Professor wins a media arts award

Will Anderson, a faculty member of the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, won Best of Competition at the Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts. His audio drama “The Holiday Spirit” won in the Long - Form Production category. 

Anderson states, “It’s a heartwarming family classic about a washed-up country western singer who takes it upon  himself to busk up money to prevent an evil landlord from foreclosing on a kindly veterinarian’s animal hospital.” 

Anderson originally wrote this story for students to perform on the Broadcast and Cinematic Art’s radio station, WMHW. He received a grant from the College of Arts and Media, and the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts to revise the script and create the audio drama. The cast included Steve Coon (Journalism), Ted Clayton (Political Science and Public Administration),  Jeff Weinstock (English Language and Literature), Shelly Hinck (Communication and Dramatic Arts), Bernie Cesena (Communication), Josh Brewer (Theater & Dance) and voice actor Eric Chercover. Stacy Pattison (Theater  & Dance) directed, and Jim Bollella (Broadcast & Cinematic Arts) engineered and edited the final product. 

The Festival of Media Arts is an “international digital media and broadcast competition for faculty and students.” Entries can be audio, documentary, film and video, interactive media and emerging technology, news, script writing and sports broadcasting. The judges are both academics and professionals. 

Anderson says, “’ The Holiday Spirit’ holds a very special place in my heart, and I’m thrilled that the judges recognized it with this prestigious award.” 

Listen to “The Holiday Spirit”

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Office of Research and Graduate Studies.