AETN productions win international awards
Arkansas Educational Television Network Executive Producer Carole Adornetto has announced several honors her department has recently received.
"AETN is fortunate to have extremely talented producers, directors, camera operators, audio technicians, editors, graphic artists and promotions specialists – in addition to wonderful foundation and agency partners, independent producers and hosts – working on our original films," Adornetto said. "Without them, we would never be able to produce such amazing programming that is relevant and essential to Arkansans.
"Recognition such as these awards is always welcome and equally shared with the many people who permit our cameras to enter their lives and tell their stories."
Productions recognized and the awards that they have received are:
"Historic Bridges of Arkansas," a Gold Communicator Award of Excellence in the history/biography category.
This film was produced by Casey Sanders in conjunction with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. It was designed to heighten viewers’ awareness and appreciation of these structures and preserve these monuments and memories for the future. Featured are "hard facts" about the bridges, the importance of preservation, locations and their historic significance. Also included are interviews with individuals with strong connections to and vivid memories of the various bridges.
"A New Island," a Silver Communicator Award of Distinction in the cultural category.
This film offers an in-depth look at the migration of people from the Marshall Islands to Northwest Arkansas and was produced by Dale Carpenter of the University of Arkansas. It examines the Marshallese population that settled primarily in Springdale during the 1970s and mid-90s, bringing with them their family traditions, culture and values. "A New Island" is underwritten by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.
"Charles Banks Wilson, Portrait of an American Artist," a Silver Communicator Award of Distinction in the documentary category and a Videographer Award of Excellence in the arts category.This film details the life of an 88-year-old Fayetteville man who received the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arkansas Arts Council’s Governor’s Arts Awards. Written and produced by Larry Foley, professor of journalism at the University of Arkansas, the film covers Wilson’s earliest days as a teenaged boy as he painted his first portrait of humorist Will Rogers, to some of his most recent works and his lifelong work painting what he calls "pureblood Indians" – Native Americans who trace their ancestry back to a single tribe.
"AETN Presents: Front Row with Trout Fishing in America," a Silver Communicator Award of Distinction in the music/concert category and a Videographer Award of Distinction in the entertainment category.This concert features Ezra Idlet on guitar and Keith Grimwood on bass and was taped at the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus. The duo performs songs from their two Grammy-nominated albums, as well as some new songs, before an enthusiastic audience that becomes a part of the show. Accompanying TFIA is "multi-instrumentalist" Fred Bogert on guitar, piano, accordion and more. Funding for the production was provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts. It was produced by Casey Sanders and directed by Michelle Worden.
"Unconventional Wisdom," a Silver Communicator Award of Distinction in the government relations category.This monthly program is produced and hosted by David Sanders, an independent journalist and syndicated columnist whose work is distributed by the Arkansas News Bureau. The series is designed to move beyond the conventional approach of traditional public affairs programming and bring a range of fresh, thought-provoking ideas, views and voices to public television. Each episode opens the floor to debate political, economic and social issues facing Arkansas with information, insight and various viewpoints from state newsmakers.
"Men and Women of Distinction: Jane Krutz," a Silver Communicator Award of Distinction in the documentary category.This film was produced by Mark Wilcken and explores the life of a fixture in the world of public television for more than 40 years, Jane Krutz. In addition to raising a family of three and a successful business career, Krutz has volunteered for more than 40 organizations, was awarded the Community Service Governor’s Award for Volunteerism and named PBS’s Number One Volunteer of the Nation. "Men and Women of Distinction" features interviews with prominent Arkansans known for their citizenship, character and accomplishments.
"Growing Roots: Immigration in the Land of Opportunity," a Silver Communicator Award of Distinction in the public relations category.This film examines the state’s immigrant population based on "A Profile of Immigrants in Arkansas," a study commissioned by The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. The two-part program dispels fact from fiction by showing how immigration is changing Arkansas, the challenges and rewards faced by the state, and the misimpression that all immigrants are Latino. Produced and hosted by Steve Barnes, "Growing Roots" is underwritten by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and is closed captioned in both English and Spanish. The program was co-produced by Tanisha JoeConway and LaShuan Vaughn.
"Exploring Arkansas," a Videographer Award of Excellence in the outdoors/sports category.This series showcases what Arkansas is all about and focuses on the extreme adventures available in the Natural State. In each episode, producer and host Chuck Dovish introduces viewers to high adventure and outdoor recreation, featuring some of the most breathtaking and spectacular sights in Arkansas.
"Hubert’s World," a Videographer Honorable Mention in the social issue category.This film follows Hubert Bertrand, a 44-year-old man who has battled cerebral palsy since the age of three months, and allows viewers an inside look at his life and struggles. Examined are Bertrand’s hopes and dreams and his efforts to find a job, establish emotional relationships and live somewhat independently despite his disability. His obstacles include those who too often focus on his handicaps, overlook his abilities and impose unnecessary limitations on his life. "Hubert’s World" was produced by Richard Wormser of Videoline Productions.
The Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals. The 2008 competition received more than 8,000 entries from companies and agencies of all sizes, making it one of the largest awards of its kind in the world. The Award of Excellence is given to those entries whose ability to communicate puts them among the best in the field. The Award of Distinction is presented for projects that exceed industry standards in quality and achievement.
The Videographer Awards is an international awards program directed by communication professionals to honor talented individuals and companies in the video production field. The Videographer Awards is designed to identify communication professionals who are raising the standards of the industry. All work is judged solely on its own quality, creativity and resourcefulness. The Videographer Award of Excellence is given to those entries whose ability to capture the event or communicate the message is exceptional. The Award of Distinction is presented for projects that are outstanding, while Honorable Mention is awarded to projects that exceed industry standards.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (www.aetn.org) provides lifelong learning opportunities, improves and enhances Arkansans’ lives and celebrates the unique culture of Arkansas through its programming and services. AETN’s digital and analog transmitters and numerous cable system connections give it statewide reach.
