CALLING ALL YOUNG FILMMAKERS! #BETHE1TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND RECEIVE STATEWIDE RECOGNITION BY CREATING SHORT FILMS ABOUT SUICIDE PREVENTION.

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1 The e g n a h C t ng s i e t t n c o Dire a n d F i l m C m a r g o r P CALLING ALL YOUNG FILMMAKERS! #BETHE1TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND RECEIVE STATEWIDE RECOGNITION BY CREATING SHORT FILMS ABOUT SUICIDE PREVENTION. OPEN TO YOUTH 14 TO 24 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. SUBMISSION CATEGORIES: SUICIDE PREVENTION THROUGH THE LENS OF CULTURE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: APRIL 2, Visit for contest rules and educational resources. Directing Change Program & Film Contest

2 Directing Change, integrates sound pedagogical principles into the filmmaking process so that participants are engaged via all methods of the "learning spectrum": to see, experience, discuss, and apply. Youth are challenged to critically analyze key components of suicide prevention and how best to communicate these in their films. Once created films are used in schools and communities to raise awareness and start conversations about these topics. "This contest stirred amazing conversation amongst my students. I truly believe their eyes have been opened to the fact that they can make a difference in suicide prevention and eliminating the stigmas of mental illness." This project awakened something in some of the kids that has them excited about coming to school and learning. It's exciting to see a group of kids who desperately need help and encouragement themselves excited about creating films that will help and inspire others." "This program has had a tremendous impact on our school because the work the students do is seen by such a huge audience and what the students learn, the warning signs and resources available, stays with them for the rest of their lives. There is a lot of kids hurting today and these films are made by teenagers for teenagers and they speak in a language that resonates." Directing Change Program & Film Contest

3 Directing Change How to Get Started 1. Bookmark our URL Review the contest rules and FAQ The contest is open to high school students and youth ages 14 to 24. All film teams need to identify an adult advisor to review the film. There is no limit on the number of submissions by participants, schools or organizations. There is no limit on the number of people who can work on a film. Review the complete set of rules and FAQ at If at any time you are experiencing an emotional crisis, are thinking about suicide or are concerned about someone call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Immediately: 3. Visit the For Schools page on the Directing Change website Here you can find suicide prevention resources, as well as tools to promote the program at your school or organization. Directing Change is an evaluated youth engagement program. Lesson plans are now Or text HOME to: available! Before proceeding with this contest in your school, or at your organization, be sure to review the protocol and procedures in place at your school or organization for addressing the needs of youth in an emotional crisis. Chapter 2 in the Suicide Prevention: A Toolkit for Schools (provided on the website) provides guidance on how to do this. Download these resources at TALK (8255). This is a free 24-hour hotline.

4 4. Select a submission category and review judge scoring forms Participants can submit 60-second films in one of two submission categories: Suicide Prevention (60-second PSA): This category asks for a 60-second film that educates young people about the warning signs for suicide and how to offer support to a friend. Through the Lens of Culture- Suicide Prevention (60-second PSA): This category still focuses on suicide prevention, with additional requirements including adding captioning and exploring the topic through the lens of different cultures. o It is important to review the submission guidelines for each category carefully. Both categories have content that needs to be avoided to ensure your film is not disqualified or does not lose significant points during judging. o Every film needs to include the required logo end slate and title slide. Submission guidelines can be found at 5. The submission deadline is April 2, 2018 A complete Entry Form includes: An entry form with your uploaded film link and with information about your school or organization, and each participant. Vimeo is our video service partner and you must upload your film to the Directing Change Vimeo page before you submit your Entry Form. Entry forms can be saved for up to 30 days. Every person involved in the creation of the film (this includes all cast and crew) must agree to the terms and conditions listed in the entry form and must sign a release form. Anyone under the age of 18 also needs to have the form signed by their parent or a legal guardian. Release forms are required so that we can share your films broadly, even on TV and in movie theatres to help prevention efforts across the state. All release forms can be viewed at and must be signed and kept on file by the adult advisor. Direct Change and Get Noticed! Winning films will be featured on the Directing Change program website. 1 st to 10 th place winners in each category will be recognized at a red carpet award ceremony. Winning films will be used to raise awareness on these important topics throughout the state! 6. Judging and Prizes All films are judged by professionals with expertise in film making and/or expertise in suicide prevention and mental health. 1 st to 10 th place winners in each category will be selected and recognized at the award ceremony in May We are here to help! For questions or technical support contact Ryan.Fowler@odmhsas.org

