Chapter Rules & FAQ
The Lone Star EMMY Chapter Excellence in My Market Awards are presented for excellence in television programming and individual craft achievement in the television arts, and will accept EMMA entries from all television markets in Texas, excluding Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. All entries must be broadcast or cablecast for the first time during the period from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007. No entry may be submitted to another chapter's awards.
If, in the opinion of the Peer Judging Panel, an entry is submitted in an inappropriate awards category, it will be referred to the Awards Committee which reserves the right to change the category in which any entry is to be
judged; or to disqualify the entry.
Entry in the Lone Star Chapter Emmy Awards gives The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences the right to broadcast, cablecast, or post online winning entries.
What are the EMMAs?
The Lone Star Emmy Chapter is proud to offer a groundbreaking new award on behalf of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The Excellence in My Market Awards will recognize television excellence produced in those markets ranging in size from Harlingen/Weslaco/Brownsville/McAllen (#88) to Victoria, Texas (#205).
They may not have the extensive resources found in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio or Austin, but television professionals in these markets often produce content head and shoulders above that found in the top 10. In recognition of those individual efforts, entries in the 2008 Lone Star EMMAs will be held to the same Standard of Excellence exemplified by the National Television Academy’s Emmy Awards, yet will be judged ONLY by qualified peer-judges from similar-sized television markets in other NATAS chapters.
Entries in the 2008 Excellence in My Market Awards must be originally broadcast between January 1st, 2007 and December 31st, 2007. Recipients honored with the Lone Star EMMA Crystal Tower will have their entries submitted at no fee in the 2008 EMMY Awards.
What is the Award?
Stunning, custom-designed Lone Star EMMA Crystal Towers engraved with the Emmy image will be awarded to the honored entries. Each winning entry shall receive ONE (1) EMMA Crystal Tower, with the opportunity for those properly listed on the entry form to purchase additional towers engraved with their own name.
May I enter the same material in both the EMMA’s and the traditional EMMYs?
Yes, as long as the entry material meets all the appropriate rules in each Call for Entries. EMMA entries honored with the Lone Star EMMA Crystal Tower which originally aired during the proper Emmy Awards Cycle will automatically advance to the Lone Star EMMY Awards process, at no additional cost.
In the event that a “forwarded” entry IS AWARDED at the EMMY level?
One (1) statuette will be awarded to the primary entrant listed on the EMMA entry form. Those listed on the original entry would be allowed to each purchase ADDITIONAL statuettes, engraved with their own names.
Do I have to be a Lone Star EMMY Chapter member to enter?
NO - You do not have to be a member to enter the EMMAs. For our Inaugural EMMAs - your first entry fee will cover the 2008 membership fees (Date Of Entry to April 30, 2009) If you prefer not to be a Lone Star EMMY member, select non-member pricing.
What does it cost to enter?
EMMY Member: $35 per name up to a total of eight (8) entrants**
Non-Member: $75 per name up to a total of eight (8) entrants**
**An unlimited number of names may be added for a charge of $100 per extra entrant.
How do I enter?
Online Entry is the only form of entry. All entry fees must be paid in full by the entry deadline, January 19, 2008. Unpaid entries will be disqualified from the judging process. The Lone Star EMMY chapter does not accept personal checks. All final payments must be made by Credit Card or Online Electronic Check.
The correct fee must accompany each entry. Proof of payment or payment, along with two copies of the entry form attached to the DVD case / sleeve with a rubber band.
Who is a “producer”?
“Producers” are those directly responsible for the content and execution of the material presented in the entry. Anchors, hosts, reporters, writers, photographers, editors, assignment editors, producers, directors and qualified others may qualify as a "producer" if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness.
Must I use the title “producer” on my entry?
No. You need not use the actual title "producer" unless it applies. Please use your appropriate credit as related to the entry.
How many people can be listed on an entry?
There is no limit on the number of individuals who may be listed on an entry, but each must pay a separate and appropriate entry fee. If entry exceeds eight (8) entrants, a higher entry fee will be imposed for each additional name. See entry fee structure for details. All entrants must be directly responsible for the entry’s production.
Can we just list the entrant as “Staff”, “News Team” or “Company X”, etc.?
You may NOT list any entrant name as "Staff," "News Team", "Company X", etc.
EMMA Crystal Towers are awarded to individuals, not to their employers, stations or companies. All entries must include the name and production credit for at least one individual.
How can I add my name to an entry already submitted?
You must duplicate the entry exactly as the original entry. In the title you must use the same title and add - YOUR NAME. In the description box insert - Add name to original entry id # (?). You may enter several people to the duplicate entry.
Can I add nominees later?
Only the individuals listed on the entry form are eligible to become nominees and receive towers or plaques. Names may be added to the entry form up until one week before nominations are announced, subject to appropriate entry fees and late penalties.
What should I include with my entry?
Include two (2) copies of the entry form along with your DVD-R and proof of payment. All items should be affixed to the DVD case/sleeve. Only one (1) entry per DVD. Please repeat the process for each entry.
ENTRY FORMS MUST BE FILLED OUT COMPLETELY! PROGRAMS ENTERED IMPROPERLY MAY BE DISQUALIFIED. RULING OF THE AWARDS COMMITTEE IS FINAL. A one page written synopsis is highly encouraged.
