7. The overall performance category of the judging criteria will allow for scoring reductions for profanity and overtly sexually explicit material.

Transcription

1 Official National Talent Search Dance Competition Rules & Regulations Registration Process 1. Each National Talent Search competition will consist of Contestants (Individuals and Groups of no more than 7 people or Dance Crews of no more than 10 people) who have registered to compete in one (1) Talent Category by completed online application and who have returned a signed & completed performance agreement and who have auditioned at a scheduled open call audition or submitted a copy of a video performance from within the last 2 years, if requested/applicable. 2. Upon submitting the initial registration, the Contestant sponsor/contact will receive a performance agreement, contestant roster form, liability waiver and instructions for accommodations at the host hotel. The performance agreement & other documents will be due back to National Talent Search USA (PRODUCER) no later than the option date listed on the performance agreement. If this process is not completed by the deadline, the registration becomes null and void. If the contestant wishes to register after this time, the process will have to be started over from scratch. However, two (2) unsuccessful attempts to complete the process will result in exclusion from the designated competition. 3. Each Contestant will be considered registered upon completion of this registration process. Completed registration is REQUIRED in order for the Contestant to be eligible to audition. All eligible candidates will be notified via , phone and/or by regular mail regarding receipt of their completed registration package. The registration items are outlined in #1 & 2. If you / your group are not selected due to overbooking audition slots, you will be given a couple of options such as auditioning at a later date or to receive a full refund of your registration fee. 4. All Contestants must be AMATEURS. (AMATEURS being defined as the Talent are not currently under any binding performance or managerial contracts as well as any recording contract or other entertainment-based legal agreements. However, in the event a potential contestant does have a binding contract, NTSUSA will consider allow the artist offering the artist a performance slot as a promotional opportunity for the artist. If there is doubt or question about your status, it is best to contact NTSUSA for clarification of what will be acceptable. Judging Criteria 5. PRODUCER will select the judges for the judging panel, who will represent the dance, entertainment industry as well as select members of the general population of the local, regional or national community. There will be up to five (5) judges represented on the judging panel. This will consist of up to four (4) Judging Officials and one (1) Head Judge. The Head Judge is also the official time keeper and makes the final decision on any judgment questions. 6. The order of performance will be determined by random selection process during the designated venue check-in time of each contestant. The contestant will be given their performance order 30 minutes prior to the start of the competition. 7. The overall performance category of the judging criteria will allow for scoring reductions for profanity and overtly sexually explicit material. 8. Each contestant will have a total of 3-4 minutes to perform including the Entrance and Exit. There is NO grace period. The clock starts when the first member steps in full

2 view of the judges and time keeper and/or when the music or vocals start. The clock ends when the last person is off of the performance floor. 9. Five (5) points will be deducted from the combined total score for each minute infraction the contestant goes over time. (Example: 10:01-11:00 = -5 / 11:01-12:00 = - 10 / 12:01-13:00 = -15 / etc.) Performance 10. Each contestant must have all music cued on one CD. A person should be assigned to instruct the sound person during the performance. 11. If lighting cues vary during your performance, each contestant should have a stage/lighting coordinator. 12. All stage props must be approved by PRODUCER three (3) weeks prior to the competition. No contestant is allowed to call the venue for any reason. Ten (10) points will be deducted. No fire products will be allowed. All staging requests/requirements must be submitted to PRODUCER, in writing, immediately following registration confirmation. 13. No use of fire, helium balloons or confetti is permitted. All other props and special requirements must be approved by PRODUCER. Winning Contestant Advancement 14. The winning contestant of a showcase round competition will automatically qualify for the National Finals round. Overall Competition Practice 15. All contestants must report to all scheduled meetings, practice sessions, interviews, conference calls and photo sessions on-time. All contestants must reside at the host hotel, with the exception of contestants located in the immediate performance location. 16. PRODUCER honors the privacy and confidentiality of its clients & competitors. We will not share any information about contestants with other contestants. This includes information about accommodations, performance order, membership, practice times, etc. 17. If a contestant is found to be grossly un-sportsmanlike, involved in poor behavior or any altercation causing a disruption to the competition, the PRODUCER hosted venues including the host hotel or any PRODUCER sponsored / related competition events / tapings; these actions will result in the entire contestant talent roster being immediately disqualified. Performance Agreement 18. PRODUCER agrees to plan, organize and execute a competition and the Contestant understands and agrees to compete in the entire championship competition series until elimination. 19. The Contestant Sponsor and/or Signer of the performance agreement takes full responsibility to maintain open communication with PRODUCER, including written, phone and/or correspondence, from registration inception until elimination from competition.

