CME National Student Awards Program: Overview

The CME National Student Awards Program recognizes and rewards the unique combination of creativity and technical excellence demonstrated by students in radio, television/video, new media/animation, game design and photography programs taught in CME member institutions. In addition, the best of the best is selected from all categories and awarded The President’s Awards (a cash prize).

2021 Update

For 2021, we will be accepting submissions from the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years. For this year only, faculty can enter 2 submissions in each category, one from 2020 and one from 2021. Only one winner for each category will be chosen. All other guidelines stay the same. Please review our categories and general notes in preparation for submission.The submission deadline for 2021 closed at 11:59 PM Pacific Time, May 28. The winners will be announced in July.

General Notes:

– All submissions must be original student work produced between Apr 22, 2019 and May 1, 2021

– For 2021 only: one entry per year/ per program stream, with a possible two entries, one for 2019-2020, one for 2020-2021.

– Must be submitted by instructor

– Submissions may not be entered into more than one category

– Entries may be submitted in English or French

– Entries cannot exceed maximum length

– Entries must include:

– A working/live URL link to view the project (Unlisted YouTube link preferred). Please note we will publish the winners on our website and on social media.
– Copyright-cleared music OR written permission or release form for music video category
– A brief synopsis of the production

Scroll down for categories.

Video

Code	Category	Maximum Length	Criteria
V01	Documentary Short	Under 10 minutes	Strong, clear and compelling storytelling Creative use of production elements (sound, images, graphics, music) Appropriate pacing and flow, enhancing the narrative
V02	Documentary Long	10-30 minutes	Strong, clear and compelling storytelling Creative use of production elements (sound, images, graphics, music) Appropriate pacing and flow, enhancing the narrative
V03	Drama or Comedy Short	Under 10 minutes	Entertaining and compelling story Artistic direction Cinematography Creative use of production elements (sound, images, graphics, music) Appropriate pacing and flow, enhancing the narrative
V04	Drama or Comedy Long	10-30 minutes	Entertaining and compelling story Artistic direction Cinematography Creative use of production elements (sound, images, graphics, music) Appropriate pacing and flow, enhancing the narrative
V05	Series Production	Up to 30 minutes	Episodic production Entry may be either multi-camera or single-camera production Creative use of production elements (sound, images, graphics, music) Appropriate pacing and flow to suit style and tone of the series and genre
V06	Remote/Special	Up to 30 minutes	Production meant to be broadcast as a live-event or one-off special Either live or live-to-tape Can include sports coverage Longer entries may be edited down to meet maximum time limit Multi-camera production Excellent technical production, consistent throughout Creative use of additional production elements (sound, images, graphics, music) Appropriate pacing and flow to suit style and tone of the genre
V07	Newscast or News Magazine show	Up to 30 minutes	Studio-based production, or on-location multi-camera production News and/or current affairs Excellent technical production throughout Strong writing Line-up reflects timeliness, relevancy and newsworthiness Includes field production elements
V08	Music Video	Up to 10 minutes	Showcasing a musical performance Strong artistic/creative approach to production design Clean audio sync Appropriate pacing and flow to suit style and tone of the concept Music must be copyright cleared
V09	Corporate/client-based production	Up to 15 minutes	Productions created for organizations or companies for non-commercial/non-broadcast use Does not include PSAs or commercials intended for traditional broadcast Entry must include a descriptor paragraph to explain the focus of the production and client Excellent technical production, consistent throughout Creative use of additional production elements (sound, images, graphics, music) Appropriate pacing and flow to suit style and tone of the concept
V10	News story	Up to 2 minutes	Fair, balanced and accurate journalism Strong storytelling structure Evidence of research, accuracy and balance Reflects timeliness, relevancy and newsworthiness Compelling use of visuals and sound Clear, concise script (writing) Professionalism in on-camera/VO performance
V11	Commercial/PSA	15 or 30 seconds	Selling or promoting a product, service or public service message Strong and clear message Attention-grabbing Effective use of visuals, sound and other production elements
V12	Promos/Trailers	Up to 2:30	Promoting a film, TV show (series or one-off), network or station Can be real or fictional Compelling production Creative use of production elements (sound, visuals, graphics, etc.) Appropriate pacing and flow to suit style and tone of the network/station/genre

Audio

Code	Category	Maximum Length	Criteria
A01	Radio newscast	Up to 5 minutes	Excellent technical production throughout Strong writing Line-up reflects timeliness, relevancy, and newsworthiness Clear and natural delivery
A02	Radio news story	Up to 1 minute	Fair, balanced and accurate journalism Strong storytelling structure Clear, concise script (writing) Clear and natural delivery
A03	Commercial/PSA	15, 30 or 60 seconds	Selling or promoting a product, service or public service message Strong and clear message; attention-grabbing Effective use of production elements and voicing
A04	Promotion	Up to 60 seconds	Produced piece advertising an event, concert, radio station on-location, contests, etc. Effective use of production elements and voicing Strong and clear message Attention-grabbing
A05	Station Imaging	Up to 60 seconds	Produced piece communicating a station’s image and values Effective use of production elements and voicing Strong and clear message Attention-grabbing
A06	Short feature/documentary	Up to 10 minutes	Strong, clear and compelling storytelling Creative use of production elements (voicing, music and other audio elements) Appropriate pacing and flow, enhancing the narrative
A07	Podcast/current affairs show	Up to 30 minutes	Excellent technical production throughout Strong writing and research Includes live and/or pre-produced production elements Content reflects timeliness, relevancy and newsworthiness
A08	On-Air demo	Up to 5 minutes	Excellent technical production throughout (demonstrating live production technique) Professionalism in announcing Evidence of prep material
A09	Radio Drama	Up to 30 minutes	Strong, clear and compelling storytelling Creative use of production elements (voicing, music and other audio elements) Appropriate pacing and flow, enhancing the narrative