(Grand Rapids, MI, December 8, 2008)
WGVU is happy to announce that two of its productions have received honors from The Accolade Competition. The Accolades honor outstanding craft and creativity in film, video, television and commercials.
An Award of Excellence went to Battle Creek: Celebrating Flight 2008 for Videography. The program puts you inside the cockpit with the Thunderbirds, takes you up with the Starfighters, a three-ship team of F-104s and celebrates the magic of a hot air balloon launch. This up-close look at the 2008 Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival also includes the comedy of the Alabama Boys and a breathtaking wing walking display. It was shot by a WGVU Productions team, headed by Producer/Director Deb Kirk.
Stefon Harris: The Art of Listening has received an Award of Merit for Television in the Arts/Cultural/Performance/Plays category. Vibraphonist-composer Stefon Harris has been heralded as "one of the most important young artists in jazz" by the Los Angeles Times. Whether communicating with other musicians or with audiences, Stefon demonstrates how listening is truly an art form. In this documentary from WGVU Productions, he chats with scientists and riffs with jazz students. Stefon also responds to a Unitarian church's request for a new celebratory composition, then rehearses and performs with his own talented ensemble. The documentary was directed and edited by WGVU Production Manager Phil Lane.