The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation is now accepting submissions for two of its renowned student programs: the 33rd College Television Awards competition, and the Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship. These competitions are open to college and graduate students nationwide.
Debbie Slavkin, program director of the college television awards, gave a brief overview of the 33rd annual competition.
“It’s a competition for college student content producers,” Slavkin said. “Students are judged on their work in different categories. We have members of the television academy screen all the students’ work, and pick which ones excel the most.”
Students who are interested in submitting an entry to the competition don’t necessarily need to be in the film program, or even pursuing a degree in the fine arts, to apply.
“You could be a psychology student who does a really great piece on child development,” Slavkin said, adding that guidance and mentoring from a faculty member is also a necessity for submission.
There are 12 different categories for entry, including alternative, comedy, drama and newscasts, among others.
Stephanie Booker, from Beck Media and Marketing, said mtvU, a 24-hour college network, will host the submissions as well as the judging for those who want to follow the contestants’ progress.
Last year, best director winner Justin Higgins spent the summer mentoring with award-winning director Greg Yaitanes, and will be producing an episode of the popular FOX series “House.”
The winners from each category will receive a cash reward, and a few of the selected entries will even have the opportunity to pitch their creations to agents.
For all students who are interested in applying, the deadline for entries is Jan. 11, at 6 p.m. PST. The application deadline for the Fred Rogers memorial scholarship is Feb. 29.
