Element

1 Point

3 Points

5 Points

Total

Transitions and Edits

Transitions and edits are confusing; transitions are overused or are not used when needed; transitions and edits detract from the "flow" of the video

Most transitions and edits are smooth but some seem out of place and are distracting; most edits and transitions are appropriate to the subject matter but some are distracting

Transitions and edits are smooth and do not distract from the video; transitions and edits are appropriate to the subject matter and add to the flow of the video

Sound

Sound is uneven and distracting; sound is not coordinated with video; sound or music is gratuitous and does not add to meaning or tone;

Sound is mostly well suited to the meaning and tone of the video but it may be uneven (too loud or too soft) in places

Sound is well coordinated with video; sounds/music add meaning or tone;

Image Quality

Shots are out of focus; video is grainy or unclear

Most shots are in focus and most of the video is clear.

Shots are clear and well-focused; video is clear of unwanted noise or grain

Camera Technique

Panning or zooming is unsteady or at an inappropriate speed; excessive panning or zooming is distracting; shots are unsteady

Pans and zooms are mostly smooth but may be inappropriate or distracting or used too frequently; some shots are unsteady

Zooms and pans are smooth and at the appropriate speed; shots are steady

Composition

No variety in camera angles or placement; subjects are too far away or framed badly;

Some variety in camera angles and placement is evident; subjects are mostly framed correctly;

Camera angles and placement are varied and add interest to the subject matter; subjects are framed appropriately;

Lighting

Scenes are too dark or too light; subject is lit badly; easily solvable lighting problems are ignored

Most scenes are lit properly but some problems that might be solvable have not been addressed; subject is mostly lit correctly

Lighting is clean and clear; subjects are well-lit; evidence that potential lighting problems (if any) have been addressed

Pacing and continuity

Scenes are too long and do not advance the story OR are too short and leave out essential information; pace is inconsistent to the point of being distracting or interfering with meaning; elements are inconsistent from scene to scene

Scenes show some variety in length; pace is somewhat consistent but can be distracting in some instances; elements are mostly consistent from scene to scene

Scenes advance at a comfortable pace for the subject matter; video has a consistent pace; scenes show good variety in length; elements are consistent from scene to scene

Titles and Credits

Titles are unclear and difficult to read; too many words to read; credits scroll too quickly to read

Titles are mostly clear but may be too small to read; credits are readable but may be too fast for comfort

Titles are clear and easy to read; scrolling credits are easy to read

Acting/Dialog

Acting is unrehearsed and awkward; dialog is unclear or difficult to understand

Acting is rehearsed but sounds "read" rather than natural; dialog is mostly understandable but needs some work

Acting is polished and smooth; dialog is clear and easy to understand

Content and theme

Content or message are not relevant to the theme of the category; message is unclear or non-existent

Content has some relevance to the theme of the category; message is present but may be confusing

Content is clearly relevant to the theme of the category; message is clear

Narrative (from Submission Form)

Narrative does not describe relevance of video to category or to curriculum

Narrative does a fair job of describing relevance of video to category or to curriculum

Relevance to theme and curriculum is clearly expressed in narrative