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ACT - SO at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Application Deadline: February 26, 2009

Picture of students presenting their work.
Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics
Link to ACT-SO Categories Link to Verification Form Link to the Competition Application
Link to the ACT-SO Team Link to Rules and Regulations
To register please print and complete the application form and return to your school’s liaison prior to the registration deadline posted above.
There will be no on-site registration.

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CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

ARCHITECTURE
The science, art or profession of designing buildings or outdoor spaces.

DRAWING
The art of representing forms and figures on a surface by means of lines.

FILMMAKING/VIDEO
The art and process of making motion pictures.

PAINTING
The art of laying on paints with a brush or a knife.

PHOTOGRAPHY
The process, art and technique of taking images recorded by camera and reproducing them on a photosensitive surface.

SCUPLTURE
The art of making three-dimensional figures or designs.


ARCHITECTURE
The science, art or profession of designing buildings or outdoor spaces.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Only one (1) original project may be submitted. The project must be the creation of the competing contestant, rather than a replication of another architect’s design.

2. Six (6) copies of a typed 8-½ inch by 11-inch double-spaced paper must accompany the project. The content of the paper, which should not exceed five (5) pages, should include overall statement of goals and processes, design objectives, the history of the project and execution of the project. The student’s name, page number and branch must be on the top of each page. The six (6) copies of the paper must be submitted on or before the deadline specified.

3. Blueprints of the project must be 24 x 36 inches in length or width. The contestant must also submit a site plan, floor plan, a minimum of two (2) elevations and a section of the design at appropriate scale.

4. Contestants are required to make an oral presentation, not to exceed five (5) minutes, explaining his/her project. This time limit does not include the time required for the judges to ask questions and the contestant to respond to the judges.

5. Contestants are required to construct a scaled model of his or her project. (Display tables and electricity will be provided by the national office.)

6. Contestants must submit a Verification form from a qualified architect with an earned professional degree or license. This person can also server as a coach, working closely with the student during the course of the project to ensure the accuracy of the student’s research and qualification for entry.

NOTE:The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will b e accepted at the National Competition

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

  • Complexity of Project/Originality (15 pts)

  • Planning and Space Concepts (10 pts)

  • Aesthetics (10 pts)

  • Consistency and Validity of Design Concepts (10 pts)

  • Drawings (15 pts)
    1. Quality of line work.
    2. Organization of drawings

  • Model (10 pts)
    1. Workmanship
    2. Scale

  • Site Analysis/Design (15 pts)

  • Construction Materials/Methods of Construction (5 pts)

  • Written Statement (5 pts)
    1. Explaining Project
    2. Establishing Parameters
    3. Identifying Project Limitations and Design Objectives

  • Verbal Presentation (5 pts)

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DRAWING

Requirements:

1. Only one (1) project can be submitted.

2. The National Office will provide easels

3. The contestant is required to make an oral presentation, which will not exceed three (3) minutes, explaining the methods or techniques used in developing the project. Mounting and Matting is preferred.

4. The submission should be no larger that 36 inches x 48 inches. Framing is optional

5. The oral presentation must not exceed three (3) minutes.

6. There contestant must be available answer questions from the judges.

NOTE:The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will b e accepted at the National Competition

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

  • Composition (20 pts)
  • Line/Form  (20 pts)
  • Presentation  (20 pts)
  • Technique/Craftsmanship  (20 pts) 
  • Theme  (20 pts)

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FILMMAKING/VIDEO

Requirements:

1. Only one (1) film is to be entered

2. The running time of the film must not exceed five (5) minutes.

3. A storyboard or project theme must be associated with the film.
Please Note: Storyboards are NOT stills taken from the film, rather they are original drawings, sketches, etc. completed PRIOR to the execution of the film.

4. Only one (1) video tape is to be entered

5. The running time of the video tape must not exceed five (5) minutes.

6. A playback unit will be provided.

7. Films should be submitted on a single DVD packaged in a standard 5¼x7½ plastic DVD case. DO NOT put labels on the DVD.

8. DVD's must be compatible with standard set-top DVD players

Do not simply burn a QuickTime or AVI file to a disc as data. This may render your film unplayable. Make sure your disc plays in a standard DVD player before you submit your entry.

NOTE:The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will b e accepted at the National Competition

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

  • Creative (25 pts)
  • Storyboard  (10 pts) - how effectively did the competitor execute the ideas presented on the storyboard in their piece?
  • Originality  (15 pts)- Did the competitor try to challenge him/her self to do something different and interesting. Did they have a new and interesting way of retelling an old story/concept? Creativity of approach or concept
  • Production (35 pts)
    • Direction/Structure  (25 pts) – the use of camera, choice of shots to help convey the story, framing, camera movement, clarity of story
    • Use of light (10 pts)  – Are actors and/or environment lit effectively 
  • Sound (15 pts)
    1. Use of audio effects /music  (10 pts)
    2. Audibility (5pts) – Is dialogue audible.
  • Post Production (25 pts)
    1. Editing  (20 pts)– Approach in editing to tell the story more effectively.
    2. Titles (5 pts)

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PAINTING

Requirements:

1. Only one (1) project can be entered.

2. The National Office will provide easels.

3. The contestant is required to make an oral presentation, which will not exceed three (3) minutes, explaining the methods or techniques use in developing the project.

4. The contestant must be available to answer questions from the judges.

5. The submission should be no larger than 36 inches by 48 inches. Framing is optional

NOTE:The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will b e accepted at the National Competition

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

  • Color  (20 pts)

  • Composition  (20 pts)

  • Craft  (20 pts)

  • Line/Form (20 pts)

  • Theme  (20 pts)

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Requirements:

1. No more than six (6) photographs can be submitted or one (1) collage of work.

2. The photographs must be uniformly mounted using white, black or gray boards.

3. The photographs and/or mounting boards must be no larger than 20x16 inches. Only smooth white, black, or gray color boards can be used.

4. The contestant is required to make an oral presentation, which will not exceed three (3) minutes, explaining the methods or techniques used in developing the project.

5. The National Office will provide easels.

NOTE:The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will b e accepted at the National Competition

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

  • Choice of film  (15pts)
  • Black and white, color slide or color negative
  • Cleanness  (15 pts)
  • Composition  (20 pts)
  • Effective use of light  (35 pts)
  • Mounting of photographs  (15 pts)

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SCULPTURE

Requirements:

1. Only one (1) project can be entered.

2. The National Office will provide easels and display table space.

3. Each contestant is required to make an oral presentation explaining the methods or techniques used in developing the project.

4. Oral presentations must not exceed three (3) minutes.

5. Craft projects (i.e. ceramics, macramé, etc.) will not be accepted.

NOTE:The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will b e accepted at the National Competition

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

  • Concept (20 pts)
  • Composition  (20 pts)
  • Craftsmanship  (20 pts)
  • How well the medium was applied  (20 pts)
  • 3-Dimensional Form  (20 pts)

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