The 36th Annual National Council on Family Relations Media Awards Competition

Abstract

The 36th Annual National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Media Awards Competition was co-sponsored by the National Institute for Media and the Family, Minneapolis, MN. The purpose of the annual competition is to evaluate the quality and conceptual content of videos for educational and commercial purposes, to endorse excellence in the production of films with themes relevant to family issues, to promote the effective use of these resources, to encourage high standards in the development of creative learning opportunities, and to disseminate media competition results. Entries received were placed in one of the following 12 subject categories: Addiction/Substance Abuse; Aging Intergenerational Issues; STD/AIDS; Families with Special Needs; Family Violence/Abuse; Human Development Across the Life Span; Marital & Family Issues and Communications; Mental Health, Stress, Transition, Crisis; Diverse Family Systems; Parenting Issues; Sexuality & Sex Role Development; Teenage Pregnancy & Sexuality. Guidelines for submission required that all videos be first-time entries in the competition and carry a release date of no earlier than January 1, 2003. Multiple entries for producer/ distributor within categories were permitted. All entries were received by March 15, 2004. In addition to half-inch videocassette recordings, entries were also submitted on CD-ROM. Judging panels for each entry were comprised of 3 content area specialists in research, education, and community services from across the country. The judges scored each entry in 12 categories covering subject area content, objectives of the producer, audience appeal, accurate information, artistic quality, and production. A 5 point Likert scale was used to assess up to 60 possible points, or a perfect score. A qualitative assessment was also used to obtain an overall rating. The average of the 3 scores was used in determining the outstanding productions. The first place winners listed here are honored for entries in these categories. In addition, recognition is given to the runner-up and honorable mention recipients of each subject category on the basis of numerical rankings of the entries as determined by the above criteria. The following list identifies the first place winners, the runner-up, and the honorable mention recipient of each of the 12 topics. The synopsis, goals, and objectives of each entry provided by the video's producer/director do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the National Council on Family Relations, the competition coordinators, or the judges. Purchase and rental prices are provided courtesy of the producers. The entrants noted their intended audiences. 1. Addiction/Substance Abuse * Winner: Confronting Drunk Driving (27:00). Producer/Distributor: Human Relations Media, 41 Kensico Drive, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. E-mail: orders@hrmvideo.com. Purchase Price: $139.95. Audience: Junior High, High School Synopsis: This video features three stories of teens involved in serious car crashes. Law enforcement officers also explain the legal risks involved in drinking and driving. Also, the program offers important tips about how to avoid being a passenger in a car driven by an intoxicated driver. Goals and Objectives: The purpose of this program is to present to students grades 7-12 the real dangers of driving while intoxicated. * Honorable Mention: Underage Drinking: Know the Facts, Know the Risks (27:00). Producer/Distributor: Human Relations Media, 41 Kensico Drive, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. E-mail: orders@hrmvideo.com. Purchase Price: $139.95. 2. Aging/lntergenerational Issues * Winner: Day of Independence (27:00). Producer/Distributor: Cedar Grove Productions, PO Box 29772, Los Angeles, CA 90029. E-mail: cedarmail@aol.com. Purchase Price: TBD. Audience: General Synopsis: Zip, a young Nisei (second generation Japanese American) baseball pitcher, faces tragic circumstances amidst the internment of 110,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II. …