CONTESTS BY DAY
Students are allowed to compete in one Crazy Eights team contest (additional cost) and one general contest on Sunday or Monday. All contest days and times are tentative until December 1. Some high school categories will offer divisions based on a program’s experience level: Division I (Advanced), Division II (Novice), and Middle School. You can find your division on your Dashboard. Divisions can not be changed after October 31, 2024. If you feel your division needs to be changed, please contact Shonda Tindall. Divisions may be added, removed, or merged from a category at any time based on the number of entries.
* CRAZY 8'S MORNING SHOW
9AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HSDI, HSDII, MS
Teams will plan, record, and edit a daily-style morning show based on a given prompt, led by a team of hosts with the purpose of informing and entertaining the audience as they get ready for their day. Segments may include news headlines, human interest and lifestyle reporting, sports-related topics, national weather forecasts, and light-hearted infotainment. The show should include an intro and outro, and may include a commercial break and/or other creative elements not to exceed 45 seconds of total time. Max TRT: 8 Minutes | Team Size: Unlimited | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
CRAZY 8'S NEWS MAGAZINE
9AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS, MS
Teams will plan, record, and edit a news magazine show based on a given prompt, led by a team of anchors and reporters with the purpose of informing viewers on current events. Segments may include in-depth features, investigative reporting, and editorial commentary, with a focus on showing the importance of the events beyond the basic facts. The show should include an intro and outro, and may include a commercial break and/or other creative elements not to exceed 45 seconds of total time. Max TRT: 8 Minutes | Team Size: Unlimited | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
CRAZY 8'S PODCAST SHOW
9AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will plan, record, and edit a podcast show based on a given prompt. The show should include at least one host. The content can include interviews, narration, nat sound, music, all the elements of strong audio storytelling. Make sure there is an appropriate closing to wrap things up. Credits are optional. Video podcasts are not allowed for this event, but the file must be a .mp4 with a cover image. Max TRT: 8 Minutes | Team Size: Unlimited | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
SATURDAY CATEGORIES
CRAZY 8'S SHORT DOCUMENTARY
9AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS, MS
Teams will plan, record, and edit a short-form nonfiction story with a clear, compelling story based on a given prompt that focuses on a subject and reflects an authentic exploration of a person, topic, place, or theme. Like feature films, short films tell closed-ended stories with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Title slate and credits are required and count toward your total run time. Max TRT: 8 Minutes | Team Size: Unlimited | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
CRAZY 8'S DRAMA SHORT FILM
9AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will plan, record, and edit a short-form movie with a clear, compelling story that evokes strong emotions, engages the audience, and explores dramatic themes. Like feature films, short films tell closed-ended stories with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Title slate and credits are required and count toward your total run time. Max TRT: 8 Minutes | Team Size: Unlimited | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
CRAZY 8'S ACTION SHORT FILM
9AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will plan, record, and edit a short-form movie with a clear, dynamic story that emphasizes fast-paced sequences, high energy, and intense physical activity. Your film should feature elements such as chases, fights, stunts, or other thrilling moments that drive the narrative forward. Like feature films, short films tell closed-ended stories with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Title slate and credits are required and count toward your total run time. Max TRT: 8 Minutes | Team Size: Unlimited | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
CRAZY 8'S VERTICAL SHORT FILM
9AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will plan, record, and edit a mobile-ready, 9:16 ratio short-form fictional movie with a clear, compelling story for vertical social media distribution that can be any genre of filmmaking and based on a given topic. Like feature films, short films tell closed-ended stories with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Title slate and credits are required and count toward your total run time. Max TRT: 8 Minutes | Team Size: Unlimited | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
CRAZY 8'S MIDDLE SCHOOL SHORT FILM
9AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: MS ONLY
Teams will plan, record, and edit a short-form movie with a clear, compelling story that can be any genre (drama, comedy, horror, etc.) or form (documentary, live-action, animated) of filmmaking. Like feature films, short films tell closed-ended stories with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Title slate and credits are required and count toward your total run time. Max TRT: 8 Minutes | Team Size: Unlimited | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
SPORTS HIGHLIGHT EDITING
10AM-1PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will write, voice, and edit a sports highlight segment with play-by-play and color commentary using provided game footage and stats. Teams will be given a folder of assets to download that they will use to create the project. While it is not required, entries may include graphics to assist in the report. Max TRT: 60 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 2 Students | Entry Limit: 2 Teams per School
ACTION SPORTS EDITING
