Short Film Grading Rubric               
ENTRY #                    TITLE:
Category:  (circle)  Student     Faculty    School Organization    Sports Team         Principal/ Other

Criteria

Developing (1)

Competent (2)

Exemplary (3)

notes

    #
(Over)

Narration / Acting / Character Dialogue

• Narrator/Dialogue rushes through or drags behind on screen images
• Narration/Dialogue is dry, without emotion or change in inflection

• Narration/Dialogue has a good pace to match visuals
• Emotion and inflection appropriate to on-screen images
• Effective acting or animated characters

• Good pace and innovative use of Narration/Dialogue
• Narration/Dialogue uses a wide variety of inflection, pace and emotion
• Quality acting or animated characters

Camera Use & Direction

• Rule of thirds is not observed
• Shot variety is lacking
• Inappropriate use of angle, position and/or movement
• Misuse of camera/animation features

• Limited use of shot variety
• Rule of thirds is in evidence
• Fair to good use of cameras/animation features

• Rule of thirds is in evidence
• 180 Degree rule is in evidence
• Variety of angles, positions and movements are employed aesthetically
• Fine use of camera/ animation  features

Shot Usage

• Shots are unorganized and do not show planning, purpose, and or story objective

• Shots indicate a basic purpose
• The theme of the project is evident

• Shots are well organized
• The purpose and/or message of the project is clearly discernable

Lighting Quality

• Indoor and outdoor lighting inconsistent
• Video tapes with windows or sun behind subject

• Properly sets white balance for indoor and outdoor lighting
• Avoids backlighting subject

• Consistently adjusts for indoor and outdoor lighting
• Uses fill lighting and reflectors when needed
• Uses backlighting as a special effect

Sound Tracks & Music Clarity & Mix
(No copyright
music w/o
permission)

• Sound is not clear
• Unplanned background noise
• Hard to hear or understand voices
• Inappropriate sound/music

• Little or no unnecessary background noise
• Voices are clear and easy to understand
• Music used appropriately and thematically
• Effective mix

• Uses directional microphones & headphones for consistent sound quality , cleanest mix & elimination of unwanted sounds
• Uses background music creatively

Story / Message / Information

• Story, Information or message intention is vague and or not carried thru to completion
• Information is unorganized, chaotic, or not clearly expressed
• Use of gratuitous violence, profanity, substance abuse, smoking

• Story , Information or message has clear intent and purpose
• Story , information or message is complete
• Information is organized in a coherent manner

• Story , Information or message is creative and clearly told
• Story, Information or message clearly achieves its intent
• Story , information or message has values and is compelling
• Information is organized and presented in a creative manner

Editing & Special
Effects

• Edits lacks continuity
• Edits are rough and detract from the flow of the production

•    Few or poor digital special effects/animation

• Edits are smooth
• Edits demonstrate competent use of edit tools 
• Edits appropriately link the production
• Special effects good

• Edits are smooth
• Edits demonstrate a strong command of edit tools
• Edits creative and enhance the production
• Special Effects remarkable with fine aesthetics/animation