Are you ready to tell the world your story?
My News in 65 is your chance to share your story and for you to think about what it means to be a journalist. News should reflect everyone’s lives, and that’s why we want to hear you report on the events and topics that are important to you.
This is a great opportunity to have a go at a really exciting job and for some of the best journalists in the industry to see your ideas. All you need to do is to make a clip of up to 65 seconds about something you care about! So get your hands on a phone and start filming and having fun. We can’t wait to start seeing your videos!
How to enter My News in 65:
Choose one of the themes below and make a film about a story that is important to you. It can be up to 65 seconds long.
Themes:
- Happiness
What makes you happy at the moment and why? (It could be family, friends, pets, neighbours, classmates – anything!) - Change
How is the world changing and why is it important to talk about? (You could talk about the environment or coronavirus, changes at school or at home.) - Inspiration
Who in the world inspires you? (Is there someone who makes you want to get up and do things you dream of? How do they inspire you and how do you use that inspiration in your life?)
Ideas for your piece:
- Interview someone – maybe a prop will help you to talk about the subject
- Present your piece with the action taking place behind you
- Read some headlines from a news studio you’ve created at home
- Feel free to edit some of your material together but avoid using any music from commercial artists
Scroll to the bottom of this page for some tips from some of our experts!
Criteria for judging:
- Originality – the judges will be looking for imaginative and powerful story ideas
- Creativity - they will also be looking for new ways to tell the story for example using the camera in an interesting way or using different guests/props/backgrounds
- Connection - Judges will consider how you have presented yourself and how well you connect with your audience. Can you inform, entertain, inspire or move your viewers?
Deadline:
The competition opens on 3rd November and closes on 31st December.
What you will win:
Winners will be chosen in two age groups: 7-10 and 11-14. Each winner will win an iPad, a virtual mentoring session with one of our judges, and a chance to visit our London-based newsrooms and watch one of our programmes being broadcast live.
And Finally…
Don’t forget to ask your parents/carers permission to enter the competition and if you've got any questions drop us an email at mynewscomp@itn.co.uk.
Meet the Judges
We’ve got some of the most experienced and talented broadcast journalists in the business to judge your entries, so let’s meet them.
Jon Snow
Presenter of Channel 4 News
“I hope this competition gives you the belief that you can go out and tell stories now and in the future. I’ve done it for 44 years and it is a fantastic job.”
Mary Nightingale
Presenter of ITV News
“For children, the coronavirus period may have led to school closures but whilst at home we also saw time and time again the amazing creativity and ingenuity that they possess. Whether that be through raising money, looking after family and friends or just finding a way to have fun in lockdown, we saw how much kids could achieve and the passion they had. So now it’s their turn to tell us your stories. I can’t wait to see what emerges when the lens is turned.”
Charlene White
Presenter of ITV News London and IRL with Team Charlene, a magazine show for children on ITV.
“I was inspired from an early age by Sir Trevor McDonald and having worked recently with young people making IRL with Team Charlene, I know the breadth of creativity our next generation of journalists possess – and their thirst for truth and passion for questioning. I can’t wait to see the entries and I know we’ll be spoilt for choice.”
Sian Williams
Presenter of 5 News
“I’m so proud to be a judge in this initiative. Journalism has been my life for 35 years and perhaps it’s never been more important to tell a story well, which connects and has real meaning to your audience. If YOU have a story that needs telling – tell it to us! And have a go at engaging in one of the most exciting, challenging, creative careers out there.”
Ayshah Tull
Channel 4 News reporter and former BBC Newsround presenter
“I realised I wanted to be a journalist at 15 (I know, super old!) but as soon as I went on a field trip to a newsroom, I knew that’s what I had to be. It’s such a rewarding and fun profession. You get to be creative, write, talk to loads of different people. I hope this competition gives kids the belief early on that they can do this, and I can’t wait to see what they all come up with.”
Tips from the experts
Rubina Pabani
ITN head of shortform
Tips on how to shoot on your phone:
- Film your clip in a landscape position rather than portrait, so it looks like a telly.
- Clean your lens so it’s clear.
- Do a test shoot so you know your camera and microphone are working!
- Think about using a phone tripod or leaning it against something stable.Think about what is the most important thing you want to film and make it centre of your framing.
- Make sure the place where you’re filming is well-lit, daylight on the person's face is nice - but not too bright. Play around with desk lamps and lights.
- Think about sound. Try to get the microphone as close to the person who is speaking as possible and use headphone to make sure it sounds good.
- Make sure the person you're interviewing is comfortable and looks at the camera when they speak.
- Have fun!
Terms and Conditions
Only one competition entry per person; The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into; The winner’s name and entry may be made public by ITN for promotional purposes and the winner may be required to take part in media activity relating to the competition; No responsibility can be taken for entries lost or damaged and will not be returned; If any winner does not respond within two weeks of being notified by ITN , an alternative winner may be chosen; The competition is open to all residents of the United Kingdom; Maximum age for entrants is 14 on 31 December 2020; Entrants must insert contact details of a parent or guardian and have sought permission from their parents/guardian before entering the competition; Employees and members of their immediate families of ITN or its affiliates may not enter; The closing date for entries is 31st December 2020; The entrant warrants they have created the film/ work themselves and have permission to use any works in it such as video, photographs, drawings; ITN may in its sole discretion refuse to provide a prize and reserves the right to modify, cancel, terminate or suspend the competition in its sole discretion; The entrant agrees ITN can process their personal data submitted for the purposes set out in the competition. ITN will comply with the Data Protection Act 2018, in accordance with our privacy policy .The promoter of the competition is Independent Television News Limited, 200 Gray’s Inn Road , London WC1X 8XZ