Culpeper’s local government access television station, Culpeper Media Network, has won their first Silver Telly Award for their video “Camp Fantastic: Virtual Farm Day”. The Telly Awards, which recognizes excellence in numerous cable and television categories since 1979, is globally renowned across the television industry. Winners are judged by over 200 industry professionals in the world of local, national, and online video.
Culpeper Media Network took home the Silver Award for General Children’s Television. This is the 13th Telly Award in the local television station’s history, and their highest accolade yet. Their program, “Camp Fantastic: Virtual Farm Day”, was selected amongst numerous global entrants. Other distinguished Silver Winners in this category include the Walt Disney Company (Europe & Africa) and Sesame Workshop.
The winning video centers on Camp Fantastic’s Special Love. The annual Culpeper event is a Farm Day held for children currently battling cancer. In 2020, due to the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually. The challenge of pulling off an unprecedented virtual production fell on the shoulders of Culpeper Media Network’s Station Manager, Jonathan Krawchuk, and Technical Director, Nicolle Wootten.
Jonathan Krawchuk, Culpeper Media Network Station Manager, said this of the success. “Working with Special Love has always been close to our hearts. When the understandable cancellation came, we knew we had to do our best to bring the farm to the kids. Garnering recognition for a passion of ours brings elation. Having the children enjoy it warms my heart.”
Nicolle Wootten, Technical Director, stated, “I am so thrilled we were able to help provide the virtual event for such an amazing organization. Camp Fantastic does astounding work for children in the Culpeper community, and winning this award is just an incredible bonus on top of providing the children with some sense of normalcy during what was such an unpredictable time.”
Over the span of two weeks, Culpeper Media Network traveled to five local farms across Culpeper County to capture the Farm Day experience for the children. After filming, the Culpeper Media Network duo had just under a week to finalize the program before airing. Despite this tight deadline, Culpeper Media Network worked hard to provide virtual Campers with the best day possible.
Campers were greeted with cows, goats, chickens, roosters, hogs, baby pigs, peacocks, and more. They were also taken on a virtual “ride” on the Culpeper Town Police Department’s Police Polaris vehicle across Rockwater Park. Most importantly to a lot of Campers, they had the opportunity to continue the tradition of naming the iconic Ground Rush baby goats. All the baby goats were shown, along with a Google Form Campers could fill out with desired names. The video also featured well wishes and greetings from many familiar figures in the Culpeper community, including Culpeper’s former Mayor, Michael T. Olinger, and members of the Culpeper Rotary Club.
The Silver Award winning video can be viewed on the Culpeper Media Network website, culpepermedia.org. Once on the website, click “OnDemand” in the top menu bar, and then search “fantastic”.
Original source can be found here.
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