By Elizabeth Hartmann | Echo
Two student films won the Crystal Pillar student production award from the regional Emmy organization-the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), Lower Great Lakes Chapter (LGL).
Seniors Hannah Goebel and Camden Johnson attended the award ceremony in Indianapolis on June 23, 2018 to accept the awards for their films. According to the NATASLGL website, more than 400 broadcasting industry officials were also present and many others watched online.
Goebel was the producer for the film "Cos Wars: More than a Hobby," which won in the Arts and Entertainment/Cultural Affairs section. "Cos Wars" is a documentary about people who dress up like Star Wars characters, express themselves artistically and serve the community at charity events and comic conventions. Although Goebel was the one present at the awards ceremony, her team included the director, Patrick Linehan ('18), the cinematographer, Niko Hays ('18) and the editor, senior Rebekah Hardwicke.
"The Illustrator," which won in the Long Form category, is a documentary about a talented artist and was directed by Johnson. Johnson's team includes the producer, Tiless Turnquest ('18), and the editor, junior Sean Quillen. Quillen and Johnson both worked on the cinematography.
Both films came to life in a documentary film class taught by Kathy Bruner, art, film & media department co-chair.
"I love teaching documentary film, because often the truth of people's lives is more amazing than fiction," Bruner said. "It's such a joy to teach students how to find the story, dig deeply to uncover what is hidden, craft something really compelling in the editing process and build lasting relationships with the people who are the subjects of their films."
A third film, a fictional piece called "Drop Dead Gorgeous," was also nominated for an award. It was directed and edited by Cam Glass ('17), produced by Daniel Ford ('17), written by Lincoln Reed ('17) and Matt Schiller ('18) did the cinematography.
Besides being nominated for an award, this narrative was also screened at the Film Festival of Columbus in mid-August and will be shown at the Hoosierdance International Film Festival in Kokomo in September.
Bruner explained that this recognition will provide students with the benefit from having the Emmy organization, which recognizes the best in television storytelling every year, on their resumes. It also gives the students validation, encouragement and the chance to give thanks and glory to God.
This is not the first time Taylor has been recognized by Emmy organizations, according to a press release on Taylor's website. Films from Taylor's program have been nominated 15 times and six have won awards since 2012. Bruner is excited to have both fiction and non-fiction films competing successfully.
Taylor's demanding Film and Media Production program prepares students for this success by teaching students to make choices about the film, including what music, graphics, archive photographs and sound effects to use.
"It takes an enormous amount of time, creativity and a commitment to strive for excellence," Bruner said. "These projects have been edited and fine tuned until the story really shines."
