Rules and FAQ | Directing Change

Rules

To enter the contest you must agree to these official rules. Submission of an entry constitutes an agreement to these rules.

Eligibility – This is a student video contest; only student-produced films are eligible. Students must be associated with a high school located in California and in grades 9-12. Student films must be reviewed and approved by an adult advisor at the student’s school (such as but not limited to: the principal, a teacher or a counselor) for content that is suitable for schools and a general public viewing audience. The student may submit the Intent to Direct Form and upload the film into the Directing Change Portal but the advisor must complete and submit the Entry Form and is responsible for keeping all signed release forms on file. Students can, but do not have to, produce the movie as a school or after school activity.

Notice of Intent to Direct: Submit the Intent to Direct Form to let us know that you are planning to submit a video, and in which category. Submitting the form does not obligate you to submit an entry, just as not submitting the form does not disqualify entries, but it helps us with the planning process. In the form we will ask you to include:

Student(s) name and school advisor name
Name of school
Name of county in which your school is located
Submission Category

Submit your Intent to Direct Form today! For every Intent to Direct Form we receive (and that turns into a submission), the associated school will be entered into a drawing for a free suicide prevention or mental health program. The lead student on any Intent to Direct Form we receive by 12.31.2012 will qualify to win a full HD video camera (one per student/student team).

Submission Deadline (Midnight PDT March 8, 2013) – Each film must be uploaded to the Directing Change Portal by the deadline. The Directing Change Portal will be turned off at midnight PDT on March 8, 2013. An Entry Form for EACH film must be completed and submitted by the identified school advisor by March 8, 2013. Be sure that your entry name matches the name on the entry form! If you need to make arrangements to submit your submission via mail, please email us at jana@directingchange.org. (Please note that mailed entries need to be postmarked by March 8, 2013.) If you are having technical problems please try the following:

Try a different browser (e.g. if you are using Google Chrome, try Internet Explorer)
Try uploading the video from a different computer (e.g. instead of your office computer, try your home computer.)

If technical problems persist, please email: jana@directingchange.org and include your internet browser, the region you are trying to upload to, and a description of the problem you are experiencing. Please be assured that we will not disqualify any entries that did make the deadline as a result of a technical problem with uploading the video.

Submission Format – Entries are limited to 60 seconds in length. Vimeo is our video services partner and all technical specifications need to be in line with their requirements: We accept all resolutions in the following file types: asf, asx, avi, divx, dv, dvx, m4v, mov, mp4, mpeg, mpg, qt, wmv, 3g2, 3gp, 3ivx and 3vx. Although not required, we recommend that you compress your video before uploading the file.

Many video editing programs (such as Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro) and encoding software (such as Compressor or Adobe Media Encoder) may include a preset for encoding H.264 files that match the Vimeo format requirements. If yours does, we recommend using that preset when encoding your finished video. For more information on exporting your video to meet these requirements, please click on this link and view a tutorial on your particular editing software – http://vimeo.com/help/compression

Judging Process & Prizes – Utilizing the California County Superintendents Educational Services (CCSESA) map 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd prize winners will be selected in each category from each of the eleven regions within the state of California by a regional judging panel. To see which region your school falls into, click here.

Regional Prizes in each category:

1^st prize: $1000 for the winning team and a $1000 match to their school
2^nd prize: $750.00 for the winning team and a $750 match to their school
3^rd prize: $500.00 for the winning team and a $500 match to their school

The winning video from each region in each category (finalists) will move on to a statewide judging round. A new judging panel will review and score all finalists and the videos with the top three scores in each category will be posted and promoted online for a final round of public voting by Californians throughout the state. All regional winners will be invited to attend the award ceremony in Sacramento during Mental Health Awareness month in May where the winners will be announced and every film team will be recognized for their achievements.

Statewide (2^nd round) prizes in each category:

1^st prize: $1000 for the winning team and a $1000 match to their school
2^nd prize: $750.00 for the winning team and a $750 match to their school
3^rd prize: $500.00 for the winning team and a $500 match to their school

In addition, the student(s) who produced the winning video for each region in each category will be supported to travel to the award ceremony in Sacramento.

Judging Panel – The judging panel is composed of suicide prevention and mental health subject matter experts, reporters, editors, community members and industry professionals who have successful experiences with the development of PSAs, film production, film critique, or film promotion.

