We’re coming up on the 3rd Annual b-roll.net AWARDS, and we couldn’t be more excited. The caliber of work in the competition in the past 2 years has been amazing. We can’t wait to see what gets entered in the contest this year.

Since this is YOUR contest, we need your ideas.

Here are the contest categories and specifics from last years contest. What, if anything, should we change? Do we need to add categories? Drop some? Tweak the rules? Let me know what you think… Post your ideas on the FORUM.

Spot News
Single Story Entry
Maximum Entry Length: 3 minutes
Completion Time Limit: 8 hours
Definition: A single, unanticipated news event for which there was no ability to plan in advance. Examples of spot news include but are not limited to crime, fires, accidents and other disasters.

General News
Single Story Entry
Maximum Entry Length: 3 minutes
Completion Time Limit: 12 hours
Definition: A single, issue oriented news event for which there was time to prepare. General news stories should contain no music unless it is part of the natural sound of the story.

Feature (Soft)
Single Story Entry
Maximum Entry Length: 3 minutes
Completion Time Limit: 48 hours
Definition: A single report, lighter in nature, with a subject profile or human interest angle.

In Depth
Single Story Entry
Maximum Entry Length: 10 minutes
Completion Time Limit: none
Definition: A single story or series on one specific topic, requiring exemplary effort on the part of the photographer producing the story. Entry may be a composite of up to three stories as long it stays within the time limit and has 1 second of black between stories. Stories and topics covered should not be considered investigative in nature.

Live Shot / Standup
Compilation Entry
Maximum Entry Length: 2 minutes
Completion Time Limit: none
Definition: A compilation entry of creative and innovative live or taped standups. Entry should be a composite of at least three but no more than five standups, as long it abides to time limit and has 1 second of black between stand ups.

Breaking News
Single Live Story Entry
Maximum Entry Length: 3 minutes
Completion Time Limit: 2 hours
Definition: A single, unanticipated news event that is aired simultaneously within or outside of a regularly-scheduled newscast. Entry may include multiple live elements. Air-check presentation is required.

Feature (Hard)
Single Story Entry
Maximum Entry Length: 5 minutes
Completion Time Limit: 48 hours
Definition: A single, serious approach to a subject. The report should be hard news in nature.

Sports
Single Story Entry
Maximum Entry Length: 3 minutes
Completion Time Limit: 24 hours
Definition: A single sports story, best treatment of a sporting event, or sports feature (entry should contain sports action).

Franchise
Single Story or Compilation Entry
Maximum Entry Length: 5 minutes
Completion Time Limit: none
Definition: A single story or compilation of stories aired in a locally branded segment. Entry may include but is not limited to politics, health, education, environment, or consumer issues. Clips can be composite entries of up to three stories as long it abides to time limit and has 1 second of black between stories. If available, airchecks should be entered. Stories in this category should not be investigative in nature.

Investigative
Single Story Entry
Maximum Entry Length: 10 minutes
Completion Time Limit: none
Definition: A story that is enterprise in nature. Clips should contain original elements and may include investigative elements such as undercover sources, documents and public records, hidden cameras, ambush interviews, etc.