Super Panel Tips
“What Matters” Making the Most of Your EMMY Entry
These tips may sound overly simple, but they reflect the most
common problems and suggestions from judges.
Top THREE Tips:
- Follow the Rules! Judges are given the same Call for Entry guidelines you receive. They know if you didn’t follow the rules.
- Check your submission for editing glitches and errors before mailing it. Check for transfer errors. Amazingly enough entries are sent with low audio, no audio, huge glitches or with NOTHING on them. Don’t just spot check the DVD-R. Play it back all the way.
- Write a Synopsis! It gives the judges more information to go on before your DVD-R is popped in the machine for viewing!
Another commonly asked question is: “What goes on the DVD-R for Overall Station Excellence?” Again from our Super Panel of 12 judges from across the country and with a very broad background, the following tips:
- Don’t submit entries for General Excellence with errors – technical or otherwise. Our Super Panel caught misspellings in graphics on entries that were submitted for Overall Excellence. It was an immediate turn off! Have several sets of eyes view the entry prior to submission.
- Tell us more about your station! The most important piece of the entry puzzle for Special Achievement categories isn’t the DVD-R itself it’s the one-page synopsis of the station’s achievements, mission, philosophy, etc. that most impact the judges. The video should SUPPORT this synopsis. Get your best writer to craft this very important one-page summary!
- Place smaller segments, promos, psa’s, etc. at the beginning of the DVD-R rather than starting with the longer pieces. You’re more likely to grab the judges’ attention. Keep in mind that while you are permitted to enter up to 60 minutes, judges are only required to view 50%. To avoid a random shuffle you may also wish to include time codes.
- Choose to feature truly original works and investigative stories – not something your competitors are trying to duplicate. Show off what YOU do best as a station.
- Another note, Station Excellence is about, well, Station Excellence. While many of our contributing stations are indeed “news” stations – this category is also meant to honor any station that promotes television excellence. You’ll notice that new this year, we also have categories for News Excellence and Community Service. The same tips apply to constructing entries for these new categories.
"SO YOU WANT TO WIN AN EMMY?" - HELPFUL HINTS!
DVD-R DVD-R DVD-R Make sure your entry is on DVD-R only.
Shorter is better – especially for Craft composite entries or those Program Achievement entries that require more than one example of work. Your work is more likely to be viewed in its entirety instead of judging panels opting to use the 50% viewing rule.
Time Codes - Include time codes with your entry synopsis. This is especially important for longer format pieces. Judges are required to screen 50%. This sometimes become a random "beginning, middle and end" shuttle through DVD-Rs. By outlining your work with time codes, you take more control over how your entry is viewed.
Appearance Counts! A neatly packaged entry with legible entry forms, DVD labels and a typed synopsis – USE A RUBBER BAND TO ATTTACH FORMS AND SYNOPSIS. Make a much better impression on judges than scribbled forms and handwritten notes. Take pride in your entry.
Entry forms must be completed in their entirety. All requested information is important to the entry certification process. TRTs and Date First Aired are not optional bits of information. Incomplete forms may be grounds for disqualification. Make sure the information on your entry form and DVD-R label match exactly.
Be creative when choosing a title for your entry. The title you choose is the title that will be engraved on your EMMY nameplate. Your name + Composite does not = creative!
Read the Categories and Rules completely. Then read them again. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the EMMY process before submitting your work.
Category selection is key. Think outside the box.
CALL FOR ENTRY DEADLINE - JUNE 9, 2008 5PM
2008 Lone Star Chapter Emmy Awards Check List
COMPLETE THE ENTIRE ENTRY FORM!!!
• Check spelling of all entrants' names and entry titles
• Make 3 copies of entry form (2 with entry - 1 for you)
• Submit payments
• Label DVD case / sleeve
• Deliver by Monday, June 9, 2008 at 5 pm
• No late entries will be accepted
Entries and payment should be delivered or mailed to –
LONE STAR EMMY AWARDS
408 West 8th Street, Ste 201
Dallas, TX 75208
214.941.3669
EMMY Express
Stations or Companies paying for more than one entry
For stations or companies paying for more than one entry, entries must be made online. Please contact the Lone Star EMMY office if you do not find your stations name on the drop down list. You will be given a login id and password. All entries will be sent to administrator for approval.
Individual entrants please submit entries here
2008 EMMY Categories
2008 EMMY Rules & FAQ
Super Panel Tips, Helpful Hints & Checklist
One Page Synopsis Form
Call For Entries Blank DVD-R Labels