View the official contest judging form for the suicide prevention category
View the official contest judging form for the eliminating stigma category

Limits: The rules for Directing Change have been updated. Schools are no longer limited to 3 submissions per category. Updated rules allow for no limit on submissions from a school.

Music and Copyrights: Entries must meet all copyright standards by obtaining releases for all copyrighted music and materials prior to submission. Entries that include copyrighted materials (such as images, supers or audiovisual materials) or music (such as music purchased from iTunes, on CD or other downloadable services) without the proper permission and signed release forms will be disqualified. Please review the forms and copyrights page for more information.

Release Forms: Every student on the submitting team has to sign a release form. For students under the age of 18 the form also needs to be signed by their parent or a legal guardian. In addition all individuals who appear (visually or voice) in the video need to sign the Image and Voice Release Form. Please review the forms and copyrights page for more information and other requirements. All signed forms need to be kept on file by the identified adult advisor at your school and made available to the contest organizers upon request.

Entry Process

Select a submission category and review the content guidelines carefully!
60-Second Video – Suicide Prevention
60-Second Video – Eliminating Stigma
Identify an adult advisor at your school (such as but not limited to: the principal, a teacher or a counselor). The role of the advisor is to:
- Review the video content to ensure the content is appropriate for schools and a general viewing audience. Violence, profanity, sex and drug activity are discouraged and content must be appropriate for school use and adhere to your school’s policies, rules, and guidelines.
- Submit the entry form on behalf of the student(s).
- Keep all of the signed release forms, likeness releases, location releases, and copyright permissions along with a DVD copy of EACH film produced/submitted by the student/school.
- The advisor does not need to have knowledge of or expertise in film making or the subject matter (suicide prevention and mental illness stigma). Useful resources to prepare the school advisor and student for this contest have been mailed to each school and can be accessed on the school resource page.
Submit Intent to Direct Form at any time prior to the submission deadline.
Advisor must submit an online entry form for EACH entry and keep a signed copy of the release form, for EACH student, on file.Print the entry form submission confirmation as proof of your submission.
Upload each entry to the Directing Change Portal by midnight PDT March 8, 2013.
Click here to upload videoBy uploading an entry, the student(s) automatically accept(s) all rules of the contest.
Print the submission confirmation as proof of your submission.
And be sure that your entry name matches the name on the entry form! The entry name must include the category initials (SP for suicide prevention and ES for eliminating stigma), your school’s initials and the name of the county your school is located in. For example:
- SP_MHS_Mono_nameofvideo (MHS for Mammoth High School)
- ES_BSHS_SanDiego_nameofvideo (BSHS for Borrego Springs High School)

Safety: Teen producers – please avoid potentially dangerous production situations that could put crew, actors or the public at risk. Safety during the project is of highest priority. Directing Change sponsors take no responsibility and assume no liability for any acts or damages that may result from preparing the materials to submit to this contest. Further, both of the submission categories are sensitive subjects that need to be addressed with respect and understanding for how they might impact those involved in the project. If at any time, you or someone working on the project experiences an emotional crisis let an adult know immediately or call the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline : 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free 24-hour hotline.

Elimination: Providing false information, not meeting the submission deadline, not obtaining the proper release forms and copyright permissions or any other violation of the contest rules can lead to the elimination of an entry. The contest sponsors reserve the right to disqualify any entry that they believe at their sole discretion to violate the rights of any third party or that violates U.S. or applicable state or local law. Further, the advisor can refuse to submit an entry that is not suitable for schools and a general public viewing audience. The suicide prevention category has special content that must be included and specific content that must be avoided. Entries that show suicide deaths or attempts (such as a person jumping off of a building or bridge, or holding a gun to their head) will be eliminated. View the Official Contest Judging Form for this category for more information. Entries should not be uploaded to YouTube or other sites accessible to the public(other than the official contest website) until after 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd prize winners have been announced on the regional level; 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd prize winners are restricted from uploading their video to YouTube or other sites accessible to the public until after the contest award ceremony. (See “Submission to Other Film Festivals” as an exception.) The Directing Change Team reserves the right to suggest entries be revised if they contain disqualifying content or other content not consistent with the official contest judging form. If the revised entry is not submitted by the deadline (March 8, 2013), and the original entry contains disqualifying content, the video will be disqualified.

