2012 Public Service Announcement Contest

RULES

What is the OKRA Public Service Announcement Contest?
The OKRA Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest is devoted to raising awareness about the importance of recycling in Oklahoma. The OKRA Public Service Announcement Contest gives students the opportunity to express themselves in positive manners and provide education and support to their peers through the development of original and compelling PSAs about recycling issues.

What is the theme for the Oklahoma Recycling Association Public Service Announcement Contest? The theme is “Really?  Don’t trash it, Recycle It!”  The OKRA Public Service Announcement Contest invites students to submit ideas for public service announcements that encourage recycling in their schools and communities with emphasis on how recycling saves natural resources and energy and reduces pollution.

Who can enter?
Students in grades 9 to 12 can submit entries for consideration to the Oklahoma Recycling Association Public Service Announcement Contest.

How should the PSA be submitted for entry?
Entries must be at least 720p, but preferably 1080p, in QuickTime/MOV, WMV, MPEG or AVI format and submitted to the OKRA YouTube channel.  Instructions for submitting entries to the YouTube channel will be posted at http://www.recycleok.org/psa-contest.php by August 15, 2012. Entries should also be sent through the mail and will contain:

·         Two (2) legible copies of the script

·         Two (2) DVDs containing the audio-visual PSA

·         Entry Form for each participant with one name chosen as the group’s spokesperson

·         Completed Talent Release Form for each participant

·         Parent Entry Waiver if participant is under 18 years of age

Entries must be postmarked by Wednesday, October 31, 2012. Send entries to:

Public Service Announcement Contest
OES Material Recovery
Attn: Chris Feeney
730 S. 9^th St.  
Enid, OK 73701

How will PSAs be judged? Who will judge?
Entries will be judged by a panel of individuals, including professionals in the media and broadcast industry as well as the recycling industry. Refer to the judging rubric for more details.

How will the winners be announced?
Winning entries will be announced by the Oklahoma Recycling Association on America Recycles Day, Thursday, November 15, 2012. Please check the Oklahoma Recycling Association Website to view the winners. www.recycleok.org

Can participants use other people's material?
Entries must contain all original material (including music, images, etc.). Do not submit a video that has been submitted elsewhere.  Do not use trademarked, copyrighted, or otherwise branded materials, logos, products, etc. except for OKRA’s in your video.

Can I use real-life experiences?
Yes, the Oklahoma Recycling Association Public Service Announcement Contest encourages people to share their true stories. Depending on the nature of the PSA, students may be asked to submit additional waivers that give express permission to use photographs, names, and/or other pertinent material in the PSA.

What are the prizes?
Thanks to OG&E and Greenstar, each correctly submitted entry will receive a $25 award for participation. Additional prizes will be awarded to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners.  The prizes are as follows:

o   1^st place - $500.00 to the individual winner or winning group, $100.00 to the winner’s school and possible airing of the winning PSA on television stations throughout the state of Oklahoma (depending on the quality of the winning entry)

o   2^nd place - $300.00 to the individual winner or winning group, and $50.00 to the winner’s school

o   3^rd place - $150.00 to the individual winner or winning group, and $50.00 to the winner’s school

Will entries be returned?
No. Entries become the property of the Oklahoma Recycling Association and may be used for future promotional materials.

Does it cost anything to enter the Oklahoma Recycling Association Public Service Announcement Contest?
There is no charge for submitting an entry to the Oklahoma Recycling Association Public Service Announcement Contest.

Can I submit more than one entry?
Yes. 

Can entries be disqualified?
Entries will be disqualified if they contain vulgar or inappropriate content, are not turned in with all proper paperwork, have postmarks later than the specified due date, or use copyrighted/trademarked material without written permission. Completed forms must be turned in with entries as described or the entry will be disqualified.

Can adults assist in production?
Adults may assist with production, but they are limited to only verbal guidance. Adults are allowed to be actors, but not content contributors.

How many students can work on one PSA?
There is no limit to the number of students who can work on a PSA. The PSA must be entered under one name, and there will only be one prize awarded for the winning PSA. Participants can choose to divide the prize on their own terms if applicable.

What is the deadline?
All entries must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, October 31, 2012.

What does each entry need to include?
Entries should include the video, proper registration forms, waivers, compliance statements, and releases. Also, entries must include a complete script.

May it be a silent movie with a background song?
Music and sounds may be used, but they can’t be copyrighted. See the Student Release and Waiver form for complete details.

For questions not answered here, contact Chris Feeney, Oklahoma Recycling Association Public Service Announcement Contest Coordinator, at Chris.Feeney@okdhs.org.

DOWNLOAD FORMS AND MORE
Contest Entry Form
Talent Release Form
Parent Waiver
Judging Rubric
Color 8.5 X 11 Flyer

2011 America Recycles Day
PSA Winners were: