RTS Midlands 2023 Awards | Entry Now Open!

RTS MIDLANDS CENTRE AWARDS 2023

You are invited to submit programmes or other content which were or will be broadcast and/or published between 1^st July 2022 to 30th June 2023 for consideration for the Midlands Centre Awards for 2023.

ENTRY INFORMATION – PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY

Programmes or content must have been produced, published, commissioned, or creatively controlled by a Midlands based company or must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) and/or principally produced in the Midlands.
Midlands Region for the purposes of these Awards includes Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, and Worcestershire.
RTS Midlands strongly encourages diversity, in all its forms, across all categories. In common with other RTS awards, entrants should bear in mind in selecting their entries that judges are asked to ensure that these awards reflect diversity within the industry and within wider society.
The entry must have been first broadcast, released or published on a media platform between 1/7/22 and 30/6/23
You may enter your work whether you are a member of the RTS or not.
All entries must be submitted online by following this link:

https://awardsentry.rts.org.uk/entrant

You will need to register as a user in order to submit your entries.
Once you have registered you will need to Create Entry. In this section you can upload any relevant documentation that you would like the judges to consider.
To upload your video, go to the Video Management tab
Please ensure when submitting your entry online that you complete all the relevant boxes for each entry.
Please attach any supporting documentation that you would like the judges to consider to the submission when prompted
When submitting your entry make sure you choose to create your entry for RTS MIDLANDS AWARDS as other centres awards will also be listed here.
Please ensure all spellings are correct at the time of entry as we will copy and paste our information from the information submitted onto the system by you.
A 20 second clip of each entry must be submitted along with your entries (not instead of your entry). If your entry is nominated, this clip will be used as part of the presentation at the awards dinner, so please ensure it showcases your entry effectively.
If you are entering the same piece of work into more than one category, please ensure you submit a different 20 second clip for each entry.
Please ensure you submit your 20 second clip via the Video Management option and clearly mark it as “20 second clip for <<entry title and category entered>>”.
Please submit this as well as your entries and not instead of the full item.
20 second clip requirements:
- 20 second clip with fade from black and fade out to black
- No clocks
- File type MP4 only
- Specify exactly which entry it is for including name of entrant and category
- The onscreen caption for your entry clip (title, production company, where it was broadcast, any other relevant information)

ENTRY FEES

There is an entry fee of £55 plus VAT per category.

If a programme is entered in one or more categories, a payment is required for each category entered.
Entries will not be considered unless full payment has been made before the closing date for entries.

MIDLANDS SHOW REEL

If you would like us to include your work in the RTS Midlands 2023 show-reel, please upload an additional clip of your work to the section marked Midlands Show Reel. Please make this a different 20 second clip to the one you will be uploading which will be shown if your work is nominated. By uploading your clips, you are giving RTS permission to use your work to promote production in the Midlands via RTS social media and You Tube channels. Please note clips will only be used where appropriate and whilst we will try to include all clips submitted, we will not guarantee to include your work.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Please ensure you include the twitter handles you would like used for any social media activity in the supporting documentation.

HOW TO PAY

An invoice will be generated upon submission of your entry. Please use the details on the invoice to make your payment.
Please note until the administration of all entries is completed (mid-August), your payment will show as UNPAID on the submission system. This does not mean you have not paid and in due course when the administration process is completed, all entries that have been paid for will state this on the system. Please bear with us during the administration process.
Purchase orders should be emailed to RTSMidlands@rts.org.uk
Any entry not paid for by Friday 11^th August may be disqualified

ENTRY DEADLINES

The closing date for entries is Friday 14^th July 2023. Entries received after this date will not be considered.
The online submission system will be open for you to submit entries from 9am on 28th April 2023

RTS Midlands Awards Categories 2023

Category Title

Overview

1.Drama

This category is for best scripted dramatic mini-series, a one off special or a returning series.

It must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) and/or principally produced in the Midlands.
You must enter one whole episode from the series or the whole of a single drama.
The judges will be looking for high quality storytelling, originality, creativity, and technical expertise throughout the production.

2.Comedy and Entertainment

This category is for best scripted comedy series and/or entertainment series, or a comedy/entertainment one off special.

It must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) and/or principally produced in the Midlands.
You must enter one whole episode from the series or the whole of a single comedy/entertainment special.
The judges will be looking for high quality storytelling, originality, creativity, and technical expertise throughout the production.

3.Drama Performance

This award recognises an outstanding acting performance in a drama series, one off special or returning drama series

Entrants should be from the Midlands, based in the Midlands or feature in content produced in the Midlands.
Entrants should submit one piece of edited work showcasing the range of dramatic performances they wish to enter.

4.Comedy and Entertainment Performance

This award recognises an outstanding performance in a comedy and entertainment series, a one off special or a returning series. This could be acting in a scripted show or presenting in an entertainment show, with the focus on the comedy.

Entrants should be from the Midlands, based in the Midlands or feature in content produced in the Midlands.
Entrants should submit one piece of edited work showcasing the range of comedy and/or entertainment performance.

5. Writer

This award recognises a writer/writing team that craft work which stands out on screen.

The judges will be looking for quality, originality, style and creativity from this writer.
This award is for anyone who received a writing credit on any qualifying show including drama, comedy, factual, children’s TV or programmes featuring significant amounts of scripted content.
The programme may be across any platform, including regional, national, international, and digital formats.
Please submit either the full programme or, in the case of a series, one programme from the series.
Writers must either be Midlands based or originally from the Midlands.

