Students receive praise at annual EMPixx Awards
Published 11:05 pm Saturday, May 2, 2009
IRONTON — For nearly three hours Friday, future electronic media stars from throughout the Tri-State received a gift that only a select few are able to take advantage of — personal mentoring by some of the best in the business at Ohio University Southern.
Part of the 10th Annual Student EMPixx Awards, the small-group tutoring sessions allowed winners and nominees the opportunity to ask and listen to area professionals about their experiences in the electronic media industry and why they made a career in this rapidly expanding field.
One of those taking aspiring editors and videographers under his wing was Howard Miller, college sports producer for ESPN. He spoke to students on the techniques of editing and sound.
“There are so many more outlets for video nowadays,” the Ironton native told a breakout group from Fleming County High School. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do anything. You wouldn’t be here today if you weren’t creative people.”
Andy Dodson, owner and president of Piscotti Productions, a local video production company based out of Wheelersburg, explained how the industry can throw anything at you at any time.
“There will be a lot of highs and lows and things will go wrong in this industry. However, do not sweat it,” Dodson said during a question and answer session. “You will learn more from doing things wrong that you will from doing anything right and that’s OK.”
Dodson also explained to students the importance of creating a demo reel and production contracts.
Additional breakout mentoring sessions were held by staff members of WSAZ-TV, WOWK-TV, Ohio College Access Network, Time Warner Cable, WLGC Radio and OUS.
The morning mentoring session served as a preview for the other main reason students made the journey to OUS — the announcement of the annual EMPixx Awards.
The awards were attended by more than 300 high school students from 23 high schools throughout Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. The awards reward students for their creativity and innovations in the electronic media field.
Previously named the EMMIE Awards (Electronic Media Moving Image Excellence) the ceremony was renamed this year due to the partnership the college made with the American Pixel Academy.
“This year’s affiliation with the EMPixx Awards takes our award program to a new level,” said Ohio University Southern’s Don Moore. “We consider it an honor that Mr. David E. Carter and the American Pixel Academy would choose Ohio University Southern to administer the Student EMPixx awards.
“We will continue the regional competition, but beginning next year the Student EMPixx Awards will go national. That’s exciting. There are some very talented teachers who encourage students to push the envelope, now they will be able to compete nationally.”
The EMPixx competition was created by Carter, a multiple Emmy and Clio award winner for electronic media.
The 2009 edition saw Portsmouth High School walk away the leader with nine awards while Waverly High School was second with four awards including Best of Show with their student-produced television channel WCSN.
Ironton High School took home the first place award in Multimedia Web Design with its Gen-Tech Pets Web site.
2009 EMPixx Winners
Animation
First Place: “Mr. Grumpy Goo”/Wilmington
Second Place: “The Moooonsta”/Jefferson County JVS
Audio Production
First Place: “Remember the Whiskey”/Collins Career Center
Second Place: “Stay”/Paint Valley High School
Digital Photography
First Place: Crystal Carpenter/Portsmouth High School
Second Place: Matt Day/Southeastern High School
Entertainment
First Place: “The Sweetest Surrender”/Lewis County High (WV)
Second Place: “10 Minutes”/Portsmouth High School
Independent
First Place: “Cheerbulb”/Fairland High School
Second Place: “Message from C.R.A.P.”/Fairland High School
Multimedia Print
First Place: EMPixx Posters/Portsmouth High School
Second Place: Senior Trip Posters/Jefferson County JVS
Multimedia Web
First Place: Gen-Tech Pets Website/Ironton High School
Second Place: Multi-Media Website/South Point High School
Newscast
First Place: WCSN 11-25-08/Waverly High School
Second Place: FLS News/Fairland High School
News Feature/Story
First Place: “Wisdom Teeth”/Waverly High School
Second Place: “A Makeover Story”/Waverly High School
Radio Commercial
First Place: “Melanoma”/Portsmouth High School
Second Place: Not Given
Sports
First Place: “Big John Prior”/Portsmouth High School
Second Place: Hooks for Books”/Portsmouth High School
Sports News Feature
First Place: “60 Second Sports Blitz”/Portsmouth High School
Second Place: “Swim”/Portsmouth High School
Video Commercial
First Place: “The Sun Screen”/Fleming County High School (KY)
Second Place: “Neutrogena Protection”/Wilmington
Judge’s Choice: “Death’s Denial”/Paint Valley High School
Best of Show: WCSN 3-20-09/Waverly High School