Submission Requirements

Please note: Vision Forum reserves the right to accept or reject submissions without explanation.

Appearance

Presenters must be dressed modestly and professionally. Boys should present themselves with a distinctively masculine and clean-cut appearance. Likewise, girls should present themselves with a distinctively feminine appearance. For the purpose of these videos, we respectfully request that the following guidelines be adhered to:

Girls: Please wear a modest skirt or dress. No pants or shorts.
Boys: Long pants should be worn. No shorts. A collared shirt should be worn unless the reporter is engaging in an activity that requires the reporter to get particularly dirty.

Language

A proper respect for the English language must be observed. Avoid slang terms, and strive to be clear and concise in your speech. Taking the name of the Lord in vain, including in the form of “minced oaths” (e.g., “gosh,” “golly,” etc.) is inappropriate.

Length

Entries must be between thirty seconds and two minutes in length.

Presentation

Opening & Closing: Each report must begin with the presenter facing the camera, introducing the report “Hello. This is [First Name], reporting for Everyday News.” It should end with the presenter facing the camera and saying, “This is [First Name] reporting for Everyday News.”

For the protection of your own privacy, we strongly recommend that families do not have their children give their last names. First and/or second names may be used.

The Report: News items should follow standard journalistic procedure. Describe an event that happened. Emphasize WHEN, WHERE, and WHAT. The reports should be brief and factual. They are not about the reporter, but about events.

Here is an example of a line introducing the subject of the report:

Today on Elm Street, disaster struck when gravity pulled a jelly jar through the bottom of this grocery bag onto the concrete. The jar shattered.

The rest of the story should resemble a newspaper story, briefly giving facts or details about WHO and possibly WHY.

A local boy was unloading groceries from this van. No one knows who will clean up the mess. Some onlookers think the pile of glass and jelly should be left where it is as a work of art.

Equipment Needed

The following equipment is necessary:

One NTSC video camera capable of recording SD (minimal)
- NTSC means that the camera records at 29.97 frames per second. This is different from PAL formats, which record at 24 frames per second. Most video cameras sold in the U.S. are NTSC cameras.
- Standard Definition (SD) video cameras record 720 x 480 pixels. Most affordable camcorders are SD video cameras. No video recorded on a digital still camera will be accepted as the resolution is typically too low or non-SD compliant.
Microphone
- An inexpensive microphone may be purchased at a store such as Radio Shack, Best Buy, or other electronics retailers.
- The microphone you buy should have a connector that is compatible with the camcorder you use. The microphone will plug into your camcorder’s microphone or sound input jack.
Tapes or DVDs (depending on camcorder’s requirements)
“ENN” Microphone flag (the “box” that goes on the mic). You may download the template (PDF).

The following equipment is recommended:

Tripod
Extension cable for microphone
Lighting

Editing

No cross-fade transitions should be used when editing the reports. This will allow Vision Forum to more efficiently add graphics to the reports.

Vision Forum reserves the right to edit, alter, add to, or change any episode submitted.

Audio

An external microphone must be used. This microphone must be connected to the camera, or an MP3 or tape recorder, and synced to the video during editing. A handheld microphone should be held 5-8” below the speaker’s chin. Alternatively, a lapel microphone should be clipped at about the same distance. If possible, the audio should be recorded using manual settings so that the levels will be clean and not peak or distort.

Submitting

After editing, the final video files must be exported or converted to uncompressed, non-anamorphic QuickTime or DV files at 720 x 480 resolution. The format should be NTSC, not PAL. Each uncompressed episode may be burned to a compact disc and shipped to Vision Forum, where the episode will be previewed, and if accepted, completed for broadcast. Click here for the submission form.

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