On Sep. 17, the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced the winners of the 2023 Ohio Valley Student Production Awards, three awards being won by Asbury University students.
“Don’t Forget Us,” a feature-length documentary made by Asbury’s Journalism Department, won an award in the “Non-Fiction – Short or Long Form” category.
Filmed in the summer of 2022, “Don’t Forget Us” chronicles Asbury students as they visit Holocaust concentration camps in Germany and Poland. Through their travels, they confront the reality of a tragedy they’ve heard about but never experienced firsthand.
“It is such an honor that our documentary won the Nonfiction Award,” Gracie Turner ‘23, the documentary’s director, said. “I’m so proud of everyone involved and grateful for the opportunities this film has given me. To see our hard work turn into this is just amazing!”
“This honor is a product of much hard work and a university that provides amazing opportunities for its students to glorify God through their work,” said Assistant Professor of Journalism Rich Manieri, who served as documentary adviser. “I’m so proud of Gracie and the other students who helped make this happen.”
Travis Price ‘23 received two awards: one in the “Arts/Entertainment/Cultural Affairs, Lifestyle, or Music Video” category for the music video “Elevator Earthquake,” and one in the “Director or Writer” category for the short film “TOAST.”
“I want to give a big shout-out to every person who made this possible, and a thank you to NATAS Ohio Valley chapter for not only nominating me for this award but choosing me as the recipient,” Price said.
“Elevator Earthquake” is the music video for the song of the same name by Late After Noon, a hip-hop group also made up of Asbury students Braeden Bisher and Elijah O’Connor. The video portrays a crowded meet cute in a campus elevator. In addition to directing the video, Price also worked on cinematography and lighting.
“TOAST” is a minimalist thriller-comedy short-film centered on a man being haunted by a piece of toast. The short was directed by Price and written and produced by John Michael Heard ‘22.
Gavin Reed ‘23 also won an award in the “Photographer” category for his work as director of photography on “TOAST”.
“Don’t Forget Us” and “Elevator Earthquake” are both available to watch on YouTube. The ceremony for the Ohio Valley Student Production Awards can be viewed at http://watch.TheEmmys.tv/browse/.