5 Contest Rules To enter the contest you must agree to these official rules. Submission of an entry constitutes an agreement to these rules. Eligibility The contest is open to youth ages 14 to 24. To enter, youth participants need to be associated with a school (middle school, high school, college, university) or partner with a community-based organization or youth program to submit an entry. Any school in Oklahoma is eligible, including but not limited to: public, private, charter, alternative and home schools. Films must be reviewed and approved by an adult advisor at the filmmaker s school or partner organization (such as but not limited to: the principal, a teacher or a counselor) for content that is suitable for schools and a general public viewing audience. Filmmakers can, but do not have to, produce the film as a school, after school or club activity. Youth can submit as a team from different schools or organizations but the team needs to identify one adult advisor representing the lead school or organization. Suicide prevention is a sensitive subject matter and we encourage participants to meet the grade and age requirement. All participants listed on the entry form must meet the grade and age requirement. Up to 10 students or youth may be listed on the entry form, however there is no limit on the number of people who can be on a film team. There is no limit on the number of submissions one person can be part of and no limitation on the number of submissions from a single school or organization. Notice of Intent to Direct Submit the Intent to Direct Form at to let us know that you are planning to submit a film and in which category. Submitting the form does not obligate you to submit an entry, just as not submitting the form does not disqualify entries, but it helps us with the planning process. In the form we will ask you to include: Name of lead participant Name of adult advisor Name of school or organization Name of county in which your school or the organization you are partnering with is located Only one Intent to Direct Form per team please! Submission Categories There are two submission categories: Suicide Prevention (60-second PSA): This category asks for a 60-second film that educates young people about the warning signs for suicide and how to offer support to a friend. Through the Lens of Culture- Suicide Prevention (60-second PSA): This category focuses on suicide prevention, with additional requirements including adding captioning and exploring the topic through the lens of different cultures.

6 Submission Deadline (Midnight PST Monday, April 2, 2018) An entry form for every film submission must be received by the deadline. You will be asked to upload your film as part of the entry form. Vimeo is our video service partner and all technical specifications need to be in line with their requirements. The entry can be saved for up to 30 days at a time. Trouble shooting tips: Try a different browser (e.g. if you are using Google Chrome, try Internet Explorer) Try uploading the film from a different computer (e.g. instead of your school s computer, try your home computer.) Contact us we have never disqualified a film as a result of technical problems! Music and Copyrights Entries must meet all copyright standards by obtaining releases for all copyrighted music and materials prior to submission. Entries that include copyrighted materials (such as images, supers or audiovisual materials) or music (such as music purchased from itunes, on CD or other downloadable services) without the proper permission and signed release forms will be disqualified. Please review the forms and copyrights page at for more information and to download the appropriate forms. It is best to use original music! (When obtaining permission, you are not just seeking to use permission for submission into the contest, but for all mediums that the film will be used in including online and broadcast. Release Forms Every person involved in the creation of the film (this includes all cast and crew) must agree to the terms and conditions listed in the entry form and must sign a release form. Anyone under the age of 18 also needs to have the form signed by their parent or a legal guardian. The release form is available as one page, and includes release of intellectual rights, and image and voice rights. Please review the forms and copyrights page at for more information and other requirements. All applicable release forms need to be kept on file by the adult advisor. The Directing Change team will request release forms from the winning film teams and any other films that we anticipate may be used to support local awareness efforts, therefore it is important to keep all forms on file. If release forms cannot be provided upon request, the film may be disqualified. Submission Format Entries must be 60-seconds in length. Vimeo is our video services partner and all technical specifications need to be in line with their requirements. You will be asked to upload your film as part of the entry form. By uploading your film to Vimeo you will automatically agree to their terms and conditions. Vimeo recommends that when preparing your video for upload, it s best to maintain the video s native frame rate when compressing your video. If your footage exceeds 60 FPS, they will automatically reduce the frame rate. Vimeo recommends a constant frame rate throughout your entire video. Always choose constant frame rate instead of variable frame rate. A codec is the format in which your video is encoded. Vimeo accept most major codecs, but for best results they recommend H.264 or Apple ProRes 422. For more information on exporting your video to meet upload requirements, please view a tutorial on your particular editing software Troubleshooting Upload Problems: Troubleshoot-uploading-problems Submission Language Films in languages other than English are encouraged and will be accepted as long as they have English captioning. They should be submitted in the Through the Lens of Culture-Suicide Prevention category. Judging Process & Prizes All films will be judged by professionals with expertise in film making and/or expertise in suicide prevention and mental health. 1 st to 10 th place winners in each category will be selected.

