{Teen Videofest - Teens take on Health}

Teen Videofest is a program created by Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) and supported by many community agencies challenging teenagers to speak out—through video—on an aspect of teen health that they feel is important.

The contest portion of the program is open to youth, ages 13-19, who reside in Tarrant County. Participants are provided general health categories from which to draw their topics, are given high-quality VHS tapes and DVDs to use, and must also do most of the production work by themselves—with no direct adult help. They are also provided assistance—if needed—from local video production companies to edit their video.

Once all entries are received, each video is viewed and scored by a panel of selected adult and youth judges, who base their scores on specific criteria. The tally of scores determines the finalists. Participants, their families and friends, as well as representatives from all sponsoring organizations are invited to the Teen Videofest Awards Night, where finalist videos are viewed and prizes are awarded to the winning teen producers.

In the past, finalists have been awarded cash prizes and medals or trophies. Winners and their videos are showcased in other venues following the awards ceremony. Ultimately the videos are used by TCPH, schools, and other organizations for public service announcements, in programs and health classes specifically targeted to teens and in other public health education efforts aimed at youth.

Teen Videofest provides teenagers an exciting, worthwhile program that requires creativity, cooperation and teamwork—and one that makes a lasting impact. The community benefits by having the opportunity to see serious teen health issues, problems and threats through teenage eyes. But most importantly, the Teen Videofest program gives our teenagers a meaningful and valuable way to help other teens improve their health and well being through the positive messages they incorporate in their videos.

Recognition
Contributions & Sponsorship
For Educational Use 
How to get started on Teen Videofest 2006

Recognition

Teen Videofest has received endorsement and support from many of Tarrant County’s elected officials. Since Teen Videofest started, winning teens and their families have been invited to County Commissioner’s Court, where their videos are shown before the gathered public, and the teens receive additional recognition for their efforts. In March 2000, the Texas Public Health Association acknowledged Teen Videofest as an excellent health education program targeting at-risk youth. In October 2000, that year’s winning videos and their producers were featured in the Fort Worth Film Festival. The following year, the Texas Medical Association Foundation chose Teen Videofest as their "2001 Champion of Health," and made $5,000 available to seed similar programs. In 2002, neighboring Denton County and LaCrosse County in distant Wisconsin each launched their own versions of Teen Videofest, based on the successful Tarrant County model. That same year, the Tarrant County Mental Health Association recognized TCPH as an "Outstanding Community Partner", and also recognized two Teen Videofest participants (a winner and a non-winner) for their videos that dealt with teen mental health issues.

Teen Videofest 2002 winning videos, along with their producers, also took part in–and were a featured segment of–the inaugural A Minor Video Festival, launched in June by Weatherford College to showcase the works of video producers age 20 and younger. The 2002 Fort Worth Film Festival also featured sample clips and Teen Videofest 2002 finalist videos. Most recently, Teen Videofest was cited as a "2003 Model Practice" by the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) and a new Teen Videofest-like program was started at the Fort Bend Independent School District in Houston.

In 2004, Fort Worth Community Cable partnered with us to produce a new series called “Teens Take on Health.” This series of five programs focuses on teen health issues using Teen Videofest videos from 2001 – 2006.  For more information about this series, go to Fort Worth Community Cable Channel 31.  

Contributions & Sponsorship

Thanks to the monetary and volunteer support provided from 1999 through 2003 by one of our founding sponsors, the Tarrant County Medical Society Alliance, Teen Videofest has been able to flourish. Many other private and community organizations have also made important contributions along the way, and several video production companies have been involved at various times in providing technical advice and editing support for participants.

The Education Service Center Region 11 became a new partner in 2000, and now makes copies of the winning videos available to 80 independent school districts within their 10-county region in northeast Texas. Also that year, the Ronald McDonald House Charities joined us as our principle sponsor. The Radio and Television Broadcasting Program of the Tarrant County College Northeast Campus came on board then also, as a major contributor, bringing with them technical expertise as well as post-high school educational opportunities for Teen Videofest participants. A new sponsor, in 2003, the Harris Methodist Foundation and in 2004, was Tarrant Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

We are always eager to sign on sponsors and contributors, and to acquire additional venues to showcase the efforts of these youth.

For Educational Use

The primary goal of the annual Teen Videofest program is educating youth and others in the community about teen health issues through positive teen health messages. All videos entered in the contest become the property of Tarrant County Public Health. These videos are available for loan (Dallas/Fort Worth area only) and purchase.

To borrow a video:

• Contact the Health Education Resources Center for assistance
• Videos can be checked out for a period of two (2) weeks
• A total of two (2) videos can be borrowed at one time
• All videos need to be returned to the TCPH (there is a video replacement fee of $50)

To purchase a video:

• Review Video Reference Guide for prices
• Contact the Health Education Resources Center for assistance
• Provide tape number(s) and appropriate mailing information
• Allow two weeks for delivery after receipt of money (cash, money order or company check – no personal checks) 

To check out or purchase a video, or for more information or about the Teen Videofest Library, please call 817-321-5339, or contact us by email: ymjones@tarrantcounty.com.

Since these videos are the sole property of TCPH, duplication of a part or all of any of these videos without expressed permission is prohibited.

While we attempted to include all videos submitted to the contest, some are not listed for technical reasons. This listing will be updated annually to reflect new entries.

Teen Videofest Reference Guide, 3rd Edition

Teen Videofest 2006 T-Shirt Logo Contest:

How to get started on Teen Videofest 2006:

1. Get a registration packet. It has four (4) forms and four (4) handouts which you must review and/or complete (you may download these forms):

• The Contest Rules and Guidelines explains the contest, eligibility requirements and how your video will be judged. Keep a copy for your reference.
• The Consent Form covers your responsibilities as a contestant.
• The Talent Release Form is the official permission slip from others who are not on your team, but play a role (through their image and/or voice) in your video.
• The Registration Form provides us important information about your team, helps us keep in contact with you, and will help us promote your video.
• 2006 Video Topic Ideas Handout provides a list of possible topics to be produced by contestants
• General Video Tips Handout provides a list of technical tips for contestants to consider when producing videos.
• Music Handout provides information on music guidelines and on how to create music.
• Editing Assistance Handout provides a list of organizations that offer free editing assistance to contestants who do not have access to editing equipment.

2. Attend a Teen Videofest Workshop. There are three workshops available.  One is for Adult Sponsors only and the other two (with lunch included) are open to everyone:

• Thursday, January 12, 2006--(Adult Sponsors only)--4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Tarrant County Public Health (1101 South Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76104) John Snow Classroom, Room 1111 
• Saturday, January 21, 2006--11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tarrant County College Northeast Campus (828 Harwood Road, Hurst, TX 76054) Radio and Televison Broadcasting (RTVB) Facilities, Instructional Media Center,    Room 115 
• Saturday, January 28, 2006--11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tarrant County Public Health (1101 South Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76104) John Snow Classroom, Room 1111