Video & Film Production Submissions

Each nominee must submit a digital portfolio that showcases their highest-quality work. Submissions must be original, and any use of music must be original or accompanied by copyright releases. Works that suggest plagiarism will be disqualified.

The panelists encourage applicants to present work which illustrates their knowledge of film and video production and appreciation for moving images, the development of original ideas in the work submitted – imagination, competence and the skillful use of the media. The emphasis is on expressing their artistic point of view. The work should demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate ideas using imagination and a willingness to take creative risks.

The applicant must have primary creative responsibility for the material and specify their role in the work. Submissions will be evaluated based on:

• Emotional impact – Conveys feelings and creates emotional interest
• Clear visual point of view
• Original thinking and creative risks

Submission Requirements:

Submit a video portfolio reel containing:

• One complete work
• Excerpts from up to three additional works (or works-in-progress)

Technical Requirements:

• The total video cannot exceed 10 minutes. If the full work is longer, submit a trailer followed by the complete film at the end.
• File Format: MP4, MOV, or AVI
• File Naming: LastName_FirstName_Video (e.g., Smith_Jane_Video.mp4)
• Music & Copyright: Must be original or include copyright release.
• No DVDs or physical submissions will be accepted.

Photography Submissions

Each nominee must submit both a digital portfolio and a fact sheet with thumbnails. Submissions must be original, and any use of music must be original or accompanied by copyright releases. Works that suggest plagiarism will be disqualified.

The panelists encourage applicants to present work which illustrates their knowledge and appreciation for photography, the development of original ideas in the work submitted – imagination, competence and the skillful use of the media. The emphasis is on expressing their artistic point of view. The work should demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate ideas using imagination and a willingness to take creative risks.

Applicants must submit work that demonstrates artistic commitment, originality, and a clear visual point of view. All forms of photography are accepted, including:

✔ Documentary
✔ Color & Black & White
✔ Non-silver processes
✔ Digital & Mixed Media

Portfolio Content (10 Images Total)

• Five images reflecting a consistent body of work based on a cohesive idea or technique
• Five images showcasing a range of artistic exploration and technical ability

Technical Requirements:

• File Format: JPEG only (BMP, TIFF, PSD, PowerPoint, or animations are not accepted)
• File Naming: Image01.jpg, Image02.jpg, Image03.jpg, etc.
• Image Specifications: Minimum 1500 x 2100 pixels, at 300 dpi
• File size: between 1 MB and 10 MB
• No slideshows, audio, or embedded images in Word documents will be accepted.
• Important: Blurry, low-quality, or poorly lit images may result in disqualification.

Submissions will NOT be accepted if they include:
❌ Images created with camera phones
❌ Web-ready images (low resolution)
❌ Slideshows, animations, movies, or audio files 
❌ Images embedded in Microsoft Word documents

 

Fact Sheet with Thumbnail Images

Please upload a fact sheet containing:

1. File name of each piece (e.g., Image1)
2. Title of the work
3. Dimensions of the actual work
4. Media used
5. Thumbnail image of each piece

Example:
File: Image 1
Title: "Man"
Dimensions: 24" x 36"
Media: Chromogenic print

Graphic Arts Nominees 

Each nominee must submit both a digital portfolio and a fact sheet with thumbnails. Submissions must be original, and any use of music must be original or accompanied by copyright releases. Works that suggest plagiarism will be disqualified.

The panelists encourage applicants to present work which illustrates their knowledge and appreciation for graphic arts, the development of original ideas in the work submitted – imagination, competence and the skillful use of the media. The emphasis is on expressing their artistic point of view. The work should demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate ideas using imagination and a willingness to take creative risks.

Applicants must submit work that demonstrates artistic commitment, originality, and a clear visual point of view.

Portfolio Content (10 Images Total)

• Five images reflecting a consistent body of work based on a cohesive idea or technique
• Five images showcasing a a variety of approaches and skills

Technical Requirements:

• File Format: JPEG only (BMP, TIFF, PSD, PowerPoint, or animations are not accepted)
• File Naming: Image01.jpg, Image02.jpg, Image03.jpg, etc.
• Image Specifications: Minimum 1500 x 2100 pixels, at 300 dpi
• File size: between 1 MB and 10 MB

Submissions will NOT be accepted if they include:
❌ Images created with camera phones
❌ Web-ready images (low resolution)
❌ Slideshows, animations, movies, or audio files 
❌ Images embedded in Microsoft Word documents

 

Fact Sheet with Thumbnail Images

Please upload a fact sheet containing:

1. File name of each piece (e.g., Image1)
2. Title of the work
3. Dimensions of the actual work
4. Media used
5. Thumbnail image of each piece

Example:
File: Image 1
Title: "Face"
Dimensions: 24" x 36"
Media: Digital illustration

Each nominee must submit both a digital portfolio and a fact sheet with thumbnails.