7 Winning films will be featured on the Directing Change program website. 1 st to 10 th place winners in each category will be recognized at a red carpet award ceremony. Winning films will be used to raise awareness on these important topics throughout the state! Submission Requirements All films need to meet certain submission requirements. These vary by category. Please review the requirements for each category. Requirements include, but are not limited to: Required logos and resources (available as one end slate that can be added at the end of the film) Every film has to begin with a beginning title slide (not counted in the 60-second limit) that needs to include: The Film Title, Filmmakers Name(s), School/Organization Name, County in which School or Organization is located, Adult Advisor Name, Submission Category. A title slide template is available for download at but youth are welcome to create their own. Safety Please avoid potentially dangerous production situations that could put crew, actors or the public at risk. Safety during the project is of highest priority. Directing Change staff and sponsors take no responsibility and assume no liability for any acts or damages that may result from preparing the materials to submit to this contest. Further, all of the submission categories are sensitive subjects that need to be addressed with respect and understanding for how they might impact those involved in the project. If at any time, you or someone working on the project experiences an emotional crisis let an adult know immediately or call the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline : TALK (8255). This is a free 24-hour hotline. Elimination Providing false information, not meeting the submission deadline, not obtaining the proper release forms and copyright permissions or any other violation of the contest rules can lead to the elimination of an entry. The Directing Change Team reserves the right to disqualify any entry that they believe at their sole discretion to violate safe messaging, to violate the rights of any third party or that violates U.S. or applicable state or local law. Further, the advisor can refuse to submit an entry that is not suitable for schools and a general public viewing audience. All categories have special content that must be included and specific content that must be avoided and can lead to disqualification. Entries should not be uploaded to Vimeo, YouTube or any other video service sites accessible to the public (other than the official contest website as part of the entry form) until after winners have been announced on the website. The Directing Change Team reserves the right to suggest entries be revised if they contain disqualifying content or other content not consistent with the official contest judging form or if the entry promotes incorrect data and statistics. If the revised entry is not submitted by the deadline or deadline identified by the Directing Change Team, and the original entry contains disqualifying content, the film will be disqualified.

8 Submission Checklist: Number One: I reviewed at least one of the educational resources that are listed on the Directing Change website. Potential resources include: Short educational films: o How to Help a Friend o Suicide Prevention 101 Suicide Prevention Fact Sheet Number Two: I reviewed the judging form for my category and scored my own film. Judging forms can be downloaded on the website. This means your film will not be disqualified because you are not showing a suicide attempt or death in your film. Your film is not going to lose 10 points for not having captioning in the Through the Lens of Culture category, which means including text in English that allows the viewer to fully comprehend your film, whether because of a linguistic barrier or hearing impairment. Number Three: My film is exactly 60 seconds long. Only the first 60 seconds of a film will be judged. Although the film won t lose points, any films which run longer than 60 seconds will not be judged upon their full content and will be at a disadvantage. The title slide does not count toward the 60-second limit. Number Four: My film includes the required end slate. Each category requires an end slate with compilation image of logos and resources which should appear at the end of your film and within the 60-second limit.

9 Number Five: My film includes captioning if it is submitted in the Through the Lens of Culture - Suicide Prevention Category. Even if the film is in English, the film requires captions in English if submitted in the Through the Lens of Culture category. Number Six: My film includes a title slide. The title slide is not counted in the 60-second limit. You may use the title slide provided or you may create your own title slide as long as it includes the required information below: Film Title Filmmaker (s) names: (these are the youth involved in the filming, editing, or creation of the film) School or Organization, Club or Other Affiliation Name County (not country) Adult Advisor Name The Submission Category Number Seven: I completed the required release forms and have kept them on file with my adult advisor. Everyone on your cast and crew needs to fill out and keep on file a signed copy of the release form. (And if you are under the age of 18, the release form needs to be signed by a parent or legal guardian.) Signed release and applicable copyright forms should be kept on file by the adult advisor and will need to be ed or mailed to the Directing Change Team upon request. Number Eight: I have submitted an Entry Form and included a URL to my film uploaded to the Directing Change Vimeo page. DEADLINE APRIL 2, 2018

