Digital Movie

 
Project & Software Examples

The Digital Movie category is an opportunity for you to express your opinions and creativity through a short film. Hop into the director’s chair and create your own Public Service Announcement! Projects will be evaluated on such concepts as storyline, cinematography, and storyboarding. Check out the Helpful Tips section for some useful suggestions on how to make your movie.

Projects

  • Public Service Announcement

Software

  • iMovie
  • Final Cut Pro
  • Media 100
  • Movie Maker
  • Adobe Premiere
Specific Category Rules and Rubric
    • Projects MUST contain a storyboard
    • The judged video clip must not exceed 5 minutes. If it is part of a larger project, copy the five minutes that you want judged.
    • Projects may be displayed on a single computer or on DVD.
    • Internet connections will be provided at the State competition.
    • Displays and monitors must not exceed 24 inches.
    • Space will be assigned and limited to 3 feet per project.
    • Spelling and grammar will be judged on narrative and project.
    • Directions for re-launching the project must be provided, as well as any passwords. (May use narrative)

    A project will be disqualified if any of the following occur:

    • The narrative description is missing. (see below)
    • Copyright information and credits are not included in the narrative or displayed with the project. (see below)
    • The storyboard is not displayed/available that clarifies the process used to create the project. (see scoring guideline)
    • To ensure that projects reflect students’ own creativity and effort, participants in the Pennsylvania Media and Design Competition must adhere to an 80% human, 20% AI rule. Students should document and clearly report how AI tools were utilized in their work to maintain transparency and align with competition guidelines.

    If a project meets the above rules it will be judged using the following: Digital Movie Scoring Guideline

Narrative Descriptions

Narrative descriptions are required for all projects; the narrative description/project summary is now included in the PA Media and Design Competition Participation Packet. If the narrative is not provided, the project will be disqualified. Narratives must be detailed enough to provide the judges with any information to fairly judge the project. Attach additional pages if necessary.

Copyright Requirements

The PA Media and Design Competition Participation Packet includes a participation agreement that must be signed by all participating students on a project and their teacher sponsor. Part of the agreement outlines copyright expectations, as well as other project requirements.

Suggested sites to search for media:

The PA Media and Design Competition, although educational, removes the student work from the classroom and therefore requires the student to get permission from the owner to use any copyrighted music, video, graphics, etc. Fair use does NOT apply. Remember to credit music or items that were created by yourself or friends as well.

Storyboard

Your storyboard should be a set of sketches, arranged in sequence on panels, outlining the scenes that will make up what you plan to film. All projects need to display the pre-production process used to create the project (not post-production photos after your project has been completed). This should be specific and as detailed as possible to give the judges the necessary background regarding how it was developed. You may choose to put it on your tri-fold display or bring a loose-leaf notebook with your notes.

  • The storyboard will not be judged for grammar or appearance, but should be legible and organized.
  • The storyboard is REQUIRED for this category. Projects without it will not be judged.

Click here for a Sample Storyboard for a sample of an ideal storyboard.

Helpful Hints
  • Make sure to set your camera’s white balance to the type of light in which you are shooting so color is accurate.
  • While shooting with a hand-held camera, use smooth, controlled movements. Shaky and jerky camera movements are difficult to watch and unprofessional.
  • Be sure your audio is clear and audible. If the audience can’t hear your movie, they can’t understand it.
  • While editing, carefully select your shots and cut points and seek feedback from others.
  • Keep in mind the rule of thirds when framing your shots.
  • Make a detailed and concise storyboard; it will save you time when you are filming and will affect your project’s score.
  • Get photo releases signed from everyone in your project in any media format.
High School Logo with headphones and "design" in the shape of school supplies

Logo winner
Sopheavatey Nouth and Everardo Sanchez
South Philadelphia High School

Middle School logo showing school supplies in the shape of the PA Keystone

Logo winner
Faith Jones-Mcintyre and Taraji Robinson
Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy

Use the hashtag #pamediadesigncomp on all your social media posts