on an entry that aren’t a part of their job title (a producer who edits, a director who writes, a photographer who lights the set, an editor who produces.)
For the purposes of regional Emmy® Award statuette eligibility, Role on Entry is the determining factor over Job Title.

Journalistic / Journalistic Coverage
Method of coverage that considers all sides fairly, reporting without bias or persuasion.

Key Contributor
One whose work on a production was significant enough to be considered eligible for a regional Emmy® Award statuette. In the estimation of the entry submitter, the entry would not have been award-worthy without this person’s contributions.

Long Form Content
Video production that exceeds 10 minutes in length. These subcategories are the intended home for content that previously would have been submitted in Program categories or sub-categories, as well as longer segment or feature categories or sub-categories and online content that meets other eligibility criteria.

Member
One who has completed the membership process in one of the 19 regional NATAS chapters.
(Membership is not required to enter regional Emmy® Awards contests)

NATAS
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) was founded in 1955. It is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award.
Regional Emmy® Awards are given in nineteen regions across the United States.  National Awards are given for Daytime Entertainment, News & Documentary, Community Service, Sports and Technology & Engineering.
Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including Regional Student Production Awards for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public.

National Awards
The Daytime, News & Documentary, Community Service, Sports and Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards contests are held annually and open to all entrants whose work meets eligibility criteria.

National Awards Committee
As outlined in the NATAS bylaws, this group of people administers the policy and structure of the National and Regional Emmy® Awards process. Its membership consists of representatives from each of the National Awards constituencies as well as regional/chapter reps.

News Series
Multiple reports that build on the same subject or news story.

One-Time Special
A stand-alone program or content that is not part of a larger series of content.

Original Air Date
The date that content was first made available (aired or otherwise distributed) to the general public.

Peer Judging
The process by which Emmy® Awards entries are reviewed by professionals of like disciplines for the purpose of determining award-worthiness. Entries are judged against a standard of excellence and not each other.

Podcast
A digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to or streaming on a computer or mobile device. Audio-only Podcasts are not eligible for Emmy® Award consideration. Podcasts that also include a video element would be eligible for regional entry as long as they are in compliance with all other requirements.

Primary Interest
A term used to help determine eligibility of content for regional Emmy® Awards contests. This was previously used as the standard of eligibility, but has been replaced with the phrase “produced and intended for a regional or local audience,” as the National Awards Committee determined this was more effectively measured and determined.

Program
A traditional content format used in broadcast and cable television. In order to be more inclusive of content delivered via non-traditional means, the term Long Form Content is being used in most applications that were previously referred to as Programs. Certain categories (Documentary, Sports Program, Magazine Program) have retained the term where the traditional definition remains applicable.

Program Series
Multiple episodes of a program with similar subject matter or an overall unifying theme.

Recipient
One who receives a regional Emmy® Award. As regional entries are judged against a standard of excellence and not each other, there may be no recipient, one recipient or more than one recipient in a given category. Honorees in the National Emmy® Award contests are referred to as “winners” since only one entry is awarded in each category, with the exception of ties.

Regional Awards Manual
The document that sets forth the rules and available categories for each regional chapter’s Call For Entries. It also includes a section of Chapter Guidance and this Glossary of Terms.

Segment
A section of video content that could be part of a program or entry.

Series
Multiple installments of similar and related content.
(also see: News Series and Program Series)

Short Form Content
Video production that is no more than 10 minutes in length. These subcategories are the intended home for content that previously would have been submitted in Program Feature or Segment categories or sub-categories, as well as online content that meets other eligibility criteria.

Single Shift
This is defined as the time between when a work shift begins and ends (could be a normal work shift or an extended, breaking-news type of shift). This term is replacing the previously-used “within 24 hours” as a way to separate longer term projects and productions from those completed within one work shift.

Student Production Awards
Crystal pillars presented to recipients of separate contests among high school and college students, with the intention to recognize outstanding student achievements in production. Rules and category options for Student Production Awards are outlined in the Regional Awards Manual.

Student Productions
Content conceived and created by full-time students at a university, college, technical/vocational school or high school. Student Productions may not include any professional services and faculty involvement can only be advisory.

Submission Length
Exact runtime of an entry video.

Submitter
Person who completes the process of entry in a regional Emmy® Award contest. This person may also be an entrant but is not required to.

Syndicated
Content that is licensed for distribution on multiple broadcast or online outlets and available for consumption in multiple geographic locations.

Time Limit
The maximum amount of time allowed. A chapter call for entries will include two (2) types of time limits: Entry Time Limit and Production Time Limit.
Entry Time Limit: maximum length allowed for an entry, this varies among categories
Production Time Limit: maximum length allowed to produce an entry, which may be indicated in hours or the term Single Shift.

Unique and Creative Treatment
When an entry includes previously produced material, it is only eligible if its use is significantly different from any previous use of the same material.