Documentaries Dominate

Six Media Production students will be recognized with top awards for their documentary films at the annual Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 15-17.

The documentary, “Patchwork,” produced by Kim Plummer, Julie-Ann Florio and Tevita Toutaiolepo, will receive the BEA Best of Festival King Foundation Award as the top-ranked student documentary entry. “Patchwork” tells the story of Chips the Clown from the Big Apple Circus, and the tragedy that triggered his transformation.

“Winning an award from the BEA was really important,” said Plummer, co-producer and co-director of “Patchwork,” “because it took the piece and the exposure it’s getting to a new level. It means a lot to know that other people are enjoying what we’ve created.”

Florio, who shares the directing credit with Plummer, said, “I am thrilled about the response that ‘Patchwork’ has initiated. It is so flattering to be acknowledged with this award but, more so, it is an honor to have had this opportunity to create such an endeavor, and embrace this story.”

The second documentary, “Over the Ropes,” produced by Mellisa Misner, Jarred Thomas and Michael Carney, will be awarded first prize in the Long-Form Documentary category. The story is about two professional wrestlers (one of them a New Paltz student), who are getting back into the ring to face off after a six-year absence.

Gregory Bray, who teaches the Seminar in Production capstone course for students majoring in Media-Production said, “We provide a high-impact learning environment, and these students are earning their strong professional results and accolades. Every semester I’m amazed by the level of dedication students put into their work. I feel both ‘Patchwork’ and ‘Over the Ropes’ are excellent pieces worthy of strong national praise. Turns out, I’m not alone.”

The BEA festival received a total of 840 submissions this year – 150 from faculty and 690 from students. Following a rigorous review process, 185 entries, representing 76 colleges and universities, were accepted into the festival – 39 faculty works and 146 student submissions.

This year, 10 student entrants were selected to receive the Festival of Media Arts King Foundation Award, the highest honor, in recognition of their outstanding academic work. The Best of Festival winners will receive a $1,000 cash award from the Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation and will be honored during a special awards ceremony on Friday, April 16, at the BEA convention.