This rubric has been fleshed out with more detail to help you with instructing and guiding the students. We chose to keep the student rubric and official rubric in a more simplified language, but the judges will all have a copy of this rubric to differentiate the evaluative scoring.

ACTIVITY

Exemplary

Proficient

Partially Proficient

Incomplete

POINTS

Story

Story progresses smoothly in a logical sequence. Could include foreshadowing, uses a variety of multimedia options to move the story along.

Story progresses smoothly in a logical sequence.

The story is not in a logical sequence.

There is no evidence of a story.

Organization

The story is creative, compelling and clearly developed. A rich variety of supporting information in the video contributes to understanding of the project's main idea. Events and messages are presented in a logical order. Includes properly cited sources.

The story  is presented as a connected theme with accurate, current supporting information that contributes to understanding of the project's main idea. Details are logical and persuasive information is effectively used. The content includes a clear point of view with a progression of ideas and supporting information. Includes properly cited sources.

The story is not clearly presented, is vague, and some of the supporting information does not seem to fit the main idea or appears as a disconnected series of scenes with no unifying main idea. Includes few citations and few facts.

The story lacks a central theme, clear point of view and logical sequence of information. Much of the supporting information in the video is irrelevant to the overall message. The viewer is unsure what the story is because there is no continuity. Information is incomplete, or incorrect and no citations are included.

Introduction

The introduction is compelling and provides motivating content that hooks the viewer from the beginning of the video and keeps the audience's attention.

The introduction is clear and coherent and evokes interest in the topic and response from listeners.

The introduction shows some structure but does not create a strong sense of what is to follow. May be overly detailed or incomplete and is somewhat appealing to the audience.

The introduction does not orient the audience to what will follow. The sequencing is unclear and does not appear interesting or relevant to the audience.

Video Continuity/Editing

The movie  is edited with only high quality shots remaining. Video moves smoothly from shot to shot. A variety of transitions are used to assist in communicating the main idea and smooth the flow from one scene to the next. Shots and scenes flow seamlessly. Digital effects are used appropriately for emphasis. All video clips fit the storyline. Clips are just long enough to make each point clear. The pace captures audience attention. Video clips show no slack time. "Three beat" timing (three actions per clip or three clips per event) is evident.

Movie is edited throughout with only quality shots remaining. A variety of transitions are used. Good pacing and timing. Most video clips move at a steady pace, fast enough to keep the audience interested and slow enough to tell a complete story. Most video clips are edited to remove slack time and to emphasize action.

Movie is edited in few spots. Several poor shots remain. Transitions from shot to shot are choppy, and the types of wipes and fades selected are not always appropriate for the scene. Transitions do not assist in communicating the main idea. There are many unnatural breaks and/or early cuts. Digital effects are overdone and distract from the content. Video clips are used but need to be edited in length or move too quickly to assist in telling the story. Some video clips are edited to remove slack time and increase action.

Movie is unedited and many poor shots remain. No transitions between clips are used. Raw clips run back to back in the final video. Video clips begin and end with slack time or no action.

Media, Audio and Voice Editing

The audio is clear and effectively assists in communicating the main idea. Students communicate ideas with enthusiasm, proper voice projection, appropriate language, and clear delivery.

Background audio is kept in balance and does not overpower the primary audio. The graphics, sound and/or animation assist in presenting an overall theme that appeals to the audience and enhances concepts with a high impact message. All multimedia elements work well together and demonstrate excellent synthesis. Graphics explain and reinforce key points during the presentation.

The audio is clear, but only partially assists in communicating the main idea. Students communicate ideas with proper voice projection, adequate preparation and delivery. The students use proper size and resolution to create images. The graphics, sound/and or animation visually depict material and assist the audience in understanding the flow of information or content. Images are student produced. Images are proper size and resolution. Multimedia elements are appropriate and enhance the presentation.

The audio is inconsistent in clarity (too loud/too soft/garbled) at times and insufficiently communicates the main idea. Students have difficulty communicating ideas due to weak voice projection and/or lack of preparation.

The background audio overpowers the primary audio.

Some of the graphics, sounds, and/or animations seem unrelated to the topic/theme and do not enhance concepts. Most images are clipart. Images are too large/small in size. Images are poorly cropped or the color/resolution is fuzzy. Multimedia elements support the presentation occasionally.

Audio is cut-off and inconsistent. Students have great difficulty communicating ideas with poor voice projection. The graphics, sounds, and/or animations are unrelated to the content. Graphics do not enhance understanding the content, or are distracting decorations that create a busy feeling and detract from the content. Video clips are too long and do not advance the storyline or to short and leave out essential action or dialogue.

Camera Techniques (Exposure/Focus)

All shots are clearly focused and well framed. The video is steady with few pans and zooms. Close-ups are used to focus attention. Video shows evidence of good composition (ratio of image to frame, line of gaze, pan/tilts, movement, and perspective.) Additional lighting is used to eliminate shadows and glares. All scenes have sufficient lighting for viewer to easily see action. Motion scenes are planned and purposeful, adding impact to the story line. "Talking heads" scenes are used when crucial to telling the story.

The camera is held steady. Pans and zooms are limited.  Most shots are clearly focused and well framed. Additional lighting is used. Few shadows or glares are apparent. Most scenes have sufficient lighting to tell what is happening. The video includes some "talking heads," and backgrounds and video effects add interest. Most motion scenes make the story clearer or give it more impact.

The motion shots are fairly steady. Some shots are unfocused or poorly framed. Few close-ups are used. Some scenes are too dark or too light to determine what is happening. The video includes "talking heads" and a few motion scenes are added but do not improve understanding of the story line.

Many shots are unfocused and poorly framed. The camera is not held steady and excessive panning and zooming distracts the viewer. No close-ups are used. Only ambient (available) light is used. Most scenes are too dark or too light to determine what is happening. The video features "talking heads" with little or no action to add interest or the video uses action excessively.

TOTAL POINTS

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