Our Centers for Ethics:

Get heard. Get noticed. Get $500.

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Your challenge

Make a video (30 seconds to 2 minutes long) promoting the importance of one or more of the Six Pillars of Character — trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, or citizenship. Think fun! Think world-changing!

The goods

• 1st place:        $500
• 2nd place:       $300
• 3rd place:        $200

Plus, winning commercials will be highlighted on the CHARACTER COUNTS! website, our YouTube page, and in our newsletters, which go out to more than 150,000 subscribers!

Who's in

You (or your team) must be 18 and under. We want to hear what you have to say so adults can help with technical stuff, but you’re directing the show.

What's out

We promise to give all entries a fair shot, so be creative! But if you want to win the cash and the bragging rights, don’t submit a commercial that you wouldn’t see during the Super Bowl.

Let’s spell it out…

• no nudity (obviously)
• no swearing, cussing, or cursing
• no copyrighted material (find out more about copyright law)
• no feature films (keep it under 2 minutes)

Oh, and make sure everyone in your video gives you their permission to be on camera.

Submission details

Entries should be between 30 seconds – 2 minutes long. Any material after the 2 minute mark won’t be judged, so don’t waste your dramatic conclusion by going over the time limit.

When complete, get your commercial on the web for viewing. YouTube and Teacher Tube are great options for video sharing, but legally only adults can have accounts on these sites. If you’re between 13 and 17, you can use JumpCut to upload and edit your video on your own. If you’re under 13, Mom or Dad will have to upload and submit your video for you.

Once your video is online, let us know where we can watch it by sending a link to charactercounts@jiethics.org. Include the following info in your email so we can contact you if you win:

• Team name (if you’ve got one)
• Participants’ names
• Contact name (whoever submits the video)
• School, City, and State
• Valid email address (if different than the one you’re using to send your link)

Keep in mind that by submitting your video you’re agreeing that you’ve followed the guidelines on this page and you’re granting us the right to publish your entry.

There is no limit to the number of videos a student may enter into the contest.

The deadline

Video links must be emailed before midnight Pacific Time on December 12, 2008.

Judging

We’ll choose the five ads we think best promote the pillars. After that, it’s up to the fans to select which videos are the most powerful.

And remember, we will only judge videos based on the first 2 minutes.

Spread the word

Help us get the word out to anybody who'd want a chance at winning $500 - aka everyone you know. Use the share widget below and save a tree.

Legal eagle

By submitting your video you’re agreeing that you’ve followed these competition guidelines. You’re also granting us permission to use your name and publish your entry.

Any questions?

Email us at charactercounts@jiethics.org.

Let’s break it down

• Make a video about the importance of one of the Six Pillars (30 seconds to 2 minutes long)
• Upload your video to a video sharing website (YouTube, TeacherTube, JumpCut)
• Email CHARACTER COUNTS! your contact info and video link
• Vote!  Details to come — sit tight or check back; whatever floats your boat.