Copyright © 2009 Riverwolf Productions and
Amherst Community Television
Amherst Community Television
Who can submit news or a feature segment to Student News?
Anyone between the ages of 12-19 can submit a story idea, feature segment, or news item to Student News.
Please note that although you can get your parents, teachers, or other adults to help you make the video, the
story must be presented by a teen, a group of teens (such as a school club), or another type of youth group.
What is the deadline for submissions?
There is no deadline for submissions, but it’s helpful if your story is current (so don’t wait too long to submit!)
Can I submit more than one Student News story?
Yes, you can enter more than one Student News story. Each entry must come with a separate submission form
and tape or DVD submitted.
Can I submit a video I have made previously?
Yes you can submit videos you have made previously. However, you must have copyright permission for all the
content, including music. Make sure you comply with the titling and duration rules.
What is a Music Release form and when do I need to include one with my entry?
A Music Release form gives permission to use the music on your video if it is broadcast on ACTV. If the music
on your video is composed and performed by you, a colleague or a friend, you will need to fill in a Music
Release form for each composition or performance and include it with your video. There are two forms to use;
one for an individual's own work and one for a group or band's own work.
What is a Participant Release Form and when do I need to send them in with my submission?
Participant Release Form for each person that is identifiable in your piece. A Participant Release Form for
each person that is identifiable in your piece. A you have gained permission from each person appearing in
your video. You will need to get a Participant Release form signed by the parent or guardian for each person
in your video that is under 18 years of age. These need to be submitted with your submission form and video.
You should also ensure that everyone else appearing in your video has given you permission to include them
in the video and that they are aware that you are submitting it to Student News. You should get everyone
appearing in your video to sign a release form and keep it on file.
keep it on file.
When will I know if my story is being included?
We will notify you in writing within 2 weeks of your submission if we select your story for airing on Student News.
Does it cost anything to submit a story?
No, submitting is free.
Do I get any money for submitting a story?
No, but on the bright side, you might see yourself on TV!
How should I credit people who appear in the story?
In general, you will want to sign off by acknowledging key people who are being interviewed or shown during the
piece. And you should make sure to sign off by crediting yourself. For example, “This is Jane Doe and Lisa
Smith reporting for Student News” or “This is the Russian Club reporting for Student News.” They can be at the
start or at the end of the segment.
What do groups need to know?
School groups are welcome to submit Student News stories using the submission form, as described above.
The entry form must be signed either by the club advisor or someone else who has the authority to grant ACTV
the requested terms and conditions. School groups will need to include a signed Participant Release form for
each student appearing in the video. These should be submitted with the video and signed Submission Form.
CREATIVE ISSUES
How long should the story be?
The news segment must be between 1-5 minutes from start to finish.
Can I shoot my video anywhere I like?
Yes, but we would like the video to be a news story that would be of interest to teens living in the Pioneer Valley.
What can I make my video about?
Ideally, news segments would fit into one of the following categories:
1) Headlines
2) 1 minute Editorial/Sound-Off (this should be approximately 1 minute in length)
3) Town/School Government and politics
4) Arts
5) Sports
6) Special feature (which can cover a wide range of topics)
7) Nose-to-Nose (where 2 or more people respectfully debate an issue). Again, the topic can be wide-ranging,
from taking opposing positions on a controversial policy to whether a popular movie is any good.
Can it contain sexual or violent content?
No, your video must not contain any sexually explicit or violent content.
What music can I use in my video?
You must only use music that you have full copyright clearance for or have obtained written permission to use.
This must cover performance, arrangement and lyrics (if relevant). The best way to add music to your video is
to make it yourself or ask a colleague or friend to help create it. ACTV will only publish videos that are music
copyright cleared. We recommend that you don't use commercial music such as music from bands or singers
from a commercial CD in your video, as it is difficult and expensive to get copyright clearance to use this music.
This includes any music that might be playing in the background of your video, such as a radio turned on. If you
do decide to use commercial music you will need to include documentation from the music publisher to show
that you have cleared rights to use the piece of music.
If you are including a school performance in your video, you will need to include a Music/Performance Release
form that declares you have permission to use that music in your video.
You can use music that has no copyright or is in the Public Domain. An internet search for 'public domain
music' might help you find such music.
How can I get production music to use?
There is production music available that you can license at a reasonable price. For more information on
production music go to http://www.apra.com.au/music-users/production_music.asp
TECHNICAL ISSUES
Can someone help me learn how to make a video?
Absolutely. We have students who can advise or work with you on a piece and ACTV has periodic trainings for
anyone who is interested. Contact us at wolfj13@gmail.com to let us know what you need, and we can help
direct you to resources
What format do I need to shoot on?
You need to shoot your video on a digital video camera.
What format do I need to deliver the video on?
The video has to be delivered in one of the following formats; Mini-DV or as an uncompressed QUICKTIME
movie on DVD.
What ratio should my video be in?
At this time we would prefer a 4:3 ratio. However, a 16:9 ratio is fine.
How should I record sound?
The audio needs to be good enough to be shown on TV. We recommend you use an external microphone to
record any audio, particularly voices, rather than the on-board, internal camera microphone.
SUBMISSION
Send the submission form , permission forms (both at the bottom of this page), and video segment to:
Student News/Riverwolf Productions
c/o Building Harmonies
PO Box 3227
Amherst MA 01004-3227
You can also hand-deliver the segment to Reed Elkinton or Joshua Wolfsun at Amherst Regional High
School.
Anyone between the ages of 12-19 can submit a story idea, feature segment, or news item to Student News.
Please note that although you can get your parents, teachers, or other adults to help you make the video, the
story must be presented by a teen, a group of teens (such as a school club), or another type of youth group.
What is the deadline for submissions?
There is no deadline for submissions, but it’s helpful if your story is current (so don’t wait too long to submit!)
Can I submit more than one Student News story?
Yes, you can enter more than one Student News story. Each entry must come with a separate submission form
and tape or DVD submitted.
Can I submit a video I have made previously?
Yes you can submit videos you have made previously. However, you must have copyright permission for all the
content, including music. Make sure you comply with the titling and duration rules.
What is a Music Release form and when do I need to include one with my entry?
A Music Release form gives permission to use the music on your video if it is broadcast on ACTV. If the music
on your video is composed and performed by you, a colleague or a friend, you will need to fill in a Music
Release form for each composition or performance and include it with your video. There are two forms to use;
one for an individual's own work and one for a group or band's own work.
What is a Participant Release Form and when do I need to send them in with my submission?
Participant Release Form for each person that is identifiable in your piece. A Participant Release Form for
each person that is identifiable in your piece. A you have gained permission from each person appearing in
your video. You will need to get a Participant Release form signed by the parent or guardian for each person
in your video that is under 18 years of age. These need to be submitted with your submission form and video.
You should also ensure that everyone else appearing in your video has given you permission to include them
in the video and that they are aware that you are submitting it to Student News. You should get everyone
appearing in your video to sign a release form and keep it on file.
keep it on file.
When will I know if my story is being included?
We will notify you in writing within 2 weeks of your submission if we select your story for airing on Student News.
Does it cost anything to submit a story?
No, submitting is free.
Do I get any money for submitting a story?
No, but on the bright side, you might see yourself on TV!
How should I credit people who appear in the story?
In general, you will want to sign off by acknowledging key people who are being interviewed or shown during the
piece. And you should make sure to sign off by crediting yourself. For example, “This is Jane Doe and Lisa
Smith reporting for Student News” or “This is the Russian Club reporting for Student News.” They can be at the
start or at the end of the segment.
What do groups need to know?
School groups are welcome to submit Student News stories using the submission form, as described above.
The entry form must be signed either by the club advisor or someone else who has the authority to grant ACTV
the requested terms and conditions. School groups will need to include a signed Participant Release form for
each student appearing in the video. These should be submitted with the video and signed Submission Form.
CREATIVE ISSUES
How long should the story be?
The news segment must be between 1-5 minutes from start to finish.
Can I shoot my video anywhere I like?
Yes, but we would like the video to be a news story that would be of interest to teens living in the Pioneer Valley.
What can I make my video about?
Ideally, news segments would fit into one of the following categories:
1) Headlines
2) 1 minute Editorial/Sound-Off (this should be approximately 1 minute in length)
3) Town/School Government and politics
4) Arts
5) Sports
6) Special feature (which can cover a wide range of topics)
7) Nose-to-Nose (where 2 or more people respectfully debate an issue). Again, the topic can be wide-ranging,
from taking opposing positions on a controversial policy to whether a popular movie is any good.
Can it contain sexual or violent content?
No, your video must not contain any sexually explicit or violent content.
What music can I use in my video?
You must only use music that you have full copyright clearance for or have obtained written permission to use.
This must cover performance, arrangement and lyrics (if relevant). The best way to add music to your video is
to make it yourself or ask a colleague or friend to help create it. ACTV will only publish videos that are music
copyright cleared. We recommend that you don't use commercial music such as music from bands or singers
from a commercial CD in your video, as it is difficult and expensive to get copyright clearance to use this music.
This includes any music that might be playing in the background of your video, such as a radio turned on. If you
do decide to use commercial music you will need to include documentation from the music publisher to show
that you have cleared rights to use the piece of music.
If you are including a school performance in your video, you will need to include a Music/Performance Release
form that declares you have permission to use that music in your video.
You can use music that has no copyright or is in the Public Domain. An internet search for 'public domain
music' might help you find such music.
How can I get production music to use?
There is production music available that you can license at a reasonable price. For more information on
production music go to http://www.apra.com.au/music-users/production_music.asp
TECHNICAL ISSUES
Can someone help me learn how to make a video?
Absolutely. We have students who can advise or work with you on a piece and ACTV has periodic trainings for
anyone who is interested. Contact us at wolfj13@gmail.com to let us know what you need, and we can help
direct you to resources
What format do I need to shoot on?
You need to shoot your video on a digital video camera.
What format do I need to deliver the video on?
The video has to be delivered in one of the following formats; Mini-DV or as an uncompressed QUICKTIME
movie on DVD.
What ratio should my video be in?
At this time we would prefer a 4:3 ratio. However, a 16:9 ratio is fine.
How should I record sound?
The audio needs to be good enough to be shown on TV. We recommend you use an external microphone to
record any audio, particularly voices, rather than the on-board, internal camera microphone.
SUBMISSION
Send the submission form , permission forms (both at the bottom of this page), and video segment to:
Student News/Riverwolf Productions
c/o Building Harmonies
PO Box 3227
Amherst MA 01004-3227
You can also hand-deliver the segment to Reed Elkinton or Joshua Wolfsun at Amherst Regional High
School.
| NEWS SEGMENT GUIDELINES & SUBMISSION FORM |
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