Audio & Sound Design Showcase Rules – DRAFT

Overview

The Advanced Media Entertainment Society (AMES) is proud to offer high school students the opportunity to compete in the Audio & Sound Design Showcase. This competition highlights the technical and creative skill required to produce sound effects, foley, and soundscapes used to support narrative and gameplay in film or video games. While sound is often a “supporting” element, this showcase celebrates the sound designer as a primary storyteller.

Dates

  • Starting Date: March 9, 2026, 7:00 PM
  • Final Team Selection / Projects Due: May 7, 2026, 7:00 PM
  • Showcase Date: May 23???? June ????, 2026

Eligibility

  • Must be current High School students enrolled in (or who have completed) at least one Audio Production, Video Game Design, Film, or equivalent Media Arts course.
  • Students may work in teams of up to five personnel.
  • The Contractor Model: Sound designers are encouraged to act as “independent contractors” or “production houses” within their schools, potentially providing audio for multiple film or game teams. However, the audio work must be submitted here to be judged specifically for sound design excellence.

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following to their instructor by the local due date:

  1. Showcase Project: A video clip or executable that demonstrates the sound design in context.
  2. Instructor Endorsement: Verification that the project is student-produced and completed within the competition window.
  3. Third-Party Asset Form: A detailed list of all sounds used, clearly distinguishing between “homemade” and “found” assets.

Showcase Project Requirements

This competition evaluates “sound reinforcement” and the technical crafting of audio for a specific environment.

Deliverables

  1. Showcase Video: A screen capture (e.g., OBS) of the film or gameplay that highlights the sound design.
  2. Visual Evidence (DAW Tracks): Labeled screenshots of the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) tracks. These must show the arrangement and labeling of sound layers to prove the student predominantly crafted the experience.
  3. Third-Party Asset Documentation: A citation list for any external sounds used (Copyright Free, Creative Commons, or licensed).
  4. Audio Stems: Students must have stems available to provide upon request if judges require further clarity on the original contribution.

Technical Guidelines & The “10% Rule”

  • Found Material (The 10% Rule): Students may use up to 10% of found or library material (Creative Commons, copyright-free, etc.) provided it is properly cited.
  • Originality Requirement: To be eligible for top “best sound” awards, the work should be 100% original. If the most impressive or “core” element of the sound design is a library asset, the project will score lower.
  • Handcrafting: Rubrics favor homemade sounds over library assets. Even when using library sounds, students should demonstrate “thoughtful consideration” by editing or layering them to elevate the final product.
  • Safety Exception: Library assets for sounds that are unsafe or impossible to record (e.g., explosions, gunshots) are permitted as part of the 10% allowance.
  • Voice Talent: Outsourced voice acting (friends, parents, instructors) is permitted, provided the student team directs the performance and handles all recording and mixing.

Method of Submission

Projects must be submitted via the designated itch.io Showcase page or instructor-approved platform no later than the Final Team Selection Date.

Presentation and Judging

Projects will be evaluated using a specialized Audio/Sound Design Rubric.

  • Evaluation Focus: Relationship of sound to narrative/gameplay, technical mix, and the ratio of original vs. found assets.
  • Q&A Session: During the Showcase, judges will ask students how they worked with the audio and what steps they took to “elevate” found sounds.

For More Information

For questions regarding the 2026 Audio Showcase, please contact: Scott Le Duc Email: sleduc@osd.wednet.edu