Penn State Public Media, WPSU has earned six Mid-Atlantic Emmy nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. These regional awards recognize local productions for excellence in television programming and individual achievement.
The University-licensed PBS affiliate is competing in the following categories:
Arts Program/Special: “Music Theatre Spotlight 2013.” Jeffrey A. Hughes, producer/director; Whitney Chirdon, associate producer; Michael Klein, audio mixer.
Community Service: “Our Town.” Kate Domico, executive director; Greg Petersen and Jeffrey A. Hughes, executive producers; Whitney Chirdon, producer; Jessica Peters, producer; William Wallace, videographer.
Health/Environment/Science Program/Special: “Water Blues, Green Solutions.” Jeffrey A. Hughes, executive producer; Frank Christopher, producer/director; Cheraine Stanford, producer; Cole Cullen, editor; Patrick Baxter, associate producer.
Sports – Program Series: “Penn State Football: The Next Chapter.” William Amin, executive producer; Topher Yorks, lead producer; Don Hampton, producer/director; DaVita Miles, associate producer; Folashade Olasimbo, associate producer; Matt Stephens, videographer; Jud Mantz, editor; Jorge Jovel, editor; Jen Bortz, audio mix; Michael Klein, audio mix; Clint Yoder, field audio; Charles Dumas, narrator.
Photographer – Program: Mark Stitzer for “Water Blues, Green Solutions.”
Writer – Program: Frank Christopher for “Water Blues, Green Solutions.”
“Music Theatre Spotlight” showcases the 2013 class of Penn State’s renowned musical theatre degree program in a performance recorded live in the WPSU studios. The series, now in its eighth season, has received four Emmy nominations and won the award for Entertainment Program/Special in 2010.
The “Our Town” project was developed by Penn State Public Media in 1996 as an effort to involve the communities and their residents with WPSU-TV. The “Our Town” series is intended to treat viewers to the many personalities, perspectives and possibilities that local towns have to offer. The residents use video cameras so that they can capture the stories from their own perspective.
“Water Blues, Green Solutions” is an interactive film project telling the stories of communities creating green solutions for our water blues — flooding, pollution and scarcity. It premiered on WPSU-TV in February and has been shown nationwide through broadcasts and screenings on public television stations, at universities and in communities. The project features initiatives in Philadelphia, San Antonio, the Bronx and Portland, Oregon.
“Penn State Football: The Next Chapter” provides a fast-paced, intimate look inside the Nittany Lion football program. It includes a look at game week preparation, film breakdown, an all-access look at the coaching staff and visits with selected players on and off the field throughout the season. The coverage also includes a review of the previous week’s game with highlights, sideline and locker room coverage.
Mark Stitzer is a director of photography and editor for Penn State Public Media. Prior to joining Penn State Public Media, he did freelance audio, editing, videography and motion graphics for companies including Jockey Clothing and the U.S. Navy. His work has been recognized with a Mid-Atlantic Emmy and five Telly awards.
Frank Christopher’s award-winning public television documentaries cover a range of topics including American healthcare, marine wildlife, and nuclear waste disposal. A producer, director, writer and editor, he has garnered the highest recognition for his work, including an Academy Award nomination for best feature-length documentary, six Emmys and four CINE Golden Eagle Awards.
The 32nd annual Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Philadelphia Hilton on City Avenue in Philadelphia. The Mid-Atlantic chapter represents Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and parts of West Virginia and Ohio.
Several Penn State student productions also were nominated for the Mid-Atlantic chapter’s college and university production Emmy awards.