3 20. The Contestant Sponsor agrees to read & complete the performance agreement in its entirety without altering or defacing the agreement. The Contestant Sponsor acknowledges if there is any false information, agreement alteration or misrepresentation discovered by PRODUCER, the performance agreement becomes null & void, effective immediately. All pending registrations & membership affiliations are also subject to revocation and/or cancellation. Note: Incomplete performance agreements will not be accepted or processed. 21. Each National Talent Search Showcase Champion will be awarded the designated prize earnings; the competition title for their talent category, travel stipend of a designated amount determined by PRODUCER or PRODUCER arranged transportation (whichever method PRODUCER deems reasonable) and designated allotment of hotel accommodations for registered competition contestant to the next level Competition to compete for the Championship title. 22. The Contestant Sponsor agrees to return the Performance Agreement with talent waiver and contestant talent roster by close of business (9:00pm EST) on or before [Agreement Option Date], which is designated on the agreement. Contestant also agrees to pay balance of registration fee along with the submission of this agreement by close of business (9:00pm EST) on or before [Agreement Option Date]. Documents can be faxed to , the preferred method; mailed to the address below, or ed to PRODUCER with a hard copy with signature mailed or faxed. If more time is needed, Contestant must communicate with PRODUCER, in advance of deadline, and Contestant must receive an affirmative reply from PRODUCER, otherwise this agreement becomes null and void at the close of business on [Agreement Option Date]. Disclaimer 23. PRODUCER reserves the right to amend the rules based on the competition and/or circumstances. For further information, go to the official National Talent Search Information

4 National Talent Search Competition Judging Criteria: 1. The judges will use the categories (shown right) to judge your performance. 2. The total score of the combined categories equals your score from each judge. 3. Each judge will submit their score sheet immediately following your team s performance. 4. Each judge will score independently; therefore, teams can receive a high score from one judge and a low score from another in the same category. 5. Judges will deliberate for any performance violations. 6. The highest and lowest score sheet from the judging officials will be removed and placed on reserve in the event of a tie. 7. The remaining two score sheets combined with the head judge s score sheet will be totaled together giving each team their final score out of a possible 300 points. 8. In the event of a tie, the teams with the tied scores will have all five (5) judges score sheets totaled to determine the team with the highest score out of 500 points. 9. In the event of another tie, the team with the highest total from all five (5) judges score sheets in the Overall Performance category, a possible 75 points, will be deemed the winner. 10. In the event of another tie, the team with the highest total score received from the Head Judges score sheet will be deemed the winner. 11. And in the event of another tie, the team who scored higher in the Overall Performance category from the Head Judge will be deemed winner. 12. If there is still a tie, the Head Judge will decide the outcome of the tiebreaker. Judges Score Sheet Introduction / Entrance: 1-10 Transitions: 1-10 Complexity: 1-15 Creativity: 1-15 Synchronization: 1-10 Enthusiasm: 1-10 Vocal Clarity: 1-5 Conclusion / Exit: 1-10 Overall Performance: 1-15 Minimum: 9pts / Maximum: 100pts Disclaimer Judges Decisions: All winners will be announced at the end of each event and the Judges comments will be available to all contestants at the conclusion of each event. The Judges decisions are final. Talking with or contacting Judges before, during or after the competitions is unethical and inappropriate. The NTS reserves the right to disqualify any contestant(s) displaying such conduct. Agreement: When entering the National Talent Search USA local auditions, the participant(s) agree to allow NTS the right to obtain photographs, DVDs and video recordings of the competitions that can be used by the NTS for any purpose without compensation. The NTS reserves the right: (1) to combine levels and or events (2) cancel any competition event that does not have adequate entries. Video recording: Please DO NOT bring photography and video recording equipment into the audition and showcase while competition events are in session. Photography is allowed only before and after events. NTS provides official videographer for each of the auditions, showcases, and finale. DVDs will be available for purchase. Any performer competing in the dance category takes inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to sprains, bruises, pulled muscles, and broken bones. Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by performers. Therefore by virtue of registering for this event, it is agreed that participants will not hold National Talent Search liable;

5 National Talent Search USA, or its officers, directors officials, staff or employees responsible for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to the National Talent Search auditions, showcase, or/and finale. National Talent Search USA and the hosting facility are not responsible for personal injury to either contestants or spectators. National Talent Search is not responsible for lost or stolen property.