Digital Portfolio Requirements

• All images must be uploaded as JPEG files
• File Naming:Save each image as Image1, Image2, Image3, etc.
• Do not use spaces or special characters (#$&@).

Please submit a digital portfolio consisting of 10 pieces of artwork that showcase a broad range of mediums, techniques, and artistic approaches. The portfolio must be presented in the specific order outlined below:

Portfolio Content & Order

Pieces 1 & 2: Direct Observation (Full Value Works)

• These two pieces must be created from direct observation (not from photographs or other 2D sources).
• They should realistically depict a subject such as a still life or figure study.
  Suggested mediums: Graphite or charcoal.
• The artwork must demonstrate an understanding of light and shadow, fully describing the illusion of light and how it defines 3D volume.
• Strong use of highlight, light tone, half tone, base tone, reflected light, cast shadow, and direction of light is required.

 Pieces 3 - 7: Technical & Conceptual Variety

• These five pieces should showcase a broad understanding of line, form, color, value, texture, composition, perspective, mark-making, and various media.
• Students should explore complex visual or conceptual ideas and display a wide range of artistic approaches.
• (Optional): One piece may be a process piece, showing a composition in its stages of development or as sketchbook work.

 Pieces 8 - 10: Risk-Taking & Innovation

• These final three pieces should demonstrate artistic risk-taking, creativity, and conceptual depth.
• These may be abstract, inventive, or experimental works using unusual or mixed media.

Fact Sheet with Thumbnail Images

Please upload a fact sheet containing:

1. File name of each piece (e.g., Image1)
2. Title of the work
3. Dimensions of the actual work
4. Media used
5. Thumbnail image of each piece

Example:
File: Image 1
Title: "Octopus"
Dimensions: 24" x 36"
Media: Pastel

1. Upload completed NYSSMA Evaluation Forms from Spring 2024 and Spring 2025:

2. Upload a video file (MP4, MOV, AVI) OR provide a public link to YouTube or Vimeo (Important: If submitting a YouTube or Vimeo link, please ensure the video is public or unlisted. Private videos will result in an incomplete application) of the following:

 

Video Requirements & Guidelines: 

1. Only one camera at a fixed angle with a fixed lens may be used.
2. State your name and school at the beginning of the video, you must also include the name of the variation or title of the piece, and composer.
3. The recording must be uncut and unedited and contain no material other than the dance/musical selection.
4. Camera must be placed to obtain full-figure shots, not close-ups.
5. A neutral-to-dark background is best.
6. Performer must clearly be a soloist. The student can be accompanied by piano, small or large ensemble.
7. Music Composition applicants must provide a performance that matches the musical score.
8. The performer is responsible for the quality of the recording. She/he must be clearly visible and audible.

1. Upload copies of up to three scores of completed original music compositions: 

2. Upload a video file (MP4, MOV, AVI) OR provide a public link to YouTube or Vimeo (Important: If submitting a YouTube or Vimeo link, please ensure the video is public or unlisted. Private videos will result in an incomplete application) of the following:

 

Video Requirements & Guidelines: 

1. Only one camera at a fixed angle with a fixed lens may be used.
2. State your name and school at the beginning of the video, you must also include the name of the variation or title of the piece, and composer.
3. The recording must be uncut and unedited and contain no material other than the dance/musical selection.
4. Camera must be placed to obtain full-figure shots, not close-ups.
5. A neutral-to-dark background is best.
6. Music Composition applicants must provide a performance that matches the musical score.
7. The performer is responsible for the quality of the recording. She/he must be clearly visible and audible.

Upload a single video file (MP4, MOV, AVI) OR provide a public link to YouTube or Vimeo (Important: If submitting a YouTube or Vimeo link, please ensure the video is public or unlisted. Private videos will result in an incomplete application.) of the following (in order):

• 2 minutes maximum of technique
• 2 minutes maximum of solo piece

The performances should display the full range of the participant’s abilities.

Video must include movements-in-place with the camera framing the entire body, as well as movement through space, demonstrating advanced skill.

Audition Apparel:

Girls: leotard, tights, footwear related to style of dance, hair up, no jewelry

Boys: dance pants and shirt, footwear related to style of dance, no jewelry

Please no costumes of any kind. Students performing world dance forms can wear related apparel if it is necessary to the choreography and not a performance costume.

