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Students in the Media and Entertainment Arts (MEA) program, housed in The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Media and Communication, recently won prestigious global Telly Awards for their videography and cinematography productions.
The Telly Awards is the world’s preeminent recognition for video and television across all screens — receiving more than 12,000 entries from all 50 states and five continents. Telly Award winners represent work from some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies and publishers from around the world. Some of the prominent global brands and companies alongside smaller independent production houses include Cut+Run, Netflix, Disney Parks, Media.Monks, Paramount, and National Geographic Society.
Paul Linden, faculty lead for MEA and associate professor at USM, enthusiastically commends students for this recognition and for pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.
“As faculty, we are often inspired by the hard work demonstrated by our students throughout the year,” said Linden. “To see this impression validated by a globally recognized organization like the Telly Awards reflects strongly on the quality of education offered here at USM, as our creative media programs continue to see strengthening in the level of our students’ work. It’s a good time to be involved, as we push the boundaries of visual storytelling and contribute to the future of the industry.”
According to comments from Telly Awards judges, this year’s winners “demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and storytelling prowess.” USM students and faculty sponsors were honored for projects in the following categories:
Project 1: Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata in G minor, III Movement
Bronze Telly Award (Non-Broadcast-Student) and (Non-Broadcast-Videography/Cinematography)
- Production team: Robert Lock (director) from Jackson, Miss.; Emma Holston from Hattiesburg, Miss.; Shekhina Lee from Byram, Miss.; Joseph Weishaar from Daphne, Ala. (camera operators)
- Faculty sponsor: Jared Hollingsworth and Mary Sheffer
Project 2: Helen Gillet-French Pandemic Song
Bronze Telly Award (Non-Broadcast-Student)
- Production team: Robert Lock (director) and Ben Milburn from Clinton, Miss. (audio producer)
- Faculty sponsor: Jared Hollingsworth and Will Thompson
The category Non-Broadcast-Student is limited to those associated student productions (individual or a group) and the Non-Broadcast-Videography/Cinematography is judged specifically on the videography/cinematography of the piece; therefore, it is not limited to student production and much broader scope in terms of competition.
“Multiple MEA students that are involved with Digital Nest Media, our student organization, took part in the productions and put into practice everything we discussed in our classes,” said Jared Hollingsworth, faculty sponsor and video production expert. “It is a major accomplishment to be recognized in the videography/cinematography category specifically. To be recognized in that category alongside major platforms such as HBO and production professionals that produce content for Amazon, Al Jazeera Digital and more is amazing and speaks volumes of the quality of work our MEA students are capable of producing.”
The Telly Awards are judged by members of the Telly Awards Judging Council, a group of more than 200-plus working industry professionals who have previously won the Telly Awards’ highest accolade, and as such, have demonstrable expertise in the categories they review. All members of the Telly Awards Judging Council must apply and be accepted after their credentials are verified.
Learn more about the Media and Entertainment Arts program.
About the Telly Awards
The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by an industry-leading panel of experts across multiple disciplines, including advertising, film production, television, and streaming content. For more information, visit tellyawards.com.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is one of only 37 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance, and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of more than 14,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 36 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 24 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.
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