A College Course and a Nomination That Paved the Way

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences nominated three Chattahoochee Technical College graduates for their 2011 Southeastern Regional Emmy awards.  The television production nominees, Mableton’s very own Dean Williams, Woodstock’s David Sizemore and Joe Warner, went head to head for the “Outstanding Achievement: Student Production Excellence” award.

In the end, David Sizemore took the prize with his short film, “An Artist’s Story."

“Finding out about the nomination was a very pleasant surprise,” Warner, 27, says.  “I definitely used it for bragging rights among friends and family.”

Williams, 25, says it was "amazing," "exciting," and "ironic," too, because all three students went to the same campus and were all nominated in the same category.

According to the organization's official website, The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, is based out of Atlanta and is a “professional, non-profit association dedicated to excellence in visual image.”

It was the college course, Advanced Media Projects, that lead these students to create their pieces.  According to Warner, the purpose of the class was to teach a new editing software program called Avid.

“We had to create a story and put it all together,” Williams says.  “We did everything from writing the story, to lighting, directing, and editing.  We did it all, from pre-production to post-production.”

Williams’ interview/documentary, “The Bryan Gaynor Interview,” was based on Bryan Gaynor, a Kennesaw State University student who has a bad case of scoliosis.  According to Williams, Gaynor is an amazing robotic dancer who appeared on the television program "So You Think You Can Dance." Williams interviewed and filmed Gaynor and his dance crew. 

As for Warner, his short film, “Jim Dunham Feature” was an interview with a man who is fascinated with the old West.

“I think the subject of my piece made it stand out among others.  I believe choosing such a colorful character caught the eyes of the judges,” Warner says.

Apart from being nominated for an Emmy, Warner also won first place in the “Two-Year/Small College” category at the Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts.

“I got a free trip to Las Vegas to accept my award, a check for $1,000 and video editing software.  This was a great way for me to verify making the right choice career wise,” Warner says.

The trio now eagerly awaits the future. With an Emmy nomination under each of their belts, there is nothing these graduates cannot do especially since the motivation and the creative talent is effervescent.  Warner currently freelances for WSB-TV and tries to pick up any other job that is available. He says he has a few ideas in mind which he plans on pursuing in the near future.

Williams is looking for a full-time production assistant job with a production company.

“What is funny is that I initially wanted to be an actor,” Williams says.  “I figured I would get this degree in order to get in through the back door.  Yes, I am still interested in acting but right now I love working behind the camera.”

Williams says that Chattahoochee Tech gave him his motivation.  He would spend hours at school and says that it was a great experience.  With a 3.3 GPA, he now plans to continue his education at Georgia State University and that he is looking forward to being engaged in what he truly enjoys.

“I don’t give up.  I am very persistent.  That is my personality,” Williams says.

Williams plans on submitting a project every year and says that even if he does win the Emmy someday, he is still going to submit works.

“I can’t stress how slow I was in class,” Williams says.  “I was the underdog.  I kept trying and trying and I am proud of all the hard work that I have done.”