World Dance Forms may include dances from the performing arts of any cultures of the world. Examples include, but are not limited to: Hip Hop as well as dances of Africa, Asia, Native America, Latin America, Spain, Ireland, the Caribbean, etc.

The decisions of the panel will be based on standards of excellence for the discipline of dance. Participants will not be judged against each other, only against a standard of excellence for this age group.

The evaluations of dance participants will be based on four sets of criteria:

• Technique – the skill to execute the demands of the discipline’s technique and choreography with advanced proficiency and virtuosity.
• Performance – the demonstration of stage presence and discipline specific behaviors and traditions.
• Musicality and Phrasing – the ability to physically express the rhythm, melody, nuance and character of the music through the choreography.
• Artistry – the creativity and sincerity of the performance. 

 

Video Requirements & Guidelines: 

1. Only one camera at a fixed angle with a fixed lens may be used.
2. State your name and school at the beginning of the video, you must also include the name of the variation or title of the piece, choreographer, and composer.
3. The recording must be uncut and unedited and contain no material other than the dance selections. (Cuts between technique segments are acceptable)
4. The camera should be placed sufficiently close to the performer so that positioning and movement of all parts of the body are clearly visible. A brief full- face shot, half-body shot and full-body shot may be included at the end of the video.
5. The backdrop should be neutral and free of creases and breaks.
6. Record your audition in a clearly defined interior space.
7. Make sure the sound and picture are both of good quality.

Upload a video file (MP4, MOV, AVI) OR provide a public link to YouTube or Vimeo (Important: If submitting a YouTube or Vimeo link, please ensure the video is public or unlisted. Private videos will result in an incomplete application) of the following: 

SELECT ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING CHOICES FOR YOUR RECORDING 

Choice One: Two contrasting monologues - one serious and one comedic

• One written before 1900 and one “contemporary” – written after 1945.
• Monologues must be from published plays (original pieces or adaptations from movies, television shows or novels are not acceptable).
• Be sure to have read the entire play from which your monologue is taken to understand context and the character.

Choice Two: One monologue and one song

• Song and monologue must contrast – one serious and one comedic
• Pieces must be from two different works
• Monologue must be from a published play (original pieces or adaptations from movies, television shows or novels are not acceptable).
• Song must be from a published musical

OTHER GUIDELINES

• Please choose material appropriate for your skills
• Select pieces with characters that are close to your age and experience
• Choose material that you connect with personally and that demonstrates your abilities
• Your clothing should be casual and neutral. Perform in low-heeled shoes or bare feet
• Do not use costumes or props

RECORDING REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Only one camera at a fixed angle with a fixed lens may be used. 

2. The recording must be uncut and unedited and contain no material other than the monologue(s) and musical selection, both in a single file. 

3. Camera must be placed to obtain full-figure shots, not close-ups. 

4. A neutral-to-dark background is best. 

5. You must clearly be a soloist. You may be accompanied by piano, a click track or, as a last resort, you may record yourself without accompaniment, though this will not be viewed favorably. 

6. Your audition materials should be performed from memory rather than read from any off-camera source. 

7. You are responsible for the quality of the recording. You must be clearly visible and audible. Your recording should not contain video clips from any previous performance. 

Upload a video file (MP4, MOV, AVI) OR provide a public link to YouTube or Vimeo (Important: If submitting a YouTube or Vimeo link, please ensure the video is public or unlisted. Private videos will result in an incomplete application) of the following: 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Have someone off camera ask you to questions listed below. Answer them to the best of your ability. Please see the Recording Requirements on the website for technical instructions. Please note that your recording may not exceed eight minutes.

You may show pieces of your portfolio in your recording, such as prompt books, photographs, sketches, models, floor plans, light plots or any other artifacts that reflect both graphic skills and technical abilities.

Please answer the following questions:

• In what area or areas of technical theater have you excelled?
  • Give a play or musical title.
  • Be specific and explain your contribution to the production.
  • In answering this question, you should show artifacts from your portfolio.
• What is the most important thing you learned during this project?
• What were some obstacles you needed to overcome?
• What advice would you give a freshman who has an interest in technical theater?

RECORDING REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Only one camera at a fixed angle with a fixed lens may be used. 

2. The recording must be uncut and unedited and contain no material other than the required items. 

3. Technical Theater applicants may zoom in on portfolio materials and may be shot from the waist up for the question segment. 

4. A neutral-to-dark background is best. 

5. You are responsible for the quality of the recording. You must be clearly visible and audible. Your recording should not contain video clips from any previous performance.