Naming Format for Submissions and Supporting Documents and Files

Submissions (videos, PDFs, JPGs, etc.) should follow this naming format.

• School_Event_StudentName
  • Use only one word for school name, (e.g. Colonial, Suburban, ICA, Tabernacle)
•  Examples:
  • Suburban_ExpositoryPreaching_TadPohl
  • ICA_DramaticInterp_PiersonPlew

Bible: Preaching and Teaching

• Your video submission should be uploaded to YouTube as an “unlisted” video. Submit the direct link to the video on your submission form. (Test your unlisted video link by logging out of YouTube and accessing the link.)
• The YouTube video should be labeled following the general naming format specified above.
• Ensure your submission has good audio and video quality.
• The video recording must have been made no earlier than August 1, 2020.
• The video should be recorded in one unedited take from one camera angle.
• Do not include fade-outs or video transitions.
• No sound editing is allowed. The recording must be honest and acoustic. As much as possible, it needs to be as if the viewer was in the room listening to you preach/teach.
• The video should be in the spirit of a live preaching/teaching event. It may be shot in a school, church, recital hall, or some other appropriate location, with or without an audience.
• You are required to introduce yourself and your passage (or sermon/lesson title) at the start of the video—either verbally or with a title slide. This introductory portion of the video entry must be limited to the following: Student’s Name, School/City/State, Passage Reference or Sermon/Lesson Title.
• Submit your outline as a PDF for the judges along with your submission form.
• Once a video and outline are submitted, no substitutions will be allowed

Music

• Your video submission should be uploaded to YouTube as an “unlisted” video. Submit the direct link to the video on your submission form. (Test your unlisted video link by logging out of YouTube and accessing the link.)
• The YouTube video should be labeled following the general naming format specified above.
• Ensure your submission has good audio and video quality. The video recording must have been made no earlier than August 1, 2020.
• For individual performers, the individual’s face, hands, (and feet for keyboard competition categories) should be clearly visible throughout the recording.
• The video must be recorded in one unedited take from one camera angle. Any evidence of multiple takes or of audio that does not match the performance will result in disqualification. If a specific contest category requires two separate selections, they should be recorded in one continuous unedited take.
• Do not include fade-outs or video transitions.
• The performance recorded for the video entry must be acoustic and not amplified. The only microphone(s) involved should be for recording. Monitors may not be used.
• No sound editing is allowed, and no reverb may be added to the recording. The recording must be honest and acoustic. As much as possible, it needs to be as if the judges were in the room listening to you perform live.
• The video should be in the spirit of a recital or audition. It may be shot in a school, church, recital hall, or some other appropriate location, with or without an audience.
• You are required to introduce yourself and your selections at the start of the video—either verbally or with a title slide. This is a simple introduction in the spirit of an audition. This introductory portion of the video entry must be limited to the following: Performer/Group Name, School/City/State, Composer(s),
  and Title(s) of your selection(s).
• Submit as a PDF an original of your music (with the measures numbered beginning with the first full measure) for the judges along with your submission form. All music used must be originals. See IACS rules.
  Note: JotForm limits PDF size to 10 pages. If your music exceeds 10 pages, upload each 10-page segment as a separate file. Label the files, P1, P11, P21; examples:
  • School_Event_Song1P1;
  • School_Event_Song1P11;
  • School_Event_Song2P1.
• Once a video and music are submitted, no substitutions will be allowed.

Speech

• Your video submission should be uploaded to YouTube as an “unlisted” video. Submit the direct link to the video on your submission form. (Test your unlisted video link by logging out of YouTube and accessing the link.)
• The YouTube video should be labeled following the general naming format specified above.
• Ensure your submission has good audio and video quality. The video recording must have been made no earlier than August 1, 2020.
• The video must be recorded in one unedited take from one camera angle. Any evidence of multiple takes or of audio that does not match the performance will result in disqualification.
• Do not include fade-outs or video transitions.
• The only microphone(s) involved should be for recording. Recordings must be acoustic and not amplified. The only microphone allowed is for recording. Monitors may not be used.
• No sound editing is allowed. As much as possible, it needs to be as if the judges were in the room watching you perform live.
• The video may be recorded in a school, church, recital hall, or some other appropriate location, with or without an audience.
• You are required to introduce yourself and your selections at the start of the video—either verbally or with a title slide. This is a simple introduction in the spirit of an audition. This introductory portion of the video entry must be limited to the following: Performer/Group Name, School/City/State, Author(s), and Title(s) of your selection(s). See Speech rule 7d for additional information about introductions and transitions.
• Submit your script as a PDF for the judges along with your submission form.
• Once a video and script are submitted, no substitutions will be allowed.