10 SUICIDE PREVENTION FACT SHEET Help-Seeking and Suicide Behavior among youth Programs designed to engage and educate youth about suicide prevention can reduce risk for suicide when they are used in conjunction with other strategies, such as protocols and staff training 1. Help-Seeking Youth suicide prevention education should include information about: recognizing warning signs, how to appropriately respond to a friend, available crisis resources, and the importance of telling a trusted adult. Youth who are suicidal talk with their peers rather than with adults about their concerns 2. Although percent of young people experiencing suicidal ideation turn to their peers and family for assistance, fewer than 25 percent of those peers told an adult about their friend s problem or urged the young person in crisis to go to an adult for help 3. In 2016, there were approximately 10,500 calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ( ) from Oklahoma 4. Suicidal Behavior Although youth die by suicide at lower rates compared to older age groups, about one in five youth report thoughts of suicide. The 2015 Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey results indicate 28.9% of youth felt sad or hopeless, 15.1% seriously considered suicide, 14.6% made a plan to attempt suicide and 7.4% made a suicide attempt 5. Between , 878 youth and young adults ages died by suicide in Oklahoma 5. The suicide rate for young adults not attending college is about double that of those who do attend college 6. 1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools, (June 2012) 2 Michelmore, L., & Hindley, P. (2012). Help-seeking for suicidal thoughts and self-harm in young people: A systematic review. Suicide and Life- Threatening Behavior, 42(5): ibid 4 Data collected by National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (2017) 5 Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2015, havior_survey_(yrbs)/index.html 6 Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Suicide Among College and University Students, (Aug 2017)

11 Recommended Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: o o Lifeline Crisis Chat available 24/7: Crisis Text Line: o Text Home to Know the Signs: o o For more information on warning signs, how to find the words to offer help, and local resources in every county

12 Further Information Regarding Youth Suicide Prevention Recognizing When Help is Needed Warning signs are indications that someone may be in danger of suicide, either immediately or in the near future. Most suicidal people show one or more warning signs, so it is important to know the signs and take them seriously, especially if a behavior is new or has increased and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. The following signs may mean that a youth is at risk for suicide, particularly in youth who have attempted suicide in the past. The presence of more than one of the following warning signs may increase a youth's risk for engaging in suicidal behaviors in the near future. Youth Suicide Warning Signs 7 Talking about or making plans for suicide Expressing hopelessness about the future Displaying severe/overwhelming emotional pain or distress Showing worrisome behavioral cues or marked changes in behavior, particularly in the presence of the warning signs above. Specifically, this includes significant: o Withdrawal from or changes in social connections/situations o Changes in sleep (increased or decreased) o Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context o Recent increased agitation or irritability What to do If you are having thoughts of suicide: Please reach out for support by contacting a friend, family member, or a trusted adult You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ( ) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting Home to If you are concerned about someone: Ask them directly if they are having thoughts of suicide (talking to someone about suicide will not put the thought in their head) o To learn more about having the conversations, visit: Talk to a trusted adult. Your friend may ask you not to tell anyone, but it s important to share this information to get your friend the help they need You can always call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: o You don t have to be the person in crisis to call. If you are supporting someone through a difficult time, call the Lifeline and they can support you and provide resources for your friend 7 Youth Suicide Warning Signs, (Aug 2017)

13 Safe and Effective Messaging on Suicide Prevention: Considerations when Creating Public Messages about Suicide Prevention When creating your film, it is important to remember that suicide is a complex issue and research shows that certain presentations may influence a person towards suicide behavior, or towards seeking help. The Directing Change Program encourages all youth and young adult filmmakers to apply best practices based on the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention s Framework for Successful Messaging 8. Positive Narrative The Positive Narrative component of the Framework for Successful Messaging is designed to increase promoting the positive about suicide prevention. Content to Include: There are actions that people can take to help prevent suicide Prevention works Resilience and recovery are possible Effective programs and services exist Help is available Safety The Safety (or safe messaging ) component of the Framework for Successful Messaging focuses on avoiding potentially harmful messaging content. Certain types of messages about suicide can increase the likelihood that at-risk individuals will consider or attempt suicide themselves. Content that undermines prevention goals is problematic as well. Content to Avoid: Repeated, prominent, or sensational coverage Details about suicide method or location Portraying suicide as a common or acceptable response to adversity Glamorizing or romanticizing suicide Presenting simplistic explanations for suicide Including personal details that encourage identification with the person who died For more information on the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Framework for Successful Messaging, visit: 8 National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, Framework for Successful Messaging, (Aug 2017)

