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WPSU-TV Earns Three Emmy Nominations

Posted by Emily Wiley on 08/17 at 02:12 PM

WPSU-TV has received three 2009 Mid-Atlantic Emmy nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The categories and WPSU nominees are as follows:

• Documentary: “Making the Blue Band,” Jeffrey A. Hughes, executive producer; Cole Cullen, producer/editor
• Education/Schools Program Feature or Segment: “Cook Like a Chef,” Joshua Dasal, producer/director
• Arts Program or Special: “Music from Penn State: Spotlight,” Jeffrey A. Hughes, producer/director

“Making the Blue Band” is a behind-the-scenes film that follows eight incoming freshmen through auditions, heartbreaking scenes of being cut and the grueling days of band camp as they pursue their goal of playing in the Penn State Blue Band in front of 107,000 Beaver Stadium fans. Since its debut in the fall of 2008, the documentary has been seen on PBS stations across Pennsylvania and on the Big Ten Network. In April 2009, it earned producers Jeff Hughes and Cole Cullen a Bronze Telly Award, a national award for television excellence. Both Hughes and Cullen are Penn State Blue Band alumni. (Visit the website for more information and to watch the trailer.)

“Cook Like a Chef” chronicles the participants and leaders of a children’s camp held every summer at Penn State. The camp’s intent is to teach 11- to 13-year-olds lifelong lessons on nutrition and fitness by instructing them how to cook for themselves and how to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. 

Taped before a live studio audience, “Music From Penn State: Spotlight” showcases a Penn State graduating senior class in an intimate “cabaret-like” performance. The project aims for high production values within a modest budget and to highlight a musical genre not often seen on broadcast television. 

The Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards, now in their 27th year, recognize excellence in programming and individual achievement in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Sept. 26 at the Philadelphia Loews Hotel.