The "Electronic Media" emphasis in journalism school concluded with an advanced documentary production class. It's where everything finally came together: One 10-week term to research, write, shoot and edit a short documentary. No problem!
Our group chose a complicated but rich topic: Vietam protests at the University of Oregon. Back in the day, things got pretty hairy on campus, as the ROTC was burned down and the National Guard fired tear gas on students. We were able to track down the president of the university at the time, 95-year-old Robert D. Clark. Thanks to his incredible interview, we were able to craft our story around his experience and actions.
After the class came to an end, I decided to continue refining the project, with the goal of having it air on Oregon Public Broadcasting. Over the summer I rewrote the script, shot some extra b-roll, and re-edited most of the project. Here is the final version:
The OPB programming director accepted this version and it aired later that year, which made it eligible for a Northwest Regional Emmy. Sure enough, we got a nomination in the Student Production category! By then I was working at KEZI-9 in Eugene, making little money but excited to be working in The Biz. The weekend of the Emmys, I drove up to Seattle and made my way to the ceremony. Glad I did, because we nabbed it!
After a nervous and clunky speech (that I hope doesn't exist online anywhere), I made my way to an old friend's house, where I slept on his couch because I couldn't afford a hotel room.
It's hard to believe, but that was ten years ago this week! "Oregon's War at Home" allowed us to throw "Emmy winning filmmaker" in front of our names, which helped get our careers in television and entertainment started.
Of course, now I watch the doc and see a hundred things I'd change if I had the chance, but I suppose it served its purpose at the time.
