NATIONAL ACADEMY RULES

PURPOSE: 

To recognize outstanding achievements in television by conferring annual awards of merit in the Chapter's designated award region.  The presentation of these awards is intended to be an incentive for the continued pursuit of excellence for those working in the television industry and to focus public attention on outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news and informational achievements in television. 

ELIGIBILITY: 

Traditional entries must have been produced for the Chapter's designated awards area and must have had their first broadcast or cablecast in that awards area during the eligibility period.  Entries must not have been available for viewing by more than 50% of the U.S. television homes during the eligibility year.  Entries that are available to more than 50% of the U.S. television homes should be submitted to The National Television Academy’s national awards (see exceptions). 

Advanced Media entries must be produced for distribution PRIMARILY in the Chapter's designated awards area, even though they may be viewed beyond that region. 

Pornographic, violent, defamatory or offensive material is not accepted. The ruling of the Awards Committee is final and absolute.  No entry may be submitted to more than one Chapter's awards.  Entries must be submitted as originally shown. There may not be any post-broadcast changes, except as noted in the category descriptions.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE 50% RULE: 

1. Local station news coverage that may receive national exposure should

    be submitted to regional Emmy^® Award competitions.

2. The treatment of a local community issue by a super station that is

    directed specifically to those living inside the station's home market 

    maintains its eligibility in regional Emmy ^® Award competitions.

3. A local program that later receives national distribution may compete in

    both regional and national awards competitions, but not in the same

    eligibility year.

4.  Local segments that are eligible to participate as entries in national

    Emmy^® Award competitions (i.e., News & Documentary, and Community &

    Public Service) may compete in both regional and national awards

    competitions under prevailing rules.

5. Advanced Media entries that can be seen worldwide via web or portable

    delivery are eligible for regional competition if they were primarily

    intended for consumption in the Chapter’s designated awards area.

PROGRAM LENGTH COMMERCIALS (INFOMERCIALS) AND CLOSED CIRCUIT PROGRAMS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE

MEMBERSHIP: 

Membership in The National Television Academy (NATAS) is not required to enter the Emmy^® Awards.    

ORIGINAL MATERIAL:

At least two-thirds of a program entry must consist of original material, unless previously produced material has been given some unique and creative treatment that, in the opinion of the chapter awards committee, results in an original program.  Entrants must identify all non-original material, including its location in the program.

ADVANCED MEDIA:

Entries must be original work designed for broadband distribution or portable delivery, and must be submitted as originally posted. Pre-purposed or re-purposed material originally produced for traditional media is not eligible. If such material is included in the entry, the producer(s) must provide evidence that the broadband product is not merely a copy of the otherwise produced programming.

LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH: 

Spanish-language entries may be entered and will be judged by a panel of Spanish-speaking, peer judges.  Programs in languages other than English or Spanish may also be entered; however judging of these entries in their native language is subject to the availability of qualified, peer judges who speak the language of the entry. Therefore, the National Television Academy requires that these entrants submit a tape with English subtitles or with English on a second audio channel, a précis or English transcript.

JUDGING PROCEDURE: 

Entries made to this Chapter will be judged by panels assembled by other National Television Academy Chapters.  These panels shall be comprised of no fewer than 6 judges who shall be certified as peers.  No more than 4 judges on a panel may be employed by the same station or company.  Judges may not have a conflict of interest, which is described as having a direct involvement in the production of an entry, or having a personal relationship with a member of the production staff of an entry.  Group ownership, by itself, does not necessarily create a conflict of interest.

NON-COMPETITIVE JUDGING:

Entries are judged against a standard of excellence and do not compete against each other. There may be one award, more than one award or no award given in each category.  Any exceptions will be noted in the category description.

JUDGING REQUIREMENT:

The success of the Emmy^® Awards process depends on the willingness of qualified professionals to serve as judges.  Peers in another television market are serving this Chapter's entrants.  This Chapter will judge other Chapter's entries.  By entering, you agree to serve as a judge when asked.

INTENTIONAL FALSIFICATION: 

The intentional falsification of production credits by an entrant may be the basis for the disqualification of the entry.

ENTRY ERRORS AND OMISSIONS:

The National Television Academy assumes no responsibility for the acts or omissions of those individuals or entities submitting entries pursuant to this notice.  All submitting entities and/or individuals are advised to review submissions with respect to correct name credits and other information.  The Academy shall accept all submissions that are not in conflict with any of its rules and regulations.  Ineligible entries may be disqualified at any stage of the competition.

