Submissions are Now Open!

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SCRIPTED VISUAL PROJECT

This category accepts entries from any RTA individual or group performance in a scripted visual project (drama, comedy, horror, satire, etc) and NEW MEDIA performance art, that was created in any RTA multi-camera or single camera production for a class assignment, or NEW MEDIA project. PERFORMER(S) will be judged and must be an RTA student(s).

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: RTA 213, 234, 313, 314, 330, 983, 701 plus any New Media course

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SCRIPTED AUDIO PROJECT

This category accepts entries from any RTA individual performance in a scripted audio project (drama, comedy, horror, satire, etc) that was created in any RTA audio production for a class assignment. Nominees will be judged on their performance.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: RTA 104, 311, 854, 864,974

BEST ON AIR HOST (SPORTS)

This category accepts entries from any individual in the role of HOST for a sports program or show. These could include sports magazine shows, game shows, game coverage including ESports and documentaries. Nominations may come from audio or video productions. Nominees will be judged on their performance and knowledge of the shows’ content and their ability to engage with an audience.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible course codes: RTA 104, 106, 234, 330, 431, 947, 951

BEST ON AIR HOST (FACTUAL, ENTERTAINMENT, LIFESTYLE)

This category accepts entries from any individual in the role of host for a factual, entertainment or lifestyle program or show. These could include magazine shows, game shows, and documentaries. Nominations may come from audio or video productions. Nominees will be judged on their performance and knowledge of the shows content and their ability to engage with an audience.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible course codes: RTA 104, 313, 314, 983, 947, 701

BEST LIVE SPORTS SHOW

This category accepts entries from any group that produced a LIVE SPORTS program or show. These could include magazine shows, game shows, game coverage including esports and documentaries. The show can be in the studio or in the field of play. Nominees will be judged on the pacing, story-telling and overall production value.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible course codes: 234, 330, 947, 854, 431 (Practicums)

BEST LIVE FACTUAL, ENTERTAINMENT, or LIFESTYLE SHOW

This category accepts entries from any group that produced a LIVE factual, entertainment or lifestyle program or show. These could include magazine shows, game shows, and documentaries. The show can be in the studio or on remote. Nominees will be judged on the packing, story-telling and overall production value.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible course codes: RTA 313, 816, 947, 988, 701 (Practicums)

BEST MET-TV SHOW (NEW 2024)

This category accepts entries from any group or individual who created a show on any subject matter for MetTV. The content can be executed LIVE or post-produced and focus on any topic. Nominees will be judged on the show’s pacing, story-telling and overall production value. The PRODUCER MUST BE Registered in Media Production, Sport Media or New Media Programs.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

BEST PODCAST or RADIO SHOW

This category also accepts entries from any group program or show. These could include magazine shows, game shows, and documentaries, or scripted dramas. Nominees will be judged on pacing, story-telling and overall production value.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible course codes: RTA 311, 854, 858 864, 907, 971, 972, 974, 701 (Practicums)

BEST MUSIC COMPOSITION in a PROJECT (NEW 2024)

This category accepts a piece of ORIGINAL music that was composed and scored for any project in the Programs curriculum or for MET-TV or SPIRITLIVE programming. Nominees may be group or individual and will be judged on the quality of their music and overall production value.

Eligible submissions must have been created between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

BEST SPIRIT LIVE SHOW

This category accepts a radio show or podcast that was created as part of the SPIRIT LIVE programming. Nominees may be group or individual and will be judged on the quality of their programming and overall production value.

Eligible submissions must have been created for SPIRITLIVE between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

BEST DOCUMENTARY

This category accepts fact-based documentaries ranging from 15:00 min to 60 mins. Nominees will be judged on story research, quality of interviews, flow of content and overall production value.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: RTA 994, RTA 957, 431+ 701 (Practicums)

BEST VISUAL FEATURE

This category accepts fact-based features ranging from 2:00 to 5:00 mins. Nominees will be judged on story research, quality of interviews, flow of content and overall production value.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024. Eligible courses: Any course where creating a feature was part of the evaluation process.

