The "live" communication contest is designed for teams of college students from TECA affiliated chapters.  The competing teams will receive a description of a product, service, or organization plus essential marketing or demographic information . . . . then produce a video commercial or feature.  The teams must develop a storyboard and produce the required feature.

TEAM:

Each team will consist of three to six students who are members in good standing of a TECA affiliated chapter.  The members may be either full-time undergraduate or graduate students but no more than two graduate students can serve on a team.
 

PROCEDURES:

1.  The team must check in at a designated time and place to receive the "challenge" and contest forms for the competition.  These materials will include blank Storyboard forms and related materials.  Typically each team will deliver their completed tape 12­24 hours later, as determined by the conference schedule and judges.

2.  Each team shall produce and deliver a:
a.  Preliminary and final Storyboard forms for a video feature or commercial
b.  VHS videotape of the commercial or feature
c.  SPECIAL NOTE: Starting with the 2002 / 2003 TECA Regional Events, teams may turn in completed video’s using digital technology as long as they also provide a means of playback for judges and the viewing audience.  The final production must be able to be viewed using the monitor(s) on­site.

3.  Each team must work with equipment they have transported to the competition.  No "permanent" video production facilities will be provided at the site, nor may any local off­site facilities be used.

4.  A preliminary set of Storyboard forms must be submitted at a time and place specified by the judges (approximately 3-12 hours into the competition). Since these forms are important planning tools, the completed videotape should not differ significantly from the plan laid out in the preliminary Storyboard. Slightly revised (or "polished") final Storyboard forms may be submitted along with the completed video.

5.  Storyboards forms may be developed using the form provided, or either / both may be produced using computers.  If these are reproduced digitally, the format should be identical to the forms provided.  Graphics may be hand-drawn or created digitally.  Since the emphasis is on communication, teams should use whatever techniques allow them to communicate most effectively.

6.  Pre-recorded audio may be used, but no prerecorded video (analog or digital) may be incorporated into the solution.  If prerecorded audio is used, teams are encouraged to use copyright-free audio.  Audio may be generated with computers, midi devices, etc.

7.  The final videotaped commercial or feature must be queued to the beginning of the version to be judged.  The name of the school must be clearly written on the outside of the videotape and box (if there is a box).

8.  Solutions turned in late will be penalized 10 points for each 30 minutes of elapsed time (or portion thereof) beyond the deadline.

9.  Programs may run 2 seconds over or under the designated time allotment.  Programs that are too long or too short will be penalized 5 points for each 2 second interval that they run over or under the allotted time.

NOTE: Credits (e.g. contestant’s names, date, notes of appreciation, etc.) are not necessary.  If they are added after the end of the production, please leave an adequate separation between the main program and any credits to avoid confusion with listed time constraints.

MATERIALS:

The following must be provided by the individual teams:

    VHS blank videotape is preferred    ( Please use standard VHS format, or provide a means to view a digital recording)
    Props, costumes, backdrops, etc.
    Camera
    Video cassette recorder & monitor (optional)

The following will be provided by the conference organizers:

    Storyboard forms
    Onsite VHS player and monitor

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Each team's commercial will be judged on the following criteria:

1. Planning the Message - Total of 50 points

    a. Storyboard forms (20 pts.)
        Format and quality
        Thoroughness
        Match between preliminary & final product

    b. Design of the audio component (15 pts.)
        Narration / voice-over’s appropriate
        Addition of music, sound effects. etc.

    c. Design of the visual component (15 pts.)
        Visual message "fits" the assigned theme
        Clearly communicates

2.  Communicating the Message (i.e., the completed video*) - Total of 50 points
    a. Concept / format (10 pts.)
        Appropriateness
        Development
        Technical sophistication

    b. Efforts of on­screen and / or behind­the­scenes talent (10 pts.)
        Voice quality
        Facial expression / on-screen presence

    c. Technical aspects of the final production (15 pts.)
        Video quality
        Audio quality
        Editing quality

    d. Overall message impact (15 pts.)
        Persuasiveness
        General impression
 

TOTAL POINTS - 100 points
 

*IMPORTANT NOTE: All completed video’s from the communication contest are typically kept by TECA officials until an appropriate time of release.