Art: 2-D Guidelines

Digital image files must meet the following specifications.

• Entry
  • JPG file only.
  • Photograph the artwork without glass. You may photograph the artwork with a mat if applicable. The quality of the image submitted will necessarily be a factor in evaluating the work of art. Poorly lit, out-of-focus, or poorly cropped images will detract from the competitive nature of the artwork. Do not send images containing watermarks. (See “Recommendations for Taking Photos of Artwork” below.)
• Artist Idea Statement
  • PDF
  • Include source photo if used (JPG). Label:
    • School_Event_StudentName_SourcePhoto
• The labeling of your images is very important. Label your image files as required in the file upload field on the Submission Form. Do not include any special characters or symbols.
• Complete the entire form and load:
  • one (1) image
  • the Artist Idea Statement PDF
  • the source photo (if used)
• Once submitted, no substitutions will be allowed.

Art: Photography Guidelines

Digital image files must meet the following specifications.

• Entry—JPG file only.
• Photography Artist Idea Statement—PDF
• The labeling of your images is very important. Label your image files as required in the file upload field on the Submission Form. Do not include any special characters or symbols.
• Complete the entire form and load:
  • one (1) image
  • the Photography Artist Idea Statement (PDF)
• Once submitted, no substitutions will be allowed.

Art: 3-D Guidelines

Digital image files must meet the following specifications.

• Entry
  • JPG file only.
  • Photograph the artwork from several different angles. Show up to five views of the artwork. (See “Recommendations for Taking Photos of Artwork” below.) The quality of the image submitted will necessarily be a factor in evaluating the work of art. Poorly lit, out-of-focus, or poorly cropped images will detract from the competitive nature of the artwork. Do not send images containing watermarks. Please refer to the tips for photographing artwork below.
  • Woodworking : Submit 3–10 images taken from different angles. Photos must demonstrate judging criteria for judges to evaluate—joints, woodgrain, finishes, and other judging criteria should be represented in photos.
• Artist Idea Statement
  • PDF
  • Include source photo if used (JPG). Label:
    • School_Event_StudentName_SourcePhoto
  • Sculpture : Photo of mold if used (JPG). Label:
    • School_Event_StudentName_Mold
  • Garment Construction, Textiles, Crafts : Pattern or Plan if used (PDF). Label:
    • School_Event_StudentName_Pattern
  • Crafts : State competition permission if required (PDF).
  • Digital Media : Digital image in its original file (JPG). Label:
    • School_Event_StudentName_Original
  • Woodworking : Required Plan (PDF)
• The labeling of your images is very important. Label your image files as required in the file upload field on the Submission Form. Do not include any special characters or symbols.
• Complete the entire form and load 3–5 images (Woodworking, up to 10 images) taken from different angles with the submission.
• Once submitted, no substitutions will be allowed.

Recommendations for Taking Photos of Artwork

• A DSLR camera is recommended.
• Use a tripod—do not shoot artwork using a handheld camera.
• Set file type to “Large JPG.”
• Set camera to Autofocus.
• For 2D work, use two lights angled at 45° to the artwork. This eliminates glare and fully illuminates the work of art.
• For 3D work, use the two-light method above with a possible third light source positioned high and aimed at the back or front of the work of art.
• Shoot against a black, white, or neutral gray solid cloth or other material. This is especially important for 3D entries.
• Use a gray card to set light balance.
• Use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, or a similar image editing software to crop, correct color cast, light balance, etc. Attempt to get your image to appear as similar to the original as possible.
• Save or export as a JPG file.