ENTRY FORMAT

BROADCAST/CABLE:

Entries will be accepted on DVD only. The readability of the DVD is the responsibility of the entrant.  DVDs that cannot be ‘read’ cannot be judged and entry fees will not be refunded.

The following guidelines shall apply:

·       DVD-R format (DVD minus-R).

·       DVDs must be finalized and ‘compatibility tested’ on a different DVD player than the one used to burn the entry.

·       Brand-name disks are recommended.

·       Printed DVD labels (paper labels) are not suggested; instead, use a permanent marker to legibly PRINT identifying marks on the disk. Ink jet or laser printing that can be applied directly to the DVD face (printable media) is acceptable.

·       Use a clear sleeve or case.

·       One entry per DVD.

ADVANCED MEDIA:

Entries must be submitted on CD-R. Entries are intended to be screened in their native format (compression rate, frame rate, etc) as originally produced, so that peer judges can simulate the original viewing experience.  Video content should be submitted in formats compatible with the following players:

• QuickTime version 6 or better,
• RealPlayer version 10 or better,
• Windows Media Player version 9 or better. 
• Adobe Flash Player

 A one page written description must accompany each entry submission.

AWARD OWNERSHIP:

Emmy^® Awards are presented to individuals, not to their employers.  Ownership of the Emmy^® statuette is retained by the individuals and The National Television Academy, even if an employer pays entry fees.  Stations, studios and production companies may order a duplicate statuette for public display at their place of business (one each; up to a maximum of three per winning entry).

WHO RECEIVES THE AWARD? 

Producers, craftpersons and other statue-eligible entrants as listed on the entry form receive the Emmy^® statuette, except where noted.  Others who work on a nominated or winning entry may order production certificates or plaques.

CRAFTS ACHIEVEMENT:

In the Crafts Achievement Awards, those who actually perform a specific discipline receive the Emmy^® statuette.  Supervising or directing the work of others does not qualify for Craft Achievement Awards, except for achievements in directing areas.

PROMOTION: 

Emmy^® winners may refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that they are an Emmy^® recipient and, for one year after the award was bestowed may use a replica of the Emmy^® statuette in such advertising.  A ® registration mark and the appropriate copyright notice: © NATAS/ATAS must accompany any portrayal of the Emmy^® statuette or moniker.

MIDSOUTH REGION REQUIREMENTS

DESIGNATED AWARDS AREA:  The Midsouth Region encompasses the States of North Carolina [except Asheville] and Tennessee and the television market of Huntsville, Alabama.

(Individual markets are Charlotte, NC, Chattanooga, TN, Decatur, AL, Durham, NC, Fayetteville, NC, Florence, AL, Greemsboro, NC, Greenville, NC, High Point, NC, Huntsville, AL, Jackson, TN, Knoxville, TN, Memphis, TN, Nashville, TN, New Bern, NC, Raleigh, NC, Tri-Cities, TN-VA, Washington, NC, Wilmington, NC, Winston-Salem, NC)

ELIGIBILITY PERIOD:  Entries must have had their first broadcast or cablecast in the awards area during the eligibility period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. 

SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES:

• All entries must be submitted as originally telecast or webcast without any post-telecast production changes in an effort to enhance the award worthiness of an entry.  In the case of long-form programs such as sporting events or concerts, a maximum of three edits is permitted to bring longer program entries to the stated entry time. Entrants may be required to provide documentation, including proof of performance affidavits or verified production credits, if deemed necessary by the Awards Committee.
• Submission of an entry constitutes permission for the Nashville/Midsouth Chapter of NATAS to telecast, webcast, videostream or screen the entry, or portions of the entry, as part of the Emmy® Awards promotion and program.
• A maximum of three edits may be made to reduce the length of the entry for judging.  There can be no internal editing of an entry.  However, original segments may be assembled to meet entry time restrictions.
• Entries may be submitted by the management of a television station, franchised cable system, or company directly responsible for the production of an entry, or any individual directly responsible for the production of an entry or individual craft achievement.
• The academy retains all rights to any telecast, webcast, videostreaming, videotape recording, audio tape recording or photographs of the Emmy® Awards presentation and any use of the material without written permission is strictly prohibited.  Clips from the Emmy® Awards ceremony, however, may be used in newscasts without written permission.
• Scores from the ballots are tabulated by the chapter's Certified Public Accountants, KV Financial Group.
• Nominees and award winners will be selected based on the scores provided by the accounting firm without reference to the individual entries.

CERTIFICATES & AWARDS:

·         Nomination Certificates will be awarded to all nominees, following verification by the Awards Committee.

·         Awards will be presented at the 22^nd Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy® Awards program in January in Nashville.