BEST SHORT FILM (INTERMEDIATE)

This category accepts short films (under 10 mins) that are scripted or animated. Nominees will be judged on character development, overall story concept and arch, and production quality as to lighting, sound and visuals.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: RTA 243, 314, 983

BEST FILM (SENIOR)

This category accepts completed films of any length that are scripted or animated. Nominees will be judged on character development, overall story concept and arch, and production quality as to lighting, sound and visuals.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: Practicums only

BEST DRAMATIC WRITING (Produced)

This category accepts completed films, stories, screenplays, plays, television pilots, radio dramas, etc at any length. The material must be FICTION and be recognizable as a drama. The material MUST HAVE BEEN PRODUCED. Nominees must submit a written script in addition to the produced project. Nominees will be judged on story concept and arch, character development and overall presentation of the work.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: Any RTA course where an assignment meets the criteria.

BEST DRAMATIC WRITING (Unproduced)

This category accepts completed films, stories, screenplays, plays, television pilots, radio dramas, etc at any length. The material must be FICTION and be recognizable as a drama. Nominees must submit a written script. This work DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PRODUCED. Nominees will be judged on story concept and arch, character development and overall presentation of the work.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: Any RTA course where an assignment meets the criteria. NOTE: The winner of this award will be notified PRIOR to the Tara Awards date and server as a Presenter for the Best Dramatic Writing Award (Produced).

BEST COMEDY WRITING

This category accepts completed scripts for COMEDY. The material may be FICTION or NON-FICTION and be recognizable as comedy. The work should be submitted as a WRITTEN document/screenplay, script. The material may be produced. Submissions may be made as an individual or group. Nominees will be judged on story concept and arch, character development, research if applicable and overall presentation of the work.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: Any RTA course where an assignment meets the criteria. NOTE: The winner of this award will be notified PRIOR to the Tara Awards date and serve as a Presenter for the Best Speciality Writing Award.

BEST SPECIALITY WRITING

This category accepts completed films, stories, screenplays, plays, television pilots, radio dramas in any length. The material may be FICTION or NON-FICTION and be recognizable as comedy, entertainment, childrens, video game storylines, immersive experiences, historical or documentary. Nominees must submit a written script. Submissions may be made as an individual or group. Nominees will be judged on story concept and arch, character development, research if applicable and overall presentation of the work.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: Any RTA course where an assignment meets the criteria.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (Senior)

This category accepts any visual work fiction or non-fiction that uses real or staged scenes in the production. Nominees will be judged on lighting, framing, depth of field and other aesthetics of the work.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: Practicums only - 4th year

BEST AUDIO POST PRODUCTION

This category accepts audio submissions as groups or individuals that demonstrate post production skills including: mixing, sound effects, editing and overall production value on a project. Nominees can submit visual and audio projects for Consideration.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: 3rd and 4th year courses including Practicums

BEST GRAPHICS, VISUAL EFFECTS IN A PRODUCTION

This category accepts visual submissions demonstrating the use of graphics or visual effects to enhance a production. Nominees will be judged on colour, style, use and overall impact of the elements to the project.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024. Eligible courses: Any project from any year in RTA

BEST ANIMATION

This category accepts visual animation used in a production including: Openings, Bumpers/Stings, Title Graphics, Video Game productions. Nominees will be judged on colour, style, use and overall impact of the animation.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: Any project from any year in RTA

BEST VIDEO GAME PROJECT

This category accepts video game designs and projects created by students in RTA. Nominees will be judged on the concept of their video game design, the gameplay and the narrative. Projects that can be submitted include game design paperwork packages, game development scripts, video playback versions of video game projects (Mp4 or MOV files only), or links to video game demos.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: RTA 82A/B, RTA 501, RTA 701, RTA 828 RTA 830, RTA 923, RTA 928, RTA 222

BEST UX/UI DESIGN (APPS/WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA PROJECT)

This category accepts group or individual projects that demonstrate the use of user experience design and user interaction design concepts. Projects that can be submitted are websites, website design layouts, social media campaigns, and social media graphics, app design, etc. Nominees will be judged on visual design, clarity of information, design originality and overall quality of the content.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: RTA 902, RTA 930, RTA992, RTA 993 and New Media courses

BEST INTERACTIVE or IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

This category accepts any project that demonstrates an immersive or interactive experience. Projects that can be submitted must be visual and include OpenCV/Kinect, Escape Rooms, VR experiences using UnReal, or any other physical or digital media.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible courses: RTA 82A/B, RTA 501, RTA 701, RTA 864, RTA 928, RTA 948

BEST PROJECT PITCH

This category accepts project pitches from a group or individual in the format of SLIDE DECK. Google Slides (10 - 15 slide Deck) should be built from pitch packages, and project bibles. It MAY include a pitch video as an Mp4. or Mov. file Nominees will be judged on originality of concept, quality of research, budget and planning documentation and feasibility.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2022 - March 27, 2023.

