MediaLab recognized for latest documentary on higher education

MediaLab received two awards for its most recent documentary film, These Four Years. The documentary, which premiered in Seattle in November 2015, has earned an Award of Merit from The Accolade Competition of Southern California, and the Grand Prize in the documentary category in the National Broadcasting Society (NBS) Electronic Media Competition.

NBS Grand Prize winners were be announced at a Hollywood awards show on March 16, 2016.

These Four Years was created by four MediaLab seniors: Natalie DeFord, who served as chief editor, assistant producer and narrator; Evan Heringer, director of photography; Jasper Sortun, senior producer and director of art and graphics; and Grace Takehara, senior producer.

Thursday, April 28, 2016,
at 6:30 p.m.
Studio Theater,
Karen Hille Phillips Center for Performing Arts
Pacific Lutheran University

“We sought to make a thought-provoking film, and it’s really exciting to see our hard work paying off,” said DeFord, a senior Communication major who will graduate in May 2016. “We are honored about the recognition and hope that These Four Years can be helpful to students and families.”

These Four Years focuses on the value of higher education and the college experience. Specifically, the filmmakers sought to understand the effects that higher education, or the lack thereof, can have on professional opportunities and personal well-being and happiness in the 21^st Century. In pursuit of answers, the team traveled to cities across North America, including Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Montreal, Portland, Ore., Toronto, New Orleans, and many others.

During a particularly hectic production period in June 2015, the team filmed more than 50 interviews in 15 locations in just 18 days, talking with high school and college students, college graduates, faculty members, parents, administrators, researchers, statisticians, and economists. The filmmakers came home with more than 70 hours of original video footage and hundreds of photographs that they turned into their 30 minute film.

These recent honors add to the more than two dozen other national and international recognitions MediaLab has received during its 10-year existence, including an Emmy Award, five Emmy nominations, four NBS Grand Prizes, seven Accolades, and two Canada International Film Festival Rising Star Awards, just to name a few.