(Atlanta, Ga. – June 21, 2017)
Two Television Production Technology graduates from Chattahoochee Technical College brought home top awards from the Student Production Awards, presented by the Southeast Emmys, and held Saturday, June 17 at SCADShow in Atlanta.
Nina Marinov of Cobb County won the Light News category in the area of General Assignment for her production “Skydive!,” while Katherine Hollyday of Clayton County won three awards — the College Director award, Editing, Long Form Non-Fiction and received Honorable Mention in the category of College Photographer for “A History of Habitat.” In addition, graduate Alegria Ongay of Cobb County received Honorable Mention in the category of College Director for her work “Jude.”
Instructor Ian Feinberg said he was proud of these students for their accomplishments and that their awards are a reflection of the education they received at Chattahoochee Tech.
“These students show we are providing real-world training that prepares our students how to tell stories in a compelling way,” Feinberg said. “Our students have not only won awards on the state level, but on a regional and national level, including two Broadcast Education Best of Festival awards and two national SkillsUSA gold medals.”
Hollyday’s “A History of Habitat” features her interviewing Habitat for Humanity founder Chrys Street, in celebration of the organization’s 30th anniversary.
“They gave us an old photo album to get pictures to use in the piece, and it seemed to me to be a natural focal point,” Hollyday said. “I felt that creating a virtual photo album to use as a vehicle to drive the piece seemed like a perfect solution to help illustrate their story.”
Hollyday, who said she was a stay-at-home mother for years, came to Chattahoochee Tech to acquire new skills and reenter the workforce after her husband had lost his job. She decided to apply for the Pell Grant along with her son, who was applying for financial aid at the time.
“It turned out that I qualified for the Pell Grant, and that it would cover the entire cost for the TVPT program,” Hollyday said. “I have since graduated from the TVPT program, and am currently pursuing a second degree at Chattahoochee Tech in the Design and Media Production Technology program.”
Following the completion of her second degree, Hollyday said she plans to utilize the skills learned in both of her programs of study to work in a broad and growing field.
“I would like to pursue a career in some form of media — ideally doing something that combines video production, post production, motion graphics and 3D graphics,” Hollyday said. “However, I’m not exactly sure where yet. There are so many exciting, up-and-coming video and graphics technologies, so it seems there are a variety of possibilities now.
“But whatever I end up doing,” Hollyday added, “I would like it to have meaning and be able to make a positive difference in the world.”
Marinov said she wanted her film, “Skydive!,” to reflect a strong female — a skydiver named Leslie Thomas, who has inspired many young women and girls.
“Women like Leslie show young girls that they can do whatever they want to do, regardless of their gender,” Marinov said. “I have a 6-year-old daughter and I want her to see these examples and grow up with confidence that she is capable of everything. So that was somewhat of a personal story too.”
Graduating from the program the previous year, Marinov now serves as a freelance producer, editor and director.
“I do what I love and am forever grateful to my instructors, Mr. Feinberg and Mr. [James] Townley, for their support and all the knowledge they gave me during my years in the school — I literally use it every single day now,” Marinov said.
She said her experience working in the program provided her with the skills necessary to do what she loves for a living, also saying she made the “right choice” by coming to CTC.
“We have access to great equipment, a full control room, the newest professional software and support from the best professionals,” Marinov said. “Also, the program provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field, so when you graduate you don’t just have a diploma, you know what you’re doing. Our instructors teach us not just technical aspects of the profession, but work ethics — which are as important, if not more, as technical skills.”
As a tradition of excellence surrounds the Television Production Technology program, Marinov had a message for anyone who chooses to pursue the program:
“I hope current and future students will keep up with the great reputation Chatt Tech graduates gained and keep honor in the name of our program,” Marinov said.
Graduates of the program have found jobs in a variety of aspects of the television and film industry. These include jobs at television broadcast companies such as WSB-TV, The Weather Channel, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Turner Studios and more. Some students work in film as freelance grips and/or electric technicians on feature-length films and TV shows.