Submission to Other Film Festivals: Entries submitted must be original work created by the individuals listed on the entry form. Entries can be submitted to other film festivals after the March 8, 2013 submission deadline. For a list of film festivals, visit the Links page. Special note to students in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare Counties. Directing Change is partnering with the SlickRock Film Festival. We strongly encourage you to also submit to this festival if your entry is in the suicide prevention category. The entry description and judging guidelines for both contests are aligned.

FAQ

1. Where can I turn for help if I am in a crisis or concerned about a friend?

If you are experiencing an emotional crisis, are thinking about suicide or are concerned about a friend call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Immediately: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free 24-hour hotline.

2. Is my school eligible?

Any high school in California is eligible, including but not limited to: public, private, charter, alternative and home schools.

3. How many entries may a student submit?

The rules for Directing Change have been updated. There is no limit on student participation and they are encouraged to participate with as many teams as they would like.

Important note: The school submits the video on behalf of the student. The student needs to identify an advisor (such as but not limited to: the principal, a teacher or a counselor) who must review AND approve each submitted video for appropriate content.

4. How many entries may a school submit?

The rules for Directing Change have been updated. There is no limit on school submissions to the contest. Schools are encouraged to allow students to participate with multiple teams submitting to the contest.

5. My school doesn’t even have a film or media class. Can I still enter?

Yes. Many students have embraced filmmaking even when their school does not offer a formal program. The only requirement for a student to enter is that the video must be submitted under a school’s authority. The student must find an adult advisor (e.g.: teacher) to review the entry and deem it appropriate. Only the advisor may submit an entry form.

6. What happens if my entry is longer than the specified time limit?

Videos will be judged only on what is presented within the 60-second time specification of the category.Any videos which run longer than 60 seconds will not be judged upon their full content and will be at a disadvantage.

7. How many students can work on a video?

Successful films usually include a large number of dedicated, talented people to produce a video. However, for this contest, only 4 students may be listed on the entry form as the film team and those four are eligible for awards and/or prizes.

8. How do I enter the contest?

Easy… choose one of the two categories: 60-Second Video-Suicide Prevention Public Service Announcement or 60-Second Video-Eliminating Stigma Public Service Announcement. Submit the intent to direct form. Upload the entry by March 8, 2013. Have your advisor submit an entry form by March 8, 2013. See Rules above for additional details.

9. What if I didn’t submit the intent to direct form?

No problem. Submitting the Intent to Direct Form does not obligate you or disqualify you from submitting an entry. It just helps us with our planning process. (And each received form that results in a submission enters the associated school into a drawing to win a free suicide prevention program!)

10. What is the role of the advisor?

The role of the adult advisor at your school is to:

1. Review the video to ensure the content is appropriate for schools and a general viewing audience. Violence, profanity, sex and drug activity are discouraged and content must be appropriate for school use and adhere to your school’s policies, rules, and guidelines.

2. Submit the entry form on behalf of the student(s).

3. Keep all of the signed release forms, likeness releases, location releases, and copyright permissions along with a DVD copy of EACH video produced/submitted by the student/school. The advisor does not need to have knowledge of or expertise in film making or the subject matter (suicide prevention and mental illness stigma).

11. Do I really need to get all these forms signed?

Yes. Student film-making requires discipline and dedication to the craft. Students are honor bound to acquire all necessary permissions and signatures and accept the liabilities for copyright violations.

12. As a student, how much help can I get from parents, teachers, and other adults?

Teachers, parents, and support people are encouraged to be resources, and may participate as actors, but the project must be student work, this includes scripts, camera work, pre-post production.Outside help must be limited to showing students how to do a task while never actually performing the task for them and offering suggestions while allowing the students to make the final decision.

13. When and how do I know if I win?

We will contact the advisor listed on the entry form. We anticipate announcing regional winners in April. Statewide winners will be announced at the award ceremony which will take place during Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Visit the award ceremony page for updates and details.

14. What are the prizes?

Cash prizes will be awarded for the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place video to both the film team as well as the school.

Regional prizes in each category:

1^st prize: $1000 for the winning team and a $1000 match to their school

2nd prize: $750.00 for the winning team and a $750 match to their school

3rd prize: $500.00 for the winning team and a $500 match to their school

Statewide second round)prizes in each category:

1^st prize: $1000 for the winning team and a $1000 match to their school

2nd prize: $750.00 for the winning team and a $750 match to their school

3rd prize: $500.00 for the winning team and a $500 match to their school

In addition, the student(s) who produced the winning video for each region in each category will be supported to travel to the award ceremony in Sacramento.

