1. Aviva Okeson-Haberman, Sabrina Ollis, Central Intelligence, Central HS, Springfield, Missouri
2. Matt Smith Jr., DTV News Live, Davison HS, Davison, Michigan
3. Matthew Martinez, Anaissa Medina, Jag News Net, Joseph Gregori HS, Modesto, California
4. Staff, LHS-TV and Films/Ladue View, Ladue Horton Watkins HS, St. Louis, Missouri
5. Betsy Bullock, Cole Lowery, Isaiah Schmidt, Wave TV, Summerville HS, Summerville, South Carolina
HM. Jose Contreras, Armida Zepeda, Jaguar News, South Mountain HS, Phoenix, Arizona
HM. Daniel Villanueva, David Perez, Sebastian Planas, CCNN Live, Christopher Columbus HS, Miami, Florida
HM. Natasha Finder, Lauren Lenzen, Morgan Engel, Blue Jay Journal, Washington HS, Washington, Missouri
HM. Bailey Stone, Frisco ISD-TV, Frisco ISD Career & Technical Education Center, Frisco, Texas
HM. Julian Esparza, NTV-North Television, McKinney North HS, McKinney, Texas
1. Noah Hanson, VCTV, Valley Christian HS, Cerritos, California
2. Jon Bass, Warrior Television-WTV, Westside HS, Omaha, Nebraska
3. Kevin Ly, Baron Broadcast News, Fountain Valley HS, Fountain Valley, California
4. Hailey Hess, Nick Wilson, KCBY-TV, Coppell HS, Coppell, Texas
5. Rachel Haik, Tristan Brooks, Central Intelligence, Central HS, Springfield, Missouri
HM. Charles Lemmon, Channel 5 Titan TV News, Antelope HS, Antelope, California
HM. Tommy Tran, Ali Andronico, Jag News Net, Joseph Gregori HS, Modesto, California
HM. Brittany Coffey, Southside Scoop/PHS-TV, Park Hill South HS, Riverside, Missouri
HM. Connor Hills, Shaefer Schuetz, Southside Scoop/PHS-TV, Park Hill South HS, Riverside, Missouri
HM. Maria Lempke, Frisco ISD-TV, Frisco ISD Career & Technical Education Center, Frisco, Texas
1. Sam Meredith, Matthew Martinez, Jag News Net, Joseph Gregori HS, Modesto, California
2. David Perez, Daniel Villanueva, Danyel DeVilliers, Anthony Martinez, CCNN Live, Christopher Columbus HS, Miami, Florida
3. Bailey Stone, Frisco ISD-TV, Frisco ISD Career & Technical Education Center, Frisco, Texas
4. Sadie Krall, Danny Sullivan, NHS Update, Norwood HS, Norwood, Massachusetts
5. David Perez, Esteban Larranaga, Matthew Ley, Jose Companioni, CCNN Live, Christopher Columbus HS, Miami, Florida
HM. Jordyn Bensyl, Kaleb Murray, The Axe, Oak Park HS, Kansas City, Missouri
HM. Trace Clinton, DTV News Live, Davison HS, Davison, Michigan
HM. Isaac Knopf, Morgan Fleming, KLHS/Channel 18, Liberty HS, Libery, Missouri
HM. Connor Flairty, Warrior Television-WTV, Westside HS, Omaha, Nebraska
HM. Logan Mayberry, Kendall Oh, Anna Ippolito, Kayden Drake, Gnasher News Team, Gorzycki MS, Austin, Texas
Broadcast News: The HM stories also focused on issues of interest to the target audience of the newscasts. These stories suffered in comparison due to some problems. In general: 1] make sure to use a tripod to shoot stable, well-framed b-roll. 2] Provide natural sound throughout the story. 3] Make sure to light interviews! 4] Avoid pans and tilts. They tend to distract from the visual information provided by a specific shot. 5] Avoid, avoid, avoid reporter opinion in news stories. Even individual words may create bias in a story – “the inadequate cafeteria” is ok if a source in a story calls it that, but not for the reporter to describe it as such]. 6] Generally organize stories so that the viewer hears a soundbite from a student or teacher involved in the issue or event very early in the story [within the first 15-seconds or so]. Use that sound to set up the story [what’s the problem? What is so exciting about this event?]. Toward the middle of the story use sound with the “official” source, typically an administrator, etc. 7] Finally, make sure the story answers all of the basic questions. If the story covers homelessness in a community, make sure to let the viewer know an estimate of the number of homeless people in the community!
Broadcast Feature: Overall, these were good pieces that show maturity beyond high school and college age. The winners stood out because they both used natural sound to let the viewer know you don’t always have to use soundbites to tell a story, sometimes the pictures are enough. The winner clearly stood out on its own. It was done documentry style. Very impressive how he used his selfie stick to shoot video and the placement of the natural sound was beautifully done, letting the pictures tell the story. Very mature and caught my attention instantly with the opening seconds. The second place finisher had great photography and editing sequencing was excellent. Good cuts and kept my attention throughout the piece.
Broadcast Sports: The winners in this category contain steady, sequenced video and meaningful, memorable sound. The interviews offer subjective, first-person insight and the natural sound takes viewer close to the action. These stories are not about traditional competition, but about the human spirit in athletes, coaches and those who support them — the passion that makes sports such a powerful experience.