Brief

For a number of years I covered the National Senior Spelling Bee held annually in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I would shoot and edit together highlight packages for the University of Wyoming, a sponsor of the event. One year, they asked me if I could incorporate the weekend’s package of informational seminars aimed at learning and memory skills focusing on processes in senior learning into a half hour program. It would also incorporate elements of the National Spelling Bee. It was a challenge I could not resist. As it was a relatively low budget project, I thought I would see if I could orchestrate the project myself. To make a long story short, with funding from the University of Wyoming Geriatric Education Center, I produced, wrote and edited the half hour program. I shot a lot of it as well, with help from several other camera folks. Graphics were created by an independent graphic artist. It aired regionally on PBS outlets and was also used as a teaching tool by educators.

The efforts turned out better than I could have hoped. The program was awarded an Emmy Award by the Heartland chapter of N.A.T.A.S. in the Informational Program category. It also received a national Telly Award in the Health and Wellness category.

The show has been out for a few years but I include it here to demonstrate that I bring a complete tool box to your project.