Your documentary may focus on any section of the Preamble, Articles, or Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. You should not focus your documentary on failed or proposed amendments that have yet to pass. Your documentary MUST include the following five elements:
HOW MANY STUDENTS MAY ENTER TOGETHER AS A TEAM?Students may enter the competition individually, or work in teams comprised of either 2 or 3 students. If an entry is awarded a prize in the competition, then the money will be split evenly among team members.
You should give yourself at least a month to create your documentary. Below is a suggested time frame:
HOW CAN I FIND C-SPAN FOOTAGE?Click here for a variety of downloadable C-SPAN programs that you may use in your documentary. We will upload new videos regularly until the competition deadline on January 20, 2012. All of the videos are available in .AVI and .MOV formats. Another option worth exploring is using screen capture software. Many Mac computers have screen capture software included in their software bundles. Other screen capture programs, like Camtasia, offer free trial periods lasting up to 30 days. Use your screen capture software in conjunction with C-SPAN's streaming Video Library to capture C-SPAN footage.
If you are unable to download C-SPAN video and if using screen capture software isn't an option, try streaming the video online at C-SPAN's Video Library, point your video camera at your computer screen and record the program. This may not result in the highest quality video, but it is an option if you are having difficulty finding downloadable C-SPAN footage that is relevant to your chosen topic. Remember to keep your camera steady, adjust the lighting, and check your volume levels if you choose to record footage this way. This will ensure that you get the best quality possible. You may also record audio from a C-SPAN program to use in your documentary. If you choose to do this, make sure you identify the audio source.
There is no time requirement for your C-SPAN programming. However, do not allow the C-SPAN programming to dominate your documentary. Rather, the inclusion of C-SPAN programming should be used to support your documentary and compliment your presentation.
C-SPAN-produced programming is copyright cleared for use in educational applications like StudentCam.
C-SPAN's philosophy is to show multiple sides of an issue. Students should treat their documentary in a similar fashion, providing comprehensive treatment of their topic with different points of view. However, students' personal opinions are welcomed. We want to hear your personal views about your chosen topic, and if your views have changed or solidified while researching your documentary! In order to present varying opinions about your documentary's topic, you may want to interview several people who have different points of view. You can also discuss how your topic affects people differently. You may also consider using several juxtaposing short clips from multiple C-SPAN programs throughout your documentary to show varying viewpoints.
There are no requirements for who should be interviewed. Students can use their classmates, teachers and family as interview subjects. However, we encourage entrants to consider interviewing experts on their chosen topic as well as local and national political leaders. You may be surprised by who is willing to sit down for an interview! Click here for tips on how to contact your local political leaders.
Ask your teacher if there are video cameras or editing equipment available. If you are unable to use school equipment, try contacting libraries in your area to see if they may have equipment to lend to students. You may also try your local cable affiliate, local television stations or local public access channel. Finally, many cell phones and digital cameras are now able to record video. For editing you will find that most new computers will already have movie making software. Windows computers will typically have Windows Movie Maker and many Macs will have iMovie software. If you don't have movie making software on your computer, try searching Download.com which has many free software programs including video editing software.
We recognize that students have varying degrees of access to video production equipment and we encourage all to apply! The judges’ strongest critiques will center more on the content, research, and presentation, rather than on the technical quality of the videos. Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
WHEN IS THE DEADLINE?Entries must be uploaded by midnight on January 20, 2012. Submit your video online in: .avi .mov .mpg .mpg2 .mpeg2 .mpeg4 .mp4 or .wmv format in order to upload your documentary successfully. Videos may be as large as 800mb - an average 8 minute video of around 300mb will be clean and crisp once it is uploaded. Files larger than 800mb will not upload. Please note that the larger the file size, the longer your upload will take to complete. Depending on your internet connection speed, a 100mb video may take anywhere from 10 - 30 minutes to upload. If you are having difficulty uploading your video, contact us at educate@c-span.org or call us at 1-800-523-7586 on weekdays between 9:00am-5:00pm ET. Once you have submitted your video, don't forget that you must also complete the Entry Form.
DO I NEED TO PROVIDE PRIOR NOTICE OF MY INTENT TO ENTER?You DO NOT need to provide any prior notice of your intention to enter. The only requirement is that the video documentary and online entry form arrive at C-SPAN's offices by the deadline, which is January 20, 2012.
Review the Competition Rules and How to Get Started pages. If you still have questions, please contact C-SPAN Classroom at educate@c-span.org or call 1-800-523-7586 between 9:00am-5:00pm ET.
The 75 winning videos will be announced on the StudentCam website on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. Winning students will be notified by phone and email.
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