Students in Ferris State University’s Television/Digital Media Production program
gather on Jasper Knob, near Ishpeming in Marquette County, as the production team
works to support a “Mystic Michigan” video. The students traveled to locations in
the Upper Peninsula and on Mackinac Island done in collaboration with 1994 Ferris
Journalism alumnus Mark Jager, of Hersey.
“Mystic Michigan,” a recent feature produced by Ferris State University Television and Digital Media Production students, received a first-place award for short-form documentaries from the Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts.
TDMP professor and program coordinator Glen Okonoski said this is a significant win, given the range of entries and the stature of institutions seeking recognition for learning excellence.
“Our TDMP 466 Instructional Design students rallied around telling this story and doing so exceptionally well,” Okonoski said. “The BEA competition took 1,650 entries from 82 U.S. colleges and universities, including Arizona State University, Syracuse University, Texas Christian, Central Florida and Ball State University. The award reflects well on and validates the tremendous efforts of our producers and each member of our 14-student team.”
Co-producer Mariah Vongphachanh, of Holland, now on a capstone internship with Ideology Productions in Grand Rapids, said this win boosts her resume.
“I did not know what to expect. I only knew that the video was being entered in several collegiate competitions,” Vongphachanh said. “I was totally amazed to find out that we won, with so many other entries in this festival. We were very proud of what we had accomplished as a team as we wrapped up production. To know our work is worthy of this recognition is very satisfying.”
Elizabeth Cherry, of Montague, is completing a remote internship for the Sustainable Living Guide of Austin, Texas. She said one thing that will stick with her is the commitment and level of cooperation she experienced throughout this project.
“I came to Ferris wanting to expand on my interests in video editing,” Cherry said. “The Career Technical Center in Muskegon recommended Ferris and the TDMP program. The experience of being a production leader in a documentary like this was unexpected, but I am so grateful to have been part of it. The soft skills you learn in this work will be valuable wherever I go.”
Sawyer Thiebaut-Near, of Cadillac, joined Elizabeth and Mariah as a co-producer on this documentary. The Cadillac native, now interning with Aquinas College, said being in the wilds of the Upper Peninsula made for a memorable project.
“I was a project manager for the Ishpeming segment but was also a videographer at Pictured Rocks,” Sawyer said. “It is difficult to describe this incredible opportunity that my friends and I had to capture all the natural beauty. It was an eye-opening experience learning the area’s history and hiking the incredible land formations in these landmarks and along the national lakeshore. I credit associate professor Nick Kuiper and our author and host Mark Jager for their input and leadership.”
Kuiper said the Broadcast Education Association award should speak to other students interested in video production about what happens in and is possible through the TDMP program.
“I am proud of our students’ success and the national recognition that Mystic Michigan has received,” Kuiper said. “More people will see their work and recognize TDMP and Ferris’ commitment to hands-on learning.”