Thirty-First Annual National Council on Family Relations Media Awards Competition*

Abstract

Thirty-First Annual National Council on Family Relations Media Awards Competition* The 1999 annual National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Media Competition was hosted by the Department of Family and Child Ecology and the College of Human Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI during June and July of 1999. The purpose of the annual competition is to evaluate the quality and conceptual content of videos, 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 solicited were placed in one of the following 14 categories: Addiction/Substance Abuse; Aging; Contemporary Social Issues, Families with Special Needs; Family Violence/ Abuse; Human Development; Marital and Family Issues and Communication; Mental Health, Stress. Transitions and Crisis Management; Diverse Family Systems; Parenting Issues; Sexuality and Sex Role Development; Teenage Pregnancy and Sexuality; STD/AIDS; and other Public Service Announcements. Guidelines for submission required that all videos be firsttime entries to the competition. carry a release date of no earlier than January 1. 1997, and be available for purchase, rental, or loan on a nation-wide distribution basis. Multiple entries for producer/distributor within categories were permissible. All entries, which were to be 1/2 videocassette recordings, were to be received by May 15, 1999. Entries could also be submitted on CDROM if available. A total of 101 entries (videotapes) were received; 99 videotapes and two CD-ROMs. Two categories (Sexuality and Sex Role Development; Teenage Pregnancy and Sexuality) did not receive more than three videos this year. In these situations, all videos were nonetheless reviewed by a full committee, and recognized only if they met the criteria of excellence defined by the review committees. The video, The farmer's wife, is receiving special recognition from NCFR this year. This 6-hour PBS documentary was reviewed separately by two different review teams. Both felt it was appropriate for recognition within their respective categories, but it was deemed by two other committees that this might also be an appropriate video in their categories as well. Because of its length, its relation to multiple categories, and overall excellence, a decision was made to single this video out as separate and unique. The judging panels included university faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students from several academic departments at Michigan State University (e.g., Family and Child Ecology, Journalism, Psychology, Communication) and Michigan State University Extension. Individuals from various communitybased organizations in East Lansing, MI also participated in this year's review panels. Following the viewing of each entry, judges were asked to independently make both quantitative (79 possible points) and qualitative assessments. The evaluation form consisted of four major quantitative categories designed to measure the entries based on: (1) content (30 possible points); (2) general issues (9 possible points), which included length. pacing, and flow of media entry; (3) artistic quality (20 possible points); and (4) ability to meet stated goals (20 possible points). This was followed bv an overall rating which was the sum of the four categories, and a qualitative section that asked judges for comments on the major strengths and weaknesses, as well as suggestions for improvement. Each video was reviewed by at least two judges. In the event of a tie, the videos were evaluated by a third independent reviewer. If a duplicate score was awarded, the videos were honored with a duplicate award. The following list identifies the Winner, Runner Up, and Honorable Mention recipients for each of the fourteen categories. …