Background: One study reported 37 percent of teachers plan to leave their current school, or the profession altogether, in the next four years. Prompt: How do we retain teachers, and why is it important? Requirement: The story cannot begin or end with a reporter stand-up.
Feature Story
Prompt: It’s just an urban legend…or is it? Required: The reporter must do a stand-up at some point using a prop that pertains to the legend. Note: The scope of the story can be local, but does not have to be.
Novice Feature Story
Prompt: These wheels are a huge part of my life. Required: A low angle of wheels passing by (or just spinning).
Sports Story
Prompt: The loss I still feel today. Note: A memorable sports loss suffered as a player, a fan, a coach, or a parent. Restriction: No archival audio or video footage may be used, but archival headlines, articles, and/or photos are allowed if you have permission.
NAT Package
Prompt: It’s more than a hobby to me. Required: No digital transitions allowed (i.e. dissolves, wipes, etc.). Cuts-only edits.
Commentary
Prompt: Learning from failure is part of growing up. Limitation: Only one person appearing on camera at a time.
Vlog
Prompt: These are a few of my favorite things. Required: Tell us about at least four “things.” Stipulation: One of the favorite “things” must be alive.
Silent Film
Prompt: Uh oh. We’re being followed. Limitation: No signs may be created for this film, and no graphics can be used/added.
Short Film
Prompt: The story begins in the middle of an interrogation (by a policeman, a detective, a teacher, a principal, any person of authority) Required element: Must incorporate a flashback scene of no more than 30 seconds. Prop: A broken pencil.
Commercial
Product you are selling: A new medication (i.e. a pill, a patch, a mixture) that prevents procrastination. Requirements: A reflection shot. Include your own original logo/name for the product.
Novice Commercial
Product you are selling: An eight-hour energy drink for teens. Requirements: You must include a reminder (either in narration or in a graphic) that it is made from all-natural ingredients. Include your own original logo/name for the product.
Music Video
Choose one of three provided songs. Download provided song and lyrics here. Requirements: A slow motion sequence, no more than 15 seconds. You must use the entire song and can not edit the song.
Podcast Segment
Prompt: “A High School Survival Guide: Advice on dealing with common high school challenges” Required: Feature at least two people with stories or thoughts to share. This can be an interview, or a narrative piece.
PSA
Prompt: Too much sugar can lead to problems. Background: Adolescents consume more sugar-sweetened beverages than any other age group. Requirements: Focus on teens and sugar. Come up with a catchy slogan or tagline.
Vertical Feature Story
Prompt: I never knew this place existed. Required: Must include a POV shot.
Vertical Short Film
Prompt: Wait—are we lost at our own school? Required element: The story ends on a freeze frame. Note: You may shoot in your school OR on your campus.
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMPTS
News Story
Prompt: Some teachers have unique, but effective methods for reaching students. Limitation: You may not include your broadcast or video teacher(s).
Feature Story
Prompt: Small acts of kindness can make a difference. Required: At least two students must be interviewed.
Sports Story
Prompt: Some kids enjoy a sport not sponsored by the school. Required: Start the story with a natural sound of the sport.
Nat Package
Prompt: It’s a job many of us take for granted. Required: At least one extreme close-up.
Short Film
Prompt: We have a mystery to solve. Required: A clue found in a three-word text message.
Commercial
Product you are selling: A new soft drink with “extra fizz.” Requirements: A short jingle must be part of the commercial. Include your own original logo/name.
Music Video
Choose one of three provided songs. Download provided song and lyrics here. Requirements: At least three of the W-A-L-L-D-O (wide-angled-low-linking-depth-opposite) shots must be used in the video. You must use the entire song and can not edit the song.
PSA
Prompt: Do some research and create a PSA about avoiding Photokeratitis. Background: Photokeratitis is eye damage resulting from UV exposure. Required: Come up with a catchy slogan or tagline.
Vertical Short Film
Prompt: Wait—are we lost at our own school? Required element: The story ends on a freeze frame. Note: You may shoot in your school OR on your campus.
