The Utah Valley University Studios and Broadcast Services team is Emmy Award-winning. Their work on video productions featuring UVU students earned two Emmys at the 42nd annual Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards show on Saturday, September 14, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Both videos won in the category of Arts/Entertainment Program Segment. One featured UVU’s male a cappella group, Voiceline, singing a Halloween medley. It was directed by Brendan Larkin and features the singers in costumes representative of Halloween classics including “Thriller,” “The Addams Family,” “I Put a Spell on You,” among others. Various lighting, angles, and special effects, including fog, were utilized to create a dramatic effect and mood. Larkin said the ability to set the stage for a production doesn’t always equate to being good on stage.
“Mark [Hansen] and I were nervous all day. The competition was good, and we were in no way sure we were going to win. When the announcer announced both of our projects we were just amazed, our jaws were on the floor,” said Larkin. “We walked up to the front. I completely forgot to look for the reaction to our video playing, and basically walked up to the stage and right back off.”
The second video to take home an award was directed by Mark Hansen, featuring UVU’s National Champion dance team. The video is based around the popular TV series “Stranger Things” and highlights the UVU dance team overcoming the series villain, the Demogorgon. The video made good use of lighting, creating an ambiance with dark and bright exposure. The special effects and expert editing make the video visually exciting.
UVU’s Studios and Broadcast Services films, edits, and produces videos on and about campus. “At the studio, we are all good friends. We are allowed to be creative, we come up with original ideas, and get to work with talented people who make those ideas real. When people talk about doing what makes you happy for work, I don’t have to wonder what that would be like, I get to do it every day,” Larkin said.
The production team was proud to represent UVU and to be recognized for their work. “I have honestly never won an award with a trophy and all, so I really don’t know what to expect other than we will probably start entering more contests. It is nice to get some recognition from the industry, though,” Larkin said.
At the studio, we are all good friends. We are allowed to be creative, we come up with original ideas, and get to work with talented people who make those ideas real. When people talk about doing what makes you happy for work, I don’t have to wonder what that would be like, I get to do it every day.
