91探花

For the 21^st year, 91探花 Southern will host a media competition to recognize excellence in the creation of high school video, audio and multimedia projects. OHIO Southern鈥檚 electronic media program, which educates students in video production, audio production and interactive design, hosts the event.

鈥淲e like to recognize student work in a public venue where their peers can see 鈥� and maybe even get inspired from 鈥� the work they create,鈥� said Ernie Hall, electronic media production assistant at OHIO Southern.

Students in grade 9-12 from across the university鈥檚 Tri-State service area are invited to participate, and the award categories range from animation to podcasting, news stories to digital photography.

鈥淭丑别 EMPixx competition highlights area schools that have media programs, giving them an opportunity to showcase their excellent student work,鈥� said Brian Corea, director of the university鈥檚 electronic media program.

Local media professionals will judge the entries, which are submitted by the schools. Judges will use a standardized form to critique the projects, based on criteria used by other media competitions. Hall indicated that this is important to prepare the students to enter high-level competitions, such as the Emmys or Associated Press awards.

鈥淢any of these categories have specific entry requirements, to makes it even across the board. Everybody has to take those elements and figure out how to combine them into a production,鈥� said Corea. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 a commercial or entertainment, they can show their creativity. But there鈥檚 an even measuring stick so that everybody鈥檚 on the same playing field using the same tools.鈥�

Corea said the competition is a great starting point for students who are interested in a future in the media industry. 鈥淚 think it encourages them to not be afraid to put their work out there. If they get into media work, everything they do will be critiqued,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think that means something to them too, to get feedback and see what other industry professionals think about what they did. It starts them on the path.鈥�

And a critique can be valuable. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e getting some type of benefit just by entering. You will see, 鈥楾his is where my work is, this is where I need to grow,鈥欌�� said Hall.

Hall stressed that all students may submit entries through their schools. 鈥淓ven if you鈥檙e not in a media class, find an instructor at your local school to help you submit. Some people have natural talent and can tell a story without formal training,鈥� he said.

The most important part of the process is having fun, said Hall. 鈥淚 joined media to have fun. I think telling stories is fun. I think being creative in the way you tell stories is fun. I want the students to enjoy both the creation process and the final product.鈥�

Entries are being accepted at ohio.edu/southern/empixx through March 31, and winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on April 21 at OHIO Southern.

For more information, email Brian Corea or reach him by phone at 740-533-4575.