• Type your script in English, free from spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
• Use Arial or Times New Roman font, 12-point.
• Place title on first page, top center.
• Create a header on each page, top right, that states ID number and page number. (ID number will be received during online registration.)
• In 200 words or less, identify the message (thesis) of the video and explain how the video supports your message.
• Next, briefly list each scene chronologically with its:
  

  -	Main question, point or focus
  -	Location (if applicable)
  -	Time period
  -	Participants/characters (List by name and title, such as Melissa Tobias, high-school student. Include additional credits/titles for experts interviewed, such as Rabbi Martin Goldman, Temple Beth-El, Omaha, Nebraska. Note: Video appearance release instructions follow in Video section.)
  -	Background music or other music (List by title, composer and performer. Note: Copyright and release instructions for music follow in Video section.)

• A bibliography is required to identify research sources and should follow teacher’s preferred bibliography guidelines.  For more information, refer to MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th edition at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01. (Click on links in left column for more in-depth instruction.)
• Four or more books, academic journals, news magazines, newspapers, government documents or publications are required for research on this school year's assigned topic.
• Research should include sources that give hearing to more than one side of a discussion.
• General Encyclopedia (i.e., Wikipedia, Britannica, Americana, World Book) are not acceptable resources.
• Reputable free web sources may be used only to obtain primary source materials (i.e. Internet Modern History Sourcebook), and the bibliography must list the primary document source as the reference.
• Online databases that index reference books, journals, magazines and newspapers are valid sources and must be cited according to teacher's preferred format or the Modern Language Association’s guidelines.  See again: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01.
  

• Video entry should be 3-5 minutes in play length and original work of student entrant.
• Video should be student’s choice of news broadcast, talk show, documentary, short play, commercial, or other video form addressing the topic with such elements as interviews, stills, voice-over, narration, music or other student preferences. Be creative! (It should not be a filmed reading, oratory or PowerPoint.)
• Video must include credits for all participants, locations, music, student producer and/or student production team with appropriate and accurate titles and spelling.
• Student is responsible to obtain required copyright and release forms for video participants, locations and music. Mail in all signed authorization forms with video entry. Click here for copyright and release authorization forms. (Three categories of forms are included.)
  

  -	Signed authorization is required from each person whose voice is heard or image filmed, including still shots and photographs of individuals.
  -	A parent’s or guardian’s signature is required for video participants under the age of 18.
  -	Authorization may also be required for some filming locations, so be certain to ask if authorization is needed and proceed accordingly.
  -	Photographs obtained online for still shots should be copyright and royalty-free stock.
  -	All music, including background music, must be copyright free or created by student.

• Six discs of video entry must be submitted in individual covers/cases suitable for First Freedom Center to mail to individual judges. (View each disc to be certain video and audio play properly.)
• Video entry must be saved compatible with Windows 97 – 2003 operating systems in .mp4 format.
• Student should keep a personal copy of video. Photocopies of copyright and release authorization forms should also be kept by student for student’s personal use of video.
• Videos containing inappropriate language, visuals or music will be disqualified.

• Students must register online on or before the Monday, November 15 deadline.
• For team video entries, each team must select one person to register for the team. Only one student should register per video entry. (Additional team members’ names will be listed on the mailed-in entry form.)
• ID number will be received during online registration. After filling in Registration and Entry (Part I), Part II will immediately pop up with ID number, space for required signatures and more. Part II is to be mailed in with your entry.
  

• Add ID number, received at registration, to script header, top right, on all pages. If student registers online more than once to make changes, etc., the ID number of the final registration should be used.
• Gather required handwritten signatures from parent/guardian and teacher sponsor.
• Sign registration form.
• For video produced by a team, each team member must sign mailed-in registration and obtain signature from parent/guardian.
• Teacher or student must fill in class participation numbers (the “total” number of students in this student’s class period that prepared essays and videos, not just the number of essays and videos being mailed/submitted to the competition).
  

• Burn six copies of video compatible with Windows 97 – 2003 in .mp4 format. (View each disc to be certain video and audio play properly.)
• Label each disc with video title and ID number (may be written on disc with Sharpie, stick-on label, etc.).
• Print six copies of video script and bibliography on white, 8.5” x 11” paper, single sided; then staple. (Note: We are aware that paper size may vary slightly for students outside of the continental United States.)
• Place discs (each in a cover/case suitable for First Freedom Center to mail to individual judges), video scripts, and signed copyright and release authorization forms in a single, large envelope with registration copy on top. Do not fold script.
• Mail to:

First Freedom Student Competition
First Freedom Center
1321 E. Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219-3629

• There is no entry fee.
• No entries accepted electronically!
• Note: Plan ahead! Most United States Post Office branches close at Noon or earlier on Saturday, and some branches are closed on Saturday!
• Note to Students Living Outside of the United States: Please mail your materials at an international postal rate that will get them to us within one week of the November 27 postmark deadline.