STAR Award Entry Tips

Listed below are tips derived from comments made by judges from previous competitions.  These tips are designed to help your station produce better entries and be a serious contender.  If you have any questions about these tips or the requirements for entry in a particular category, please call the SCBA office at (803) 732-1186.

• Judges are from out of state and are not familiar with your station (format, talent, station image, etc.) so provide the proper context for your entry.  Don't assume the judges already know something about your station.

• When preparing your entries, follow the criteria outlined in the brochure exactly.  Judges strictly adhere to the criteria when judging each entry and neglecting to provide information for a particular criterion could affect your chances of winning.

• Adhere to the time limit.  Judges can only view the material within the stated time limit.  Don't risk having a portion of your entry missed because it falls outside the time limit.

• When a category asks for a montage, judges suggest you include a variety of examples on the CD/tape that provide support for each stated criterion.  Pick examples from various shows, newscasts, etc. to show diversity.

• Make sure entries submitted are original particularly in the production categories.  Avoid submitting pieces that rely heavily on national concepts, characters, etc. that could raise questions about copyright issues.  Also, spots containing music must have used music in the public domain or used copyrighted music with permission.  If the judges consider something questionable, it could affect your chances of winning.

• Great introductions can enhance your presentation but make sure your presentation is complete and contains elements that address the stated criteria.

• Unless your entry is thoroughly self-explanatory, judges encourage you to submit a supporting narrative to help them better understand your entry.

• When submitting a written narrative for any category, make sure the narrative accurately supports the audio or video presentation and vice versa.  The narrative should complement your presentation and serve as a companion piece.  (i.e. If you mention your station held a radio-a-thon in your written materials make sure your presentation contains audio from the actual event and if you have audio from the event in your presentation, make sure you mention the event in your written materials.)

• When possible, introduce third parties to tell your story in your audio or video presentation as well as in your written materials--particularly in the "Station of the Year" categories and the "Richard M. Uray Service Project of the Year" categories. (i.e. viewers/listeners tell why your station is great; representatives from charitable organizations tell how your station has helped them, etc.)

• Avoid excessive use of jingles, bumpers, etc. in entries especially for "Radio Show of the Year" and "Radio Station of the Year."  Make the entry material clean and relevant.

• For "Radio Show of the Year," entries should be a montage/"best of" presentation so judges get a good feel for the day-to-day flavor of the show.  Avoid submitting a short segment from one show.  Edit a piece that contains bits from several different shows and showcases the various elements of the show.  Remember, judges are not familiar with your show so tell a story that paints a clear picture for them.

• For "Station of the Year" categories, send written materials outlining exactly what the criteria are requesting.  Attempt to cover all the different elements in your audio or video presentation showcasing the station's efforts during the contest period but remember-- adhere to the time limit.

• For "Radio Station of the Year," be certain the entry addresses all of the stated criteria in your CD and in your narrative.  Don't forget to showcase the different programming aspects of the station including a flavor of the format, all talent, shows, etc.  Remember, judges are not familiar with your station so tell a complete story that paints a clear picture of your station.

• For "Service Project of the Year" categories, send written materials outlining exactly what the criteria are requesting.  A video or audio tape must be submitted including footage/audio from the actual event or a presentation recapping the event and its impact.  The entries in this category should highlight planned projects not unplanned events and explain how the project elements were organized.