Posted on Thursday, October 19, 2006
Justin Egley, a 2006 ¾¨Ó㴫ý graduate, was nominated by New College Broadcasters Inc. to receive best Public Service Announcement (PSA) for "Your New Best Friend," which was prepared for the Humane Society as a project he completed during his senior year.
"As soon as I saw Justin's PSA I knew it had potential to get national recognition," said Bradley Weaver, instructor of broadcast communications at ¾¨Ó㴫ý. "The PSA included all the elements for good TV: sight, sound, motion, and emotion. In addition to creative and technical skills, the PSA required working with animals and children - a tough task for any producer."
"I was very surprised when my video productions professor, Brