RTS Midlands Awards 2024

Awards Ceremony

Friday, 29 November, 2024

To make sure we don't miss any of your brilliant work, we have opened the entry system 5 months early!

All of the category and criteria information can be found below. Please ensure you read all information carefully. 

 

 

RTS MIDLANDS CENTRE AWARDS 2024

You are invited to submit programmes or other content which were, or will be broadcast and/or published on any platform between 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024 for consideration for the Midlands Centre Awards for 2024.

 

ENTRY INFORMATION – PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY

Please note, the RTS Midlands email is not manned daily and so we may not respond to your queries immediately. All of the information you need to submit your entry is below.

 

  • 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 1/7/23 and 30/6/24
  • You may enter your work whether or not you are a member of the RTS.
  • 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.
  • Please ensure when submitting your entry online that you complete all of the relevant boxes for each entry and 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. Please also use capital letters where required.      
  • 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 20 second 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.
  • Work which has been shown at Film Festivals can be submitted

 

PLEASE NOTE – ALL ENTRIES WILL BE ADMINISTERED AFTER THE 21st JULY AND WE WILL BE IN TOUCH AFTER THIS DATE TO CONFIRM ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR ENTRY INCLUDING THE FEE. WE WILL NOT LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES BEFORE THIS DATE DUE TO TIME CONTRAINTS.

 

 

 

 

ENTRY FEES

  • There is an entry fee of £75 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.
  • We will confirm your fee has been received after the closing date for entries as part of the administration process
  • Refunds will not be given for entry fees should you wish to withdraw your entry after submission.

 

MIDLANDS SHOW REEL

If you would like us to include your work in the RTS Midlands 2024 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.                                         

 

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 11th August may be disqualified 

ENTRY DEADLINES

  • The closing date for entries is Friday 12th July 2024.  Entries received after this date will not be considered.
  • The online submission system will be open for you to submit entries from Monday 20th November 2023.
  • Please note – we have already extended the deadline by a week and no further extensions will be granted as this can eat into administration and judging time.

 

JUDGING

  • Each category will be judged by a panel of independent Judges.
  • Judging will take place during August and early September 2024.
  • The Judges reserve the right to move submissions to more appropriate categories if necessary.
  • Details of judges will be given in the Awards Ceremony Programme.
  • If you would like details of the judging process please email RTSMidlands@rts.org.uk.

 

NOMINEES AND WINNERS

  • Nominees will be announced during the week of the 23rd September 2024.
  • You will be advised by email if you have been nominated.
  • A full list of nominees will be posted on our website.
  • Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony in November 2024 (date to be advised). Tickets for this event will go on sale when the nominees are announced.

STUDENT AWARDS

  • The invite to enter the Student Awards plus all category and criteria information will be issued by RTS Head Office in Summer 2024.
  • Student Awards will be presented at a separate ceremony.
  • Student Awards are open to anyone over the age of 16 in full-time education.
  • Do not submit entries to the Student Awards via the link above.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

  • For all enquiries relating to the Awards criteria or the judging process please contact Jayne Greene either by phoning 07792 776585 or emailing RTSMidlands@rts.org.uk

 

RTS Midlands Awards Categories 2024

Category Title

Overview

1.Scripted

 

 
  • This category is for scripted 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 or comedy.
  • The judges will be looking for high quality story-telling, originality, creativity and technical expertise throughout the production.

 

 

2.Acting Performance
  • This Award recognises an outstanding acting performance  in a 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 showing the acting performance they are entering.

 

3.Supporting Acting Performance
  • This Award recognises an outstanding supporting acting performance  in a 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 showing the acting performance they are entering.

 

4. Breakthrough Award

(On Screen)

 

 

 

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

  • 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 entered any RTS Awards.

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

 

5. 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
  • Post production

-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.

6. 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.

 

7. 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.
  • The accompanying submission with this category must make it clear exactly what the reporter did, whether it was self-edited, self-shot and how much post production was involved. The judges will take any third party help into consideration. 

 

8. News Programme of the Year

The Award for Best News programme will be awarded based on quality of coverage, presentation and information in the following:

•             Live and Studio news

•             Sporting coverage

•             Real events

This must be one whole programme no longer than 30 minutes.

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

 

9. 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

 

 

10. 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.

 

11. Popular Factual Series

 
  • For programmes which explore us and our world in an entertaining way, engaging the viewer with compelling narratives.
  • Including, but not limited to, lifestyle, fly on the wall, reality television, travel, cookery, hobbies, home and garden, science, natural history and the environment, history and the arts, consumer issues, business
  • A single programme should be submitted in full.  One episode from a series is acceptable and entries from broadcast and digital platforms will be considered. A compilation of edits is not acceptable.

 

  • 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.

 

12. Documentary

 

 
  • This category is to celebrate non-fiction story telling presented with facts to narrate events that actually occurred and can be referenced.
  • Entrants can submit a single feature, single episode or a montage of a series for consideration.
  • Current Affairs content can be included in this category
  • This category will be judged on content, delivery and production and how the work allows others to see the world from a new perspective.
  • 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.

 

13. Writer
  • This award is to recognise the wealth of writing talent in the region.
  • Demonstrating exceptional talent and skill this award is for stand out pieces of work in the world of writing for broadcast.
  • The judges will be looking for quality, originality, style and creativity from this writer.
  • This award is for anyone who received a ‘writer’ 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.

 

14. Short Film

 

 
  • This award is for short film- up to 40 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.

 

15. 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.

16. 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

17.Diversity Champion

  • Open to individuals, teams or organisations who are championing diversity and inclusivity in the Midlands screen sector and whose work is helping to break down barriers.
  • Work should recognise and highlight race, gender, disability, age, LGBGTQ+, religion and socio-economic diversity.

18 .Director
  • Excellence in using television to create an authentic representation of a situation, reality or fiction.
  • Please submit up to 3 5 minute examples of work demonstrating a range of directing styles which evokes strong emotions through the collaboration of all departments.
  • Directors must either be Midlands based or originally from the Midlands.

19. Childrens
  • This category recognises professional excellence in the field of children’s programmes. Series (one episode) and single programmes can be entered for children's drama, factual, comedy and entertainment programmes. Animations are also included in this category
  • All entries must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.

 

To make sure we don't miss any of your brilliant work, we have opened the entry system 5 months early!

All of the category and criteria information can be found below. Please ensure you read all information carefully.