6.Director

This award recognises the excellence in direction on screen, in either scripted or unscripted genres.

Judges are looking for creativity, an authenticity in representation, evocative visual storytelling, and an understanding of capturing emotion.
Please submit up to three 5-minute examples of work demonstrating the range of directing styles that most represent the director.
Directors must either be Midlands based or originally from the Midlands.

7. Breakthrough Award:

On Screen

This award recognises the new and exceptional on screen talent from either broadcast, digital or online platforms across the region. This may include:

presenters

actors
reporters

-Entries should be up to a maximum of 10 minutes in length and should include a minimum of two items to demonstrate the talent.

-Please note – to qualify as new talent, entrants must not have previously submitted entries for the main RTS Awards.

-Entrants should be from the Midlands, based in the Midlands or feature in content produced in the Midlands.

8. Breakthrough Award:

Off Screen

This award recognises the very best of the new talent from the broadcast, digital and online community across the region and includes:

Craft skills (editing, sound, camera etc)
Writers
Producers
Directors
Postproduction

-Entries should be up to a maximum of 10 minutes in length and should include a minimum of two items to demonstrate the talent.

-Please note – to qualify as new talent, entrants must not have previously entered any RTS Awards.

-Entrants should be from the Midlands, based in the Midlands or feature in content produced in the Midlands.

9. Journalist of the Year

The Journalist of the Year award is for the best work during the year by a broadcast or online journalist either from the Midlands or Midlands based.

Reporters, video, online journalists and correspondents are welcome to enter, they can be specialists or in general news reporting.
This award is open to news organisations, agencies, websites, or production companies.
Broadcast entries should be no longer than 30 minutes with no internal edits in individual reports.
Online entries should be no longer than 10 minutes.
The entry should include a minimum of three items to demonstrate the range of the journalist.

10. News Feature of the Year

The award for best news feature recognises quality of coverage, presentation, access, and information in reporting a matter of public interest.

The entry must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) and/or principally produced in the Midlands.

11. Craft: Production

This award recognises achievement behind the camera and includes:

Camera work
Sound
Lighting
Production design
Costume
Drone camera work

Entrants must either be Midlands based or originally from the Midlands

12. Craft: Post-Production

This award recognises achievement in creative artistry, innovation and audio & visual manipulation and includes:

video or film editing
music/ composing - original score or original song
sound mixing & editing
visual effects

Judges will also consider ingenuity in approaches including remote direction of artists, creativity within the confines of socially distanced filming and scriptwriting to reflect the sudden new norm.

Entrants must either be Midlands based or originally from the Midlands.

13. Popular Factual

This category recognises the best of popular factual formats and series’ including cooking, lifestyle, property, dating, travel, reality, hobby based or home & garden genres.

Judges will be looking for accessible, impactful and authentic content with strong audience engagement.
Entries must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.
Entries can be one episode of a series or a one-off programme.

14. Specialist Factual

This category recognises the best of specialist factual content programmes or series. The subject areas generally include science, medicine, natural history, the environment, engineering, history and the arts.

Entries must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.
Entries can be one episode of a series or a one-off programme.

15. Documentary

This category recognises the best documentary series or one-off special that demonstrates relevance, originality, high quality and creativity.

Current Affairs content can be included in this category.
This category will be judged on exploring new angles on familiar topics, highlighting underreported stories/issues and depth of research. Consideration may be given to the impact the series/special made.
Entrants can submit a full single feature, single episode or a montage of a series for consideration.
Entries must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.
The programme may be across any platform, including regional, national, international, and digital formats.

16. Short Film

This award is for short film- up to 20 minutes - broadcast on any platform - non scripted / scripted.

All entries must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.

17. Promotional

This award recognises production excellence and creativity in content made to promote products or services.

Content may be promotional, public information, training, educational, entertainment, special interest or other purposes and can be broadcast on any platform.
Entries must be from, about or made for a Midlands based company.

18. Animation

This award is for films that include cartoons, computer, or electronically generated images

Entries can be 2D or 3D animation, motion graphics or stop motion.
Where the animation/CGI sequence or sequences are part of a production with other portrayal, the judges will consider primarily the quality of the animated/CGI sequences
Entries can be a stand-alone animation piece or an animation insert to another piece of work
Judges will be looking for outstanding skill and creativity in the craft of animation and how well the animation works for its target audience.

Entries must be from a Midlands based company or individual or must be part of a programme made about or in the Midlands

19. Creative Community Award

This category focuses on non-broadcast work in the region that helps to educate, train or raise awareness of the Midlands screen sector.

Judges are looking for projects that develop talent, connect with the creative communities across the Midlands and/or build relationships across the screen sector.

10.Diversity Champion Award

Open to individuals, teams or organisations who are championing diversity in the Midlands screen sector both on and off air.

Judges will be looking for work that is helping to break down barriers and/or helping to connect to underrepresented groups.
Work should recognise and highlight race, gender, disability, age, LGBGTQ+, religion and socio-economic diversity.

21. On Screen personality

This award recognises an outstanding on-screen personality from the Midlands or featured within a Midland based production broadcast on any platform.

Presenter
Journalist
Show host
Interviewer
Commentator

The subject covered by the personality will not be judged. It will be the individual’s delivery and on-screen relationship with the viewer that will be considered.

-Dramatic characterisations are not eligible (see Acting categories).

-Entries should be a maximum of 10 minutes in length and should include a maximum of three examples of work.

-Entrants should be from the Midlands, based in the Midlands or feature in content produced in the Midlands.