• 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 (i.e., Monroe High School, Monroe, PA; Hindu Jain Temple, Santa Clara, CA; etc.)
  -	Time period (i.e., 1830's; 1957; 2011; etc.)
  -	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. Video copyright-and-release instructions for video participants follow in Video section.)
  -	Background music or other music (List by title, composer and performer. 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.)
• Research on the topic is required from four or more sources, which may include: books, academic journals, news magazines, government documents or publications.
• 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 5-7 minutes in play length and original work of student entrant.
• Video should be student’s choice of news broadcast, to include video and/or interviews; 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 other video entry materials per instructions below under Timeline. Click here for copyright and release authorization forms. (Scroll down at the link for three categories of forms. If your school, filmed locations, etc., have their own copyright-and-release form, those forms may be submitted instead.)

  -	Signed authorization is required from each person whose voice is heard or image filmed, including still shots and photographs of individuals. (Images of individuals not clearly recognizable, such as those moving on a crowded sidewalk, individuals standing off in the distance, etc., do not require a signed release form.)
  -	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 and video footage obtained online should be copyright and royalty free.
  -	All music, including background music, must be copyright free or created by student.

• Video will be submitted by mail on a disc AND uploaded onto YouTube. Video copy on disc facilitates office needs, and YouTube access facilitates judge viewing nationwide. More instructions on that follow under Timeline.
• Student should save and 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 14 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 video script, disc and other mailed materials, as instructed below under #3.
  

• 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 essays and videos prepared, not just the number of essays and videos being mailed/submitted to the competition).
  

• As noted earlier, video will be submitted in two ways—by YouTube video upload AND mailed in on a disc.
• On or before November 26, use your existing YouTube account or create an account, if you do not have one. (Instructions on how to create an account and upload a video are found at: http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en-GB&answer=157177.)
• Upload competition video to your YouTube account.
• Title: Title video by its ID number only, such as: ID# 1387.
• Description: Leave blank.
• Tags: Leave blank.
• Category: Leave blank.
• Privacy: Check "Unlisted."
• After you have uploaded your video, review it all the way through to be certain that it views and plays well. If it has problems, review instructions at http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/topic.py?topic=16547, make adjustments, and reload.
• Next, prepare an email to send to competition@firstfreedom.org and:

  -	Include in the subject line your ID number only, such as ID# 2153.
  -	In the email text, repeat your ID number.
  -	Under ID number in email text, copy-and-paste your video's YouTube link (the URL address found under Sharing Options in the URL box).
  -	Include your first and last name under video link.
  -	Send email.  (Please, nothing but ID number, video link, and your name in email text.)

• Also on or before November 26, save video compatible with Windows 97-2003 operating systems in .mp4 format onto a disc to be mailed in with materials listed below. Place video disc in case or sufficient protective wrapping for mailing. (Note: Video MUST be saved in .mp4 format and compatible with Windows 97-2003 to qualify! When saved correctly, your disc will open as one file, not as group of files, which is required for posting video on websites, in exhibits, etc. Video should be saved in .mp4 format on a DVD data disc, and should NOT be saved as DVD video format.)
• In addition, 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.)
• Next, place disc and scripts/bibliography in large envelope. Do not fold paperwork.
• Also include all signed copyright-and-release forms in envelope. (Student should keep photocopies of copyright-and release-forms, registration, and saved copy of video script, bibliography, and video production.)
• Mail to:

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

• There is no entry fee.
• No paperwork entry materials 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 26 postmark deadline.