10AM-1PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will edit a creative, fast-paced video montage set to music that uses the best moments from sports footage provided. Teams will be given a folder of assets to download that they will use to create the project. Teams should include music, graphics and special effects to enhance the video. Max TRT: 60 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 2 Students | Entry Limit: 2 Teams per School
SPORTS PROMO EDITING
10:30AM -1:30PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will produce a 30-second promotional piece based on given footage to promote a sports team. Teams will be given a folder of assets to download that they will use to create the project. Teams should include music, graphics and special effects to enhance the video. Max TRT: 30 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 6 Students | Entry Limit: 2 Teams per School
SUNDAY CATEGORIES
TELL THE STORY EDITING
10:30AM -1:30PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams may write, voice, and edit a feature story using raw interview and b-roll footage provided. Teams will be given a folder of assets to download that they will use to create the feature package. One student on the team will assume the role of the reporter by writing and recording the voiceovers for the project. Max TRT: 90 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 2 Students | Entry Limit: 2 Teams per School
MUSIC VIDEO
9AM - 4PM | DIVISIONS: HSDI, HSDII, MS
Teams should create videos that capture the essence of the song’s message through compelling visuals and storytelling. Teams will be given a folder of songs and lyrics to select from and download to create the video. Max TRT: Exact Song Length | Team Size: Up to 6 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
VERTICAL MAN ON THE STREET
10:30AM -4:30PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will plan, record, and edit a man on the street segment based on a given prompt for vertical social media distribution. Teams will scout the city streets to seek out individuals with unique perspectives, skills, and stories. Content can range from lighthearted and comedic, to serious and opinionated depending on the topic. Max TRT: 90 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 4 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
VLOG
10:30AM -4:30PM | DIVISIONS: HSDI, HSDII, MS
Teams will produce a narrative-style vlog based on a given prompt that captures the life of an individual or individuals, and demonstrates their interests and skills while also entertaining the audience. Vlogs may cover various topics including entertainment, lifestyle, and issues, or more. Max TRT: 2 Minutes | Team Size: Up to 6 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
VERTICAL SHORT FILM
10:30AM -4:30PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will produce a mobile-ready, 16:9 ratio short-form fictional movie with a clear, compelling story based on a given prompt that can be any genre of filmmaking. Like feature films, short films should tell closed-ended stories with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Max TRT: 60 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 6 Students | Entry Limit: 2 Teams per School
NEWS STORY
11AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS, MS
Teams will produce a video package, containing interviews, b-roll, natural sound, interviews, voiceovers, and optional reporter stand-ups, presenting a clear and fact-driven style (including who, what, where, when, why, and how) that gives a timely account of a recent, interesting, and significant event or development. Max TRT: 90 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 4 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
NAT PACKAGE
11AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS, MS
Teams will produce a feature story solely driven by sound. These should not include reporter track or voiceovers, but rather tell a complete and compelling story using only interviews/soundbites and natural sound. No music is allowed. Topics may range from news to features. These stories should feel complete, even without a reporter closing, so they should close with a strong sound bite. Max TRT: 90 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 4 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
ARTS & CULTURE FEATURE STORY
11AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS, MS
Teams will produce a video package, containing interviews, b-roll, natural sound, interviews, voiceovers, and optional reporter stand-ups, focused on arts and culture and the impact being made by a person, group, business, or event. Features should contain less of a news angle and need not be timely. The story should be an in-depth look at a particular subject, event, or location that keeps the audience’s attention throughout, delivering a compelling narrative to create a lasting impression. Max TRT: 90 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 4 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
SHORT FILM
10:30AM -5:30PM | DIVISIONS: HSDI, HSDII, MS
Teams will plan, record, and edit a short-form movie with a clear, compelling story that can be any genre (drama, comedy, horror, etc.) or form (documentary, live-action, animated) of filmmaking. Like feature films, short films tell closed-ended stories with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. A title slate is required and does count toward your total run time. End credits are not required. Max TRT: 2 Minutes | Team Size: Up to 6 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
ANCHOR TEAM
10AM - 1PM | DIVISIONS: HS, MS
Teams will write a script and record an anchor team segment based on provided newswire copy. Team will rewrite the copy for broadcast, record an edited live take of the anchors and submit it for judging. Graphics are not required for this contest as they will not be a judged criteria. Teams will be judged based on strong delivery, poise, and overall script, including story order and transitional elements. Max TRT: 60 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 4 Students | Entry Limit: 2 Teams per School
COMMENTARY