·         An Emmy® Statuette will be presented to each qualified entrant on an award-winning entry.

·         Individuals may NOT purchase statuettes. Stations or companies may purchase statues following the Awards Ceremony according to the Award Ownership rules above.

·          Nomination Plaques may be ordered by all nominees.

·          Winner Plaques and Production Certificates to honor individuals who provided significant contributions to a winning entry are also available following the Awards Ceremony.

ENTRY FORMAT:

BROADCAST/CABLE:

Entries will be accepted on DVD only. The readability of the DVD is the responsibility of the entrant.  DVDs that cannot be ‘read’ cannot be judged and entry fees will not be refunded.

The following guidelines shall apply:

·       DVD-R format (DVD minus-R).

·       DVDs must be finalized and ‘compatibility tested’ on a different DVD player than the one used to burn the entry.

·       Brand-name disks are recommended.

·       Printed DVD labels (paper labels) are not suggested; instead, use a permanent marker to legibly PRINT identifying marks on the disk. Ink jet or laser printing that can be applied directly to the DVD face (printable media) is acceptable.

·       Use a clear sleeve or case.

·       One entry per DVD.

ENTRY FORMAT:

ADVANCED MEDIA:

Entries must be submitted on CDRom. Entries are intended to be screened in their native format (compression rate, frame rate, etc) as originally produced, so that peer judges can simulate the original viewing experience.  Video content should be submitted in formats compatible with the following players:

• QuickTime version 6 or better,
• RealPlayer version 10 or better,
• Windows Media Player version 9 or better. 
• Adobe Flash Player

LABELING:

Each DVD or CD disc and case must be clearly labeled with:

·         category number

·         category name

·         title of the entry.

·         Running time - The total running time of each entry must be provided, expressed in minutes and seconds, such as 60:00 for one hour.

All entries will be retained by the Chapter.

ENTRY FORMS: 

·         Entry Forms and Payment Forms will be reviewed for correct and complete information. If it is determined that an entry has been incorrectly submitted, the Awards Committee may reject the entry, or may suggest modifications that would make the entry acceptable.

·         Each entry on DVD-R or Advanced Media CD Rom must be accompanied by TWO copies of the completed entry form and ONE copy of the Payment Form with all requested information either typewritten or printed clearly in block letters. Academy online entry forms, which can be filled in by computer and printed, are available at:  www.emmyonline.org/nashville.  Computer-generated facsimiles of the entry form will be accepted if they contain the same data in the same order as the NATAS forms.

·         The titles, air dates and length of each item included in a composite entry must be listed.

·         It is the responsibility of the entrant to double check all information including correct category number and title, title of entry, spelling of name(s), etc. This information will be used in the printing, engraving Emmy® Statuettes, in the telecast and the program.  The chapter assumes no responsibility for incorrect information provided on entry forms.

ENTRY FEES:

·         If more than one person is listed, a separate entry fee is required for each person with the individual amounts determined by whether or not the individual is a member of NATAS.

·         In order to qualify for the member's discounted entry fee, the entrant must be a paid-up member of the academy in the current Chapter year June 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008.  Non-members may qualify for member fees by joining NATAS at the same time they enter by using the Membership Application from our web site at http://nashville.emmyonline.org/#33.  Payment of $60 membership fee must accompany the entry and be paid by SEPARATE check marked "Membership''

·         Programming Entries and Spot Announcements (CATEGORIES 1 - 42):
NATAS Members/each entrant $75.00

Non-members/each entrant $150.00

·         Individual Craft Entries (CATEGORIES 43 - 61):
NATAS Members/each entrant $60.00

Non-members/each entrant $120.00

·         Advanced Media (CATEGORIES 62 - 74):
NATAS Members/each entrant $75.00

Non-members/each entrant $150.00

PAYMENTS:  Please include the Online Payment Form with your entry.  Entry fees may be paid by check, purchase order, or credit card.  Please make checks payable to: NATAS NASHVILLE. Multiple entries from an individual or organization may be accompanied by a single check covering all entries submitted if a list of each entry/fee is included.   The Online Payment Form, which is required, can be filled in and printed by computer, is available at:  http://nashville.emmyonline.org/Paymentform.aspx

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES:  Entries must be received with appropriate entry forms, labeled tapes, and entry fees no later than: 5:00 PM, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2007

Entries must be delivered to: 

EMMY AWARDS

161 Rains Avenue

Nashville, TN  37203

Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards
CASE AND DISC LABELING INFORMATION:

Category #______________________
Category Name__________________
Entry Title______________________
_______________________________
Entry Length____________________