General Rules

1. Entrants must not have photographed any material on submitted pieces.
2. Only one entry in each category will be accepted for judging. However, at the entrant's discretion, an additional entry may be submitted under "Critique Only" status (please limit to one entry per quarter).
3. To be eligible, an entry should be disseminated during the entrant's active membership in either the National Press Photographers Association or the White House News Photographers Association, and during the time period appropriate for each quarter. For entrants who are not members of these organizations (or whose membership had lapsed), a $10.00 fee will apply to each entry submitted.
4. Entries may not be re-edited. However, editors may fade up from black at the beginning of the entry and fade to black at the end. Entrants may also remove standard out-cues, graphic opens, or pre-recorded stand-up introductions or tags if they choose.
5. If there are fewer than four entries submitted in any category, all entries for that category will be placed in the next appropriate category without penalty to the entrant(s).
6. Judges shall have the power to award entries as they see fit. Their decisions are final, and can only be altered in the event of the disqualification of a winning entry, at the discretion of the Contest Chairperson and the judges.
7. No group shall judge any category in which an entry from that group has been submitted.
8. All time restraints listed for each category are consecutive.
9. Any entry known by the Competition Chairperson (or by the judges) to be in violation of any of these General Rules, or the rules for the category in which that entry is submitted, is subject to immediate disqualification.

Categories

Photoessay:

A natural sound piece, photo essay, year ender, show open or close, without narration, in which the editor had considerable input into the production of the piece. These pieces demonstrate exceptional use of natural sound, sound bites, sound effects, and/or music. Effects are allowed but not necessary. Maximum running time allowed is 5 minutes.

Under Deadline:

This category is designed for Spot News and General News entries of a serious nature. If the entry isn't Spot News or General News in nature it may be subject to being DQ. Entries will have been edited in the duration of one hour or less, and aired within 12 hours or next possible show from the last performed edit. For non-linear systems, the clock will begin at the first keystroke after media ingestion. Visual and audible effects are allowed, but not necessary. Entries must include reporter track. File tape may be included, but may take up no more than 15% of the total length of the entry. Maximum running time allowed is 3 minutes.

In Depth:

This category is designed for In-Depth, Franchise, Sweeps and Investigative entries of a serious nature. Entries will be judged on the ability to effectively tell a powerful story without limits on editing time or effects. Visual and audible effects are allowed, but not necessary. Entries must include reporter track. Maximum running time allowed is 10 minutes.

Feature – 24 Hours:

This category is designed for soft news, sports or feature entries. Entries in this category will have aired within 24 hours of the first edit, and will be judged on storytelling ability demonstrated in the piece. For non-linear systems, the clock will begin at the first keystroke after media ingestion. Visual and audible effects are allowed, but not necessary. Entries must include reporter track. Maximum running time allowed is five minutes.

Feature – No Limit:

This category is designed for soft news, sports or feature entries. Entries will be judged on the ability to effectively tell a powerful story without limits on editing time or effects. Visual and audible effects are allowed, but not necessary. Entries must include reporter track. Maximum running time allowed is 10 minutes.

The Contest Year:

• First Quarter (January 1 – March 31, entries must be postmarked by April 7)
• Second Quarter (April 1 – June 30, entries must be postmarked by July 7)
• Third Quarter (July 1 – September 30, entries must be postmarked by October 7)
• Fourth Quarter (October 1 – Dec. 31, entries must be postmarked by January 7)

Point Accumulation:

Beginning with the 2005-06 contest year, points will no longer be awarded for each quarter an eligible entry is submitted.

Tiebreakers:

1. The editor (of the two or more who have accumulated the most points) who has acquired the most First Place awards in the contest year shall be named NPPA Cutting Edge Editor of the Year.
2. If two or more editors have tied for First Place by the accumulation of points and first place awards, they shall participate in an "edit-off" competition to decide the winner. This will occur at the NPPA Cutting Edge Seminar following the completion of the contest year. Should one or more editors invited to compete in the "edit-off" be unwilling or unable to participate, they shall forfeit the contest to the other participant(s).