10AM - 3PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will produce a commentary piece based on a given prompt that expresses the reporter’s personal opinion about a current event or controversial issue. It should reflect a biased, subjective point of view with a clearly stated opinion that focuses on persuading the viewer’s feelings on the issue instead of informing on the facts. Max TRT: 90 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 2 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
SPORTS COMMENTARY
10AM - 3PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will produce a sports commentary piece based on a given prompt that expresses the reporter’s personal opinion about a current event in the sports industry. It should reflect a biased, subjective point of view with a clearly stated opinion that focuses on persuading the viewer’s feelings on the issue instead of informing on the facts. Max TRT: 90 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 4 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
HUMAN INTEREST FEATURE STORY
9:30AM - 3:30PM | DIVISIONS: HS, MS
Teams will produce a video package, containing interviews, b-roll, natural sound, interviews, voiceovers, and optional reporter stand-ups, focused on ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Features should contain less of a news angle and need not be timely. The story should be an in-depth look at a particular person or persons that keeps the audience’s attention throughout, delivering a compelling narrative to create a lasting impression. Max TRT: 90 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 4 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
SILENT FILM
10:30AM - 3:30PM | DIVISIONS: HS, MS
Teams will plan, record, and edit a story with no synchronized sound for dialogue, but may include music. The music should be an essential part of the story, providing the audience emotional cues for the actions and reactions taking place on the screen. There can be no use of sound effects. There should be an emphasis on body language and facial expression, so that the audience could better understand what an actor was feeling and portraying on screen. A title slate is required and does count toward your total run time. End credits are not required. Max TRT: 60 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 6 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
MOVIE TRAILER
10AM - 4PM | DIVISIONS: HSDI, HSDII, MS
Teams will create an engaging and dynamic movie trailer based on a provided prompt. The trailer should effectively showcase key scenes, establish the basic plot, and convey the tone and mood of the fictional film. The goal is to captivate the audience's interest and promote the film as if it were a real upcoming release. Teams are encouraged to focus on storytelling, visual impact, and creativity to make the trailer as compelling as possible. Max TRT: 60 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 6 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
PODCAST SEGMENT
10AM - 4PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will write, record audio, and edit a podcast segment based on a given prompt. Teams will also need to create cover art and export the entry as an MP4 video file. The completed entry should be uploaded to the STN Dashboard before the assigned deadline. Prompts will be released on the STN website and all social channels. Video podcasts are not allowed for this event, but the file must be a .mp4 with a cover image. Max TRT: 3 Minutes | Team Size: Up to 4 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
COMMERCIAL
10:30AM - 4:30PM | DIVISIONS: HS, MS
Teams will produce a 30-second promotional piece based on a given prompt meant to sell a product or service. These can involve actors and live action, or can be completely made up of graphics. It should send a strong message to the audience through narrative, visuals, or both to catch the audience’s attention while also promoting the brand. Max TRT: 30 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 6 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
WEATHER REPORT
10:30AM - 4:30PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will plan, record, and edit a weather report based on a given prompt. The weather reporter’s portion must be one continuous, unedited take. The reporter must remain on camera the entire 60 seconds. You can record it multiple times, but the final entry must show the reporter without edits. The report should cover current weather conditions, predicted forecasts, and any weather alerts. Optional graphics may be included, either live or edited in later, but must not cover the reporter. Max TRT: 60 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 4 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
11AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS, MS
Teams will produce a creative piece highlighting a current issue in society. It should bring awareness to the problem and include a mention of the issue, statistics to support why it is a societal problem, and a call to action. These can involve actors and live action, or can be completely made up of graphics. Max TRT: 30 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 6 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
VERTICAL NAT PACKAGE
11AM - 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will produce a mobile-ready, 16:9 ratio feature story for vertical social media distribution solely driven by sound. These should not include reporter track or voiceovers, rather tell a complete and compelling story using only interviews/soundbites and natural sound. Topics may range from news to features. These stories should feel complete, even without a reporter closing, so they should close with a strong sound bite. Max TRT: 90 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 4 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School
CONVENTION PROMO
SAT 8PM - MON 5PM | DIVISIONS: HS ONLY
Teams will produce a promotional video based on a given prompt with the intent to inform the audience of the mission and purpose of the STN National Convention. The prompt release will take place during the Opening Ceremony pre-show and students will capture content throughout the convention to use in their entry. This is a “free edit” contest, meaning teams will edit on their own and not in the Edit Room. Max TRT: 90 Seconds | Team Size: Up to 6 Students | Entry Limit: 1 Team per School