After a tumultuous year in the world of entertainment, criticism and celebrity reporting, the Los Angeles Press Club is on the search for the best work of 2009. It is announcing its 3rd Annual National Entertainment Journalism Awards competition. Entries must be received by February 1.
The almost 100-year-old club, situated in the heart of the nation’s entertainment capital, is seeking the finest work in 2009 by U.S.-based entertainment reporters and editors, and theater, film and television critics in all media—print, radio, TV and online. The contest is intended to be wide open – with journalists of every type and from every market vying for the top honors. Entries from international journalists working in another language are eligible.
For the first time, the Club will award a cash prize of $500 for Best in Show, the best entry from all the categories.
The public’s thirst for entertainment news has never been higher. And 2009 has been an amazing year, whether it was coverage of the death of Michael Jackson, the rising importance of 3D in films, or business moves like the proposed sale of NBC to Comcast.
“Journalists have worked hard all year to bring us tough, smart stories that open our eyes to the world of entertainment,” said Club President Chris Woodyard, USA Today. “These awards will recognize their efforts in a year when too few media outlets are noting the outstanding work by their writers, broadcasters, bloggers and critics.”
The awards will be announced at a ceremony at the club’s headquarters in Hollywood on March 11, 2010.
Past winners have included journalists working for Rolling Stone, the Financial Times and Fox4 News in Kansas City. The second annual awards featured the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to Joe Morgenstern, film critic for the Wall Street Journal and KCRW, a public radio station in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Press Club is dedicated to fostering quality journalism. For 51 years, it has presented the Southern California Journalism Awards. Honorees have included Arianna Huffington, Walter Cronkite, Steve Lopez, Judy Woodruff and Tom Brokaw. The Press Club is the only Southern California organization that speaks for all journalists—newspaper, magazine, radio, TV, and online.
Los Angeles Press Club
National Entertainment Journalism Awards
Call for Entries
A national contest aimed at entertainment reporters and editors, film and television critics across the country, including international journalists not working in English
Open to all U.S.-based entertainment journalists for work published or disseminated during 2009. All categories judged and awarded separately. Entries in a foreign language must include a translation.
One cash price of $500 is awarded to Best in Show.
CATEGORIES
A. PRINT—Newspapers or Magazines
A1. News Entertainment News Story, Hard or Breaking News on any issue related to the entertainment industry. One reporter or a team.
A2. Feature / Series – Over 1,000 words Entertainment Feature Story, personality profile, trend, analysis or other non-breaking news. Includes series. One reporter or team.
A3. Feature – Under 1,000 words Entertainment Feature Story, personality profile, trend, analysis or other non-breaking news. Includes series. One reporter or team.
A4. Critic Entertainment Critic of the Year. The critic that embodies the best qualities of depth and overall excellence in entertainment commentary. Based on up to five examples.
A5. Best Entertainment Publication – print, magazine or supplement.
B. TV
B1. News Entertainment News Story, hard or breaking news on any issue related to the entertainment industry. One reporter or a team.
B2. Feature/Series Best Entertainment Feature Story, personality profile, trend, analysis or other non-breaking news. Includes series. One reporter or a team.
B3. Critic Entertainment Critic of the Year. The critic that embodies the best qualities of depth and overall excellence when it comes to entertainment commentary. Based on up to five examples.
C. RADIO
C1. News Entertainment News Story, hard or breaking news on any issue related to the entertainment industry. One reporter or a team.
C2. Feature/Series Best Entertainment Feature Story, personality profile, trend, analysis or other non-breaking news. Includes series. One reporter or team.
C3. Critic Entertainment Critic of the Year. The critic that embodies the best qualities of depth and overall excellence in entertainment commentary. Based on up to five examples.
D. ONLINE
D1. News Entertainment News Story, hard or breaking news on any issue related to the entertainment industry. One reporter or a team.
D2. Feature/Series Best Entertainment Feature Story, personality profile, trend, analysis or other non-breaking news. Includes series. One reporter or team.
D3. Critic Entertainment Critic of the Year. The critic that embodies the best qualities of depth and overall excellence when it comes to entertainment commentary. Based on up to five examples.
D4. Best Entertainment Website
E2. Best Entertainment Blog by an individual
$40 per submission, per category; checks and entries by mail or online at www.lapressclub.org.
The Rules
1. All entries become property of Los Angeles Press Club. They will not be returned.
2. Each entry must be accompanied by two (2) completed copies of the entry form and two (2) copies of
the work. Attach the entry forms to the front of your entry. Improperly prepared or incomplete entry
forms may result in disqualification.
3. The same story or series may be submitted in more than one category, but each such submission is a
separate entry and requires a separate fee. Each entry requires a separate copy, separate entry forms and
appropriate fees (see #4).
4. There is no limit to the number of entries any individual or organization may submit, but again, each
entry requires a separate form and fee.
5. If there are fewer than three entries in a category, the judges will decide whether an award is merited.
6. Bylines and other identifiers need not be concealed. The decisions of the judges are final.
7. The judges may shift the category if it was entered incorrectly, and may reject the entry entirely.
8. The entrants may promote, publicize, and advertise LAPC NEJ awards. The LAPC reserves the right to
Use entries, in whole or in part, to promote the Awards and promote the LAPC.
9. Judges and the LAPC are not responsible for the loss or damage to entries. Entries must be presented as
described in “PREPARATION OF ENTRIES,” BELOW.
10. The deadline for submitting entries online is Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Mailed entries must be
postmarked by that date, and must include completed forms and proper fee. The LAPC has the right to
reject any entries which it deems unsuitable.
11. Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Press Club’s headquarters on Thursday March 11,
2010. Certificates will be provided for Second Place and Honorable Mention. Winners will not be
announced until the evening of the gala.
Preparation of Entries
PRINT: Each print entry should be neatly contained inside a letter or legal size file folder, with the entire contents of the entry (copy included) attached inside, and two copies of the completed entry form stapled or securely attached to the front. (No paper clips). Entries, including the second copy, may be photocopies or electronic archive copies. Publication date must be shown on the copy. At the top of each paper or card, type or print the name of the entrant, outlet and entry category. If there are multiple pages as part of a single entry, note at the top a page number and total (i.e. Page 1 of 3).
TELEVISION: TV entries must be in DVD format, playable on a standard commercial DVD-player. One entry only per DVD. The DVD must have the entrant’s name, length of the entry, and the entry category written or printed directly on the DVD. Tightly wrap each case with the two completed forms (and translation if applicable) and bind with a rubber band. Multiple reports submitted for a single entry must be combined on one DVD. All TV entries must have commercials deleted and replaced by 2-3 second leader. In all other respects the entry must be as aired. Two copies with each entry.
RADIO: Radio entries must be in CD format, playable on standard commercial CD-players.
ONLINE: Entries should be printed out on letter or legal-sized paper. Include a printout of the web site’s first or index page. The URL and name of the web site manager must be shown on both copies of the completed entry form.
PHOTOS: One printout and one digital picture (jpeg burned on a CD)
2010 Entry Form PDF | 2010 Entry Form Word Document | Pay Entry Fee Here
Mail entries to:
L.A. Press Club
NEJ Awards
4773 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027