14 Directing Change Program and Film Contest Project Waiver and Release Form (For All Cast and Crew) Film Name: (Film) 1. In consideration of my participation in the production title ( Film ) as part of the Directing Change Program and Film Contest, I hereby consent to the photographing, recording, or reproduction in any other manner of my likeness, voice and activities, in whole or in part, including the use of video and audio recordings and web use (hereafter recordings ). I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished audio and/or video recordings that may be used in connection herein. I understand that I will receive no monetary compensation for my participation in this production, nor may I make any monetary claim in the future for this participation. 2. Filmmaker(s) and the Directing Change Program and Film Contest shall be the exclusive owner(s) of Film and Recordings giving them the right to, without limitation, in perpetuity throughout the universe, in any and all languages, in any and all media know known or hereafter invented:(a) exhibit, broadcast, use, reproduce and license others to use as they see fit all or any part of the Film and the Recordings; (b) edit, dub, subtract from, add to or modify the Recording and the Film in any manner, combine it with any other material and/or incorporate it into other films, projects or programs; and (c) use and license others to use my name, voice, likeness, image, photograph, performance, participation, expressions, personal experiences and biographical material (collectively Name and Likeness ), in and in connection with the production, distribution, advertising, publicity, promotion, exhibition and other exploitation of the Recordings, the Film, and in connection with The Directing Change Program s products and services, an unlimited number of times, without any obligation of any kind to me whatsoever. 3. I represent that any music, images or other materials in the Recordings and the Film (and my furnishing of Pre-existing Materials, if any) are original or in the public domain and will not to the best of my knowledge (i.e., what I know or should know after the exercise of reasonable prudence) infringe upon the rights of any third party. I represent and warrant that I have all rights and authority to enter into this Waiver and Release ( Release ) and to grant the rights granted herein. School or Organization Name : 4. As used in this Release: (a) the term Releasing Parties means and refers to each of me, my heirs, next of kin, spouse, spousal equivalent, guardians, legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors and assigns; and (b) the term Released Parties means and refers to Filmmaker and the Directing Change Program and Film Contest and each and all of their respective parents, subsidiaries, related and affiliated companies, licensees, sponsors, successors and assigns, and the directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, partners, shareholders, representatives and members of each of the foregoing entities. 5. I voluntarily assume any and all risks, known or unknown, associated with my participation in the Directing Change Program & Film Contest and actions and undertakings associated with my participation and the subsequent or simultaneous dissemination of the Recordings (collectively my Participation ). I acknowledge that my Participation may present certain risks to me, and I hereby assume any and all risks associated therewith, including, without limitation, the risk of physical or mental or emotional injury, minor and/or severe bodily harm, and/or illness, which arise by any means. 6. I and the other Releasing Parties hereby voluntarily and knowingly, release, discharge and relinquish any and all claims, actions and lawsuits of any kind against the Released Parties related to or arising from my Participation, including, without limitation, travel to and from any location used in connection with the Film and Recordings, travel to and from the award ceremony, the making, taping, production, use, editing, distribution, licensing, and/or promoting of the Film and the Recordings and/or any portion thereof, including, without limitation, any claims, actions or lawsuits for wrongful death, negligence and/or other fault, either active or passive, personal injury, wrongful death, defamation, false light, violation of right of publicity, invasion of privacy, disclosure of embarrassing private facts, fraud, breach of contract, infringement of copyright, and negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress. 7. I represent that I am at least 18 years of age, and that if I under 18 my parent or legal guardian has signed below. 8. I hereby agree not to assert any claim of any nature whatsoever against anyone relating to the exercise of the permissions granted hereunder. Agreed and Accepted: Signature: Date: Phone: Address: If Signatory is under 18: I represent and warrant that I am the parent or guardian of the minor whose name appears above, that I have read and approve of the foregoing Release, and consent to its execution by my child/ward. For good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I hereby release the Released Parties as set forth and in accordance with the foregoing Release from any claims and/or causes of action I may have against them of any nature whatsoever, and I hereby fully and unconditionally guarantee my child's/ward s releases, waivers and grant of rights as set forth above. Name of Parent or Guardian: Signature: Date: Address:

15 "Participating in the Directing Change contest was a fantastic way to express the messages that I think are important to teenagers today in a way that people my age will connect to. I hope that all the films in the Directing Change contest help teenagers accept themselves and seek help in the world around them rather than hiding how they feel." "Last summer a close family member died by suicide and it was, and still is, a tragedy for our family. I felt this program was a chance for me to do my part, to help another family from going through the same thing by talking about warning signs and suicide."

16 The e g n a h C t ng s i e t t n c o Dire a n d F i l m C m a r g o r P CALLING ALL YOUNG FILMMAKERS! #BETHE1TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND RECEIVE STATEWIDE RECOGNITION BY CREATING SHORT FILMS ABOUT SUICIDE PREVENTION. OPEN TO YOUTH 14 TO 24 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. SUBMISSION CATEGORIES: SUICIDE PREVENTION THROUGH THE LENS OF CULTURE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: APRIL 2, Visit for contest rules and educational resources. Directing Change Program & Film Contest