ABOUT THE CONTEST
Act-Out for Health is for middle and high school students. Contestants write, direct and produce 30-second TV advertisements about Florida KidCare: why it’s important, how much it costs and what it means for families. This year, graphic design and technology students can also choose to participate in our billboard design competition.
To participate in our online billboard design contest, click here.
2009 CONTEST MESSAGES
Choose one of the following three messages as the theme for your commercial.
Things you can get for $20, and one of them is health insurance. This theme focuses on the affordability of Florida KidCare. Most families enrolled in Florida KidCare pay $15 or $20 a month; others pay nothing at all. What are other things that families spend $20 on? For example, for the price of a large pizza, you can get health insurance for your children.
Things that are available to any teen, and one of them is health insurance. This theme focuses on accessibility. Having health insurance means teens have access to regular check-ups, physicals, eye exams, and dental care. What are some other things that are available to any teen?
Things you can do online, and one of them is health insurance. This theme focuses on the application process. The Florida KidCare application takes under 20 minutes to complete online at www.floridakidcare.org. What are some other things that families and teens do in twenty minutes? For example, in the time it takes to purchase new music from iTunes, your mom or dad could apply for health insurance.
Once you’ve picked a contest message, take your commercial whichever direction you see fit. We’re looking for your creativity. Just be sure to follow the contest rules and guidelines so your entry won’t get disqualified.
RULES AND GUIDELINES
We have some new rules. Please read through this section to make sure your entry will qualify.
Time. Your commercial must be exactly 30 seconds and must have an additional five-second lead-in. This means your commercial must be introduced by a five-second blank screen or countdown, followed by 30 seconds of your ad content. Even commercials just one or two seconds over or under the time frame will be disqualified, so get a watch and keep track.
Age limit. We’re looking for a commercial made for students, by students. Only 12- through 18-year-olds may enter the contest. You can get help from a teacher or mentor, but remember: the writing, filming and production of this video must be completed by middle or high school students.
Group size. No more than three team members are allowed per commercial. If you’ve got six friends interested in helping, divide into two groups. There is no limit on the number of entries each team can submit.
No stunts allowed. Period. Entries with crazy and daredevil stunts will go straight into the trash.
Digital only. Only digital videos submitted in DVD format will be accepted.
No favorites. The children of Florida Healthy Kids Corporation employees and Florida KidCare vendors are excluded.
Be complete. Carefully read the directions and make sure you’ve completed the entry forms before mailing them in. Your team could be disqualified if we don’t receive the proper information.
PRIZES
There will be one Judges’ Choice and one Kids’ Choice winner in each of six regions across Florida. A Grand Prize will be awarded to one of the winning regional teams.
Judges’ Choice: Each winning team member will receive a $500 gift card. Each winning team’s school will receive $1,000 to use as it sees fit. The Judges’ choice winners will be selected by a panel of Florida KidCare judges.
Kids’ Choice: Each winning team member will receive a $250 gift card, and each winning team’s school will receive $750 to use as it sees fit.
Kids’ Choice winners will be chosen through an online vote. Videos will be posted on this website and votes will be taken Dec. 2-16. You can also post your video on your blog or Facebook page to increase your team’s chances.
Grand Prize: Winning team members will share a $5,000 scholarship from Florida KidCare. The winning team’s school will receive $2,500 to use as it sees fit.
All winners will be announced at a press event to be held January 29, 2010, in Orlando. Winners unable to attend this event will be mailed their prizes.
HOW TO ENTER
1. Fill out a waiver and entry form for each team member. Every student involved in the production of the video must submit a completed entry form and signed parent waiver.
Your team will be disqualified if we don’t have written permission from your parent or guardian allowing you to participate in the project and Florida KidCare to show your faces on television.
2. Make two copies of your script.
3. Make two DVDs of your video. You must submit two DVDs of your commercial. Only digital videos will be accepted.
4. Mail your contest packet by Dec. 2.
Send in your team’s entry forms, waivers, two copies of your script and two DVDs to:
Florida KidCare Commercial Contest
c/o Annie Jones
661 E. Jefferson Street, 2nd Floor
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Entries must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 2, 2009.