What format should I use?
Entries will be accepted only on DVD-R
What do I put on my DVD-R?
Entries must be submitted exactly as aired. Entries will be accepted on DVD-R only. The readability of the DVD-R is the responsibility of the entrant. DVD-Rs that cannot be read/played cannot be judged and entry fees will not be refunded. The following guidelines shall apply:
• DVD-R format (DVD minus-R).
• DVD-Rs must be finalized and ‘compatibility tested’ on a different DVD player than the one used to burn the entry.
• Brand-name disks are recommended.
• Printed DVD labels (paper labels) are not suggested; instead, use a permanent marker to legibly PRINT identifying marks on the disk. Ink jet or laser printing that can be applied directly to the DVD face (printable media) is acceptable.
• Use a clear sleeve or case.
• One entry per DVD-R
• Call For Entries Blank DVD-R Labels
May I submit the same work in two places?
You may NOT enter a single, stand-alone piece of work in more than one category. You may enter segments or packages from full-length programs already entered elsewhere, but only if you ARE NOT listed as a “producer” on the full-length program.
Your COMPOSITE ENTRY in a Craft category may include work already entered elsewhere, but only if you ARE listed as a "producer" on the non-craft entry.
Material included as part of a composite entry in the Station Excellence, category may be entered in other categories.
What do you mean by a composite entry?
A composite is defined as a sampling of up to 3 representative segments or elements that convey to a judging panel the scope, breadth, or range of an individual’s talents or of coverage of a special event. The elements within a composite, unless otherwise noted, are to be “as aired” with no internal edits or post production work, such as music or special effects. Composites are not to exceed 30 total minutes. Unless otherwise noted, a straight lift from a long work may be included as an element of a composite, but there must be no editing of the lift. Demo or presentation reels are not allowed except for the station special achievement awards.
May I submit a composite entry in the Craft Achievement categories?
Yes. The benefit of submitting a composite is that it shows the breadth and depth of your work. Also, you may use work submitted for EMMY consideration in another category as part of that composite, but only if you are listed as a "producer" on the non-craft entry.
Entering single works in the Craft achievement categories is generally best left to those who work on program-length works, such as newscast directors, technical directors, program-length writers, etc.
May I enter the exact, same Craft composite in two different craft disciplines?
No. Once a composite is created for a craft entry, it essentially becomes its own stand-alone entry. As we state, no single piece of work may be entered in more than one category. You may however use up to one-third of a craft composite as part of a separate composite in a different discipline, such as photographer/editor or reporter/writer.
What should I put on my DVD-R for the Overall Station Excellence category?
For this entry, the written synopsis you provide is just as important as what goes on the DVD-R. Clearly define your station or news department’s mission and outreach so that the judges understand what you do, with what you have. The video should compliment the synopsis. Time codes are extremely helpful as judges are only required to view 50% of the submitted material. These categories are not about creating a sleekly produced “marketing” video. In fact, post-production editing is not allowed.
What’s the difference between Breaking News and Spot News?
Breaking News: This is the “I am here at the bank robbery and the bullets are flying over my head” story. Preparation limit is unnecessary since it must be simultaneous. May include taped elements.
Spot News: This is the “I am here at the bank where this morning the bullets were flying over my head, and in the 2 hours following the police chased the robber to the state line.” The goal is to extend what was done in the simultaneous report to allow the entry of the longer form report.
What falls under General Assignment?
This is the basic news reporting done day-in day-out by a News Department. This is for the coverage of planned events and done as planned assignments. No time limit entries should be carefully reviewed to insure that these were assigned reports and not pitched or created reports that would fall under Feature or Special Reports.
How do I shorten a full-length program to comply with entry time limits?
Full-length programs may be shortened by taking up to three (3) complete lifts from the program. In other words, a maximum of three edits is permitted to bring longer programs to the time limit. We encourage the use of the synopsis to help judges navigate the entry.
Who gets to keep the EMMA?
Each winning entry shall receive one EMMA Crystal Tower, with the opportunity for those properly listed on the entry form and for whom entry fees were properly paid to purchase additional towers engraved with their own name. Individual recipient(s) will retain possession of the EMMA Crystal Tower, even if an employer pays entry fees.
Can I purchase Duplicate Statues, Certificates, and Plaques?
Stations, studios and production companies may order a duplicate EMMA Crystal Tower for public display at their place of business (one each; up to a maximum of three per winning entry). Nomination Certificates will be awarded to all nominees following verification of nomination.
Are there any other rules I should know about?
Yes. STANDARD CLAUSES FOR CALLS FOR ENTRIES FOR REGIONAL EMMY® AWARDS CONDUCTED BY THE CHAPTERS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES (NATAS) STANDARD CLAUSES
What’s the deadline?
All entries and checks must be received by Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 5 pm. No late entries will be accepted.
Where do I send my entry?
Entries and payment should be delivered or mailed to:
LONE STAR EMMY AWARDS
408 West 8th Street
Dallas, TX 75208
214.941.3669
EMMA Categories
NATAS Standard Clauses
TO ENTER ONLINE ONLY