15. How do I know what region my school falls under?

To see which region your school falls into, click here.

16. What is the difference between the regional and the statewide contest?

Based on the California County Superintendents Educational Services (CCSESA) map, the state has been divided into eleven regions. 1^st, 2^nd and 3rd prize winners will be selected from each of the eleven regions in each category. (Depending on the number of entries received from each region, regions might be combined at the discretion of the contest organizers.) The first prize video from each region and in each category will then move on to a statewide second round of judging. A new judging panel will review and score all the “finalist” videos and the videos with the top three scores in each category will be posted and promoted online for a final round of “public voting.”1^st, 2^nd and 3rd prize winners for each category from the statewide round will be announced at the award ceremony.

17. What if I don’t have access to film making equipment?

As a first step we encourage you to explore resources that might be available through your school or local library. Quality films can be developed utilizing basic digital cameras and video editing software available on most computers. However, if you are not able to access the technology you need, please contact us at jana@directingchange.org

18. I don’t know anything about film making, can I still enter?

Yes! This contest is about developing a public service announcement related to suicide prevention and reducing stigma about mental illness and we feel that everyone with a good dose of enthusiasm and creativity can come up with something amazing. Review these tips to get started.

19. How much violence can my film have? Can I use profanity?

This question addresses the topic of “appropriate content.“ This is a school-related contest and, as such, content, violence, profanity, sex and drug activity must be appropriate for school use and adhere to your school’s policies, rules, and guidelines. All films must be reviewed by the adult advisor you identified at your school to ensure the content is appropriate for a general viewing audience.

A few tips: Do not glorify illegal, dangerous, or potentially harmful behavior. Instead, make your video about the decisions made, the relationships gained or lost, the life opportunities won or lost. In short … make the video about the people not about the act. The formula for most movies focuses on why the characters are going to do what they do, the internal struggle of the decision and a resolution. Focusing on the causes and effects allows you to work with serious topics in a realistic, mature way while adhering to school standards.

In particular, the suicide prevention category has special content that must be included and specific content that must be avoided. Check out the submission category page for more information.

20. Is there an award ceremony?

Yes, an award ceremony to honor the regional winners in each category (Suicide Prevention and Eliminating Stigma) and to reveal the winners of the statewide competition is scheduled for May 23, 2013 at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento. The award ceremony promises to be an amazing evening and the program will include a screening of the winning entries. Student(s) who produced the winning video for each region in each category will be supported to travel to the award ceremony in Sacramento (up to 4 students and one chaperon each). Visit the award ceremony page to stay up to date about the award event.

21. Can I use popular music in my video?

Original music or music that is in the public domain (royalty free) may be used in your film if the source is cited in the credits. You will need written permission from the copyright holder to use all copyrighted materials such as popular songs, so you will not be able to just download or purchase your favorite song on iTunes and include it in your video. For more information visit the Forms and Copyright page and for a list of websites that offer “free” music or tips to create your own visit the Links page.

22. I have limited internet access. Is there another way to download forms and submit my entry?

Yes, we can mail you copies of all forms and you can mail us a hard copy of your entry postmarked by the submission deadline. To make arrangements please email us at jana@directingchange.org or give us a call at: (858) 740-4381.

23. Will my video be shown on TV?

The winning public service announcements will be compiled on a DVD and made available to high schools and mental health agencies throughout California. In addition, the winning PSAs will be integrated into the statewide mental illness stigma reduction and suicide prevention social marketing campaigns. To learn more about these efforts click here .

24. Who do I contact if I am interested in becoming a contest judge?

To learn more about becoming a judge, visit the Judge page for more information.

Note: High school students and individuals who attend, work at, or are affiliated with a high school are not eligible to participate as judges. High school students are encouraged to participate by submitting videos to the contest.

25. Is it possible to make a submission made by students from multiple schools?

Students can submit as a team from different schools, but since the school is eligible to win a cash prize and a suicide prevention program, the team needs to identify one adult advisor from one of the schools. That is the school that will go on record and receive the prize should the entry win. The team could always submit in each of the categories and submit one through one school and the other through another other school.

26. Who is this contest funded by?

Directing Change is part of statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and to promote the mental health and wellness of students. These initiatives are funded by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. CalMHSA administers programs funded by the Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63) on a statewide, regional and local basis. For more information on CalMHSA visit: www.calmhsa.org

27. What if I have other questions not in this FAQ list?

Email your questions to jana@directingchange.org