Eligible course codes: RTA 431, RTA 503, RTA 701, RTA 703, RTA 705, RTA 908, RTA 909, RTA 922, RTA 927, RTA 937, RTA 956, RTA 957. (3rd and 4th year only) NOTE: The winner of this award will be notified PRIOR to the Tara Awards date and will be the presenter for BEST SENIOR FILM.

BEST FABRICATION PROJECT

This category accepts any project that utilizes fabrication practices. This includes using tools such as the 3-D printers, laser cutters, shop tool, or equipment such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi or any other new media specific equipment. Nominees for this category will be judged on the quality and originality of the project.

Eligible submissions must have been created in the NEW MEDIA program of RTA and created between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

BEST ELECTRONICS PROJECT

This category accepts any electronics project created in RTA’s NEW MEDIA program. Possible projects include (but are not limited to) Robotics, Interactivity, and Mechanisms

Eligible submissions must have been created between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible course codes: RTA 320, RTA 321, RTA 501, RTA 929, RTA 948, RTA 954, RTA 968 (or any New Media Course)

BEST NEW MEDIA VIDEO OR PERFORMANCE ART

This category accepts any New Media artwork in video format, or performance art project created under RTA curriculum. This includes but is not limited to video art, animation, documentary, recorded performance. Nominees will be judged on effectiveness of technique and communication of meaning.

Eligible courses: All New Media Courses NOTE: The winner of this award will be notified PRIOR to the Tara Awards date and will be the PRESENTER of the BEST INSTALLATION ART, SCULPTURE or CONCEPT Award.

BEST INSTALLATION ART, SCULPTURE or CONCEPT

This category accepts any physical installation or sculptural work created under RTA curriculum. This includes but is not limited to miniature or large structures, textile work, site-specific work, sculpture, or photo or video installation. Nominees will be judged on creativity, technical skill/use of material, and overall impact of the work.

Eligible courses: All New Media Courses Submissions can be photos or videos.

BEST FIRST YEAR AUDIO PROJECT (3)

This category accepts audio submissions produced in First Year. Podcasts, Radio shows, Sound Experiences, and Sound Design. Nominees for this category will be judged on the quality of their content and overall production value.
One award per New Media, Sport Media and Media Production

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024. Eligible course codes: RTA 104

BEST FIRST YEAR VIDEO PROJECT (3)

This category accepts video submissions produced in First Year in either single-camera or multi-camera format. Projects can be features, sports casts, game shows, scripted scenes, etc. Nominees for this category will be judged on the quality of their narrative and overall production value.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Eligible course codes: RTA 106, RTA 201, RTA 213, RTA 243

BEST DIGITAL MEDIA PROJECT (3)

This category accepts graphics, posters, album covers, or motion graphics. Eligible submissions must have been created within the curriculum for RTA 103. Nominees for this category will be judged on their visual cohesion and overall design.
One award per New Media, Sport Media and Media Production.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between Sept 1st, 2023 to Dec 30th, 2023 Eligible course code: RTA 103

BEST EDI (EQUITY, DIVERSITY, and INCLUSION) PROJECT

This category accepts submissions of ANY project from RTA curriculum or extracurricular avenues that demonstrates the goal of equity, diversity and inclusion in the RTA community. Projects should illustrate avenues for storytelling from marginalized communities, representation of an underserved area, educate and bring awareness to an issue or any other event or public work, using a visual or audio platform, social media or digital platform or content.Nominees for this category will be judged on the quality of their narrative and overall production value.

Eligible submissions must have been created within the RTA curriculum between March 29, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

Have a question?

Email us at taraawards@torontomu.ca.