What should my video include?
What are some examples of an issue of national significance?
How long will it take to make my documentary?
How can I find C-SPAN footage?
What should I do if I can’t download C-SPAN video?
How much C-SPAN video do I have to use?
Is C-SPAN’s video copyright protected?
How do I present more than one point of view?
Who can I interview?
How do I access a video camera or editing equipment?
How will the videos be judged?
What do the judges like?
What is the deadline?
How do I submit my video?
How do I know if my video uploaded successfully?
Do I need to provide prior notice of my intent to enter?
How can I obtain answers to questions I still have about the contest?
How many students may enter together as a team?
When will the winners be announced?

WHAT SHOULD MY VIDEO INCLUDE?

Your documentary MUST include the following five elements:

• An analysis of an issue of national significance
• Inclusion of C-SPAN programming relating to the issue in your documentary
• More than one point of view
• Adherence to the time limit (5 to 8 minutes)
• Credits or a works cited list

• Interviews
• Graphics
• Diagrams
• Still images
• Video pertaining to your issue
• Music
• Narration (Note: If you narrate your documentary, you must write your own script to avoid plagiarism. You can use online or print sources, but you have to put any information you use in your own words.)

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF AN ISSUE OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE?

• Healthcare
• The Iraq War
• Climate Change
• Illegal immigration
• Education
• Social security

You should give yourself at least a month to create your documentary. StudentCam’s 2008 Grand Prize winners, Scott Mitchell and Nick Poss, stated in an online article that it took them three weeks to videotape their interviews and three days to shoot their background video. After that, they still had to edit their documentary.

Below is a suggested time frame:

• Researching and choosing a topic/issue: 1 week
• Planning elements (including C-SPAN programming) in your documentary and setting up interviews: 1-2 weeks
• Filming interviews and B-roll: 2-3 weeks
• Editing final documentary: 1-2 weeks

• You can check C-SPAN’s schedule online, which lists programs on C-SPAN, C-SPAN2 and C-SPAN3, or sign up to receive C-SPAN Alert, a daily email with up-to-date programming information. These resources will help you identify air dates and times of programs or events related to your issue. Once you have identified a program you think you might be able to use, record it to a VCR or DVD Recorder and use your video editing software to load the footage on to your computer.
• C-SPAN’s Video Library is a great resource for past C-SPAN programming. Using the site’s search engine, you may be able to find multiple videos addressing your chosen topic. DVD’s and Videotapes of C-SPAN programming are available for a fee. However, if you have a faculty advisor and they are a C-SPAN Classroom member, your advisor can make a C-SPAN Classroom grant request to obtain a free tape from C-SPAN’s Archives department.
• Our Facebook group has downloadable links of recent C-SPAN programs in .wmv format. The list is growing daily so keep checking back regularly.

  Mac users can use Zamzar to convert files to .mov if you are unable to use the .wmv format. Zamzar is a free online file conversion service.

• We also encourage you to use the free, downloadable clips made available to educators on C-SPAN Classroom. Teachers, who are members of C-SPAN Classroom, have a username and password to access Classroom video clips. Please note that these clips are in Real Media format so first check with your video editing software to ensure that they are compatible.
• A final option, if none of the above suffice, is to capture the streaming video on our Video Library website directly with your video camera. You can ensure the best quality possible by making sure the camera is still and placed squarely in front of the computer monitor. Check light and audio levels until the desired results are found.

• If you are having trouble downloading C-SPAN video, try streaming the video online, point a camera at your computer screen and record the program.
• If a program of interest appears on C-SPAN and you do not have time to record the program, you can also point your camera at the T.V. screen to capture the program.
• If you can only capture audio from a C-SPAN program of interest and you include this audio in your documentary, make sure you identify the source of the audio.

HOW MUCH C-SPAN VIDEO DO I HAVE TO USE?

There is no minimum amount of C-SPAN video you must use. However, do not allow the C-SPAN programming to dominate your documentary. Rather, your use of C-SPAN video should be only enough to enhance your documentary.

IS C-SPAN’S VIDEO COPYRIGHT PROTECTED?

C-SPAN-produced programming is copyright cleared for use in educational applications like StudentCam.

HOW DO I PRESENT MORE THAN ONE POINT OF VIEW?

When presenting more than one point of view in your documentary, you do not have to give equal weight to both or all sides. It is your choice if you want to create an objective documentary that presents balanced views, or if you want to create a documentary that takes a stance but also includes more than one side.

WHO CAN I INTERVIEW?

There are no requirements for who should be interviewed. Students can use their classmates, teachers and family as interview subjects. However, we encourage entrants to consider interviewing experts on their chosen topic as well as local and national political leaders. You may be surprised by who is willing to sit down for an interview!

HOW DO I ACCESS A VIDEO CAMERA OR EDITING EQUIPMENT?

Ask your teacher or your school’s technology teacher if there are video cameras or editing equipment available. If you are unable to do that, try contacting libraries in your area to see if they may have equipment to lend to students. You may also try your local cable affiliate, local television stations or local public access channel.

HOW WILL THE VIDEOS BE JUDGED?

We recognize that students have varying degrees of access to video production equipment and encourage all to apply!

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• Success in capturing the contest's topic
• Quality of expression and creativity
• Inclusion of C-SPAN programming
• Inclusion of more than one viewpoint

Below, you can find comments from past judges.

• Students should try to appear in their video, if appropriate.
• Show more than one point of view.
• Shoot your own B-roll video. An example of B-roll footage includes pictures of churches from last year’s Grand Prize winning video, "Leaving Religion at the Door".
• Explain any graphs or graphics that appear in your documentary.

Entries must be uploaded by 5pm on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009.

HOW DO I SUBMIT MY VIDEO?

Upload your video online in one of the following formats: .avi .mov .mpg .mpg2 .mpeg2 .mpeg4 .mp4 .wmv.

Videos may be as large as 500mb - an average 8 minute video of around 250mb will be clean and crisp once it is uploaded. Please note that the larger the file size, the longer your upload will take to complete.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY VIDEO UPLOADED SUCCESSFULLY?

When you upload your video successfully you will be sent an email with a link to your video. Please be patient after you have uploaded your video. Your video will then go through a secondary encoding process and it may take up to an hour for your video to be viewable.

If you receive the email stating that you have uploaded successfully, and you are able to view your video through the link provided in the email, then your video has successfully been submitted into the competition.

You must also complete the Entry Form to be eligible to win any of the prizes.

DO I NEED TO PROVIDE PRIOR NOTICE OF MY INTENT TO ENTER?

You DO NOT need to provide any prior notice of your intention to enter. The only requirement is that the video documentary and online entry form arrive at C-SPAN's offices by the deadline, which is Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS I STILL HAVE ABOUT THE CONTEST?

Review the Competition Rules and Making a Documentary pages. If you still have questions, contact C-SPAN Classroom at educate@c-span.org or call 1-800-523-7586 between 8:00am-6:00pm ET.

HOW MANY STUDENTS MAY ENTER TOGETHER AS A TEAM?

Students may compete in teams of either 2 or 3 students. Students may also enter the competition as individuals.

WHEN WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?

The 75 winning videos will be announced on Tuesday, March 10, 2009. Winning students will be notified by phone and email.