MediaLab receives national prize for latest documentary film about higher education

These Four Years, which premiered in Seattle in November 2015, has earned a Grand Prize in the documentary category in the National Broadcasting Society (NBS) Electronic Media Competition. The award was 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.

“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 and German double 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 21st 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.

These Four Years will premiere on the PLU campus at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2016, in the Black Box Theater at the Karen Hille Phillips Center for Performing Arts, located at 12180 Park Ave. S. Tacoma, WA 98447. There will be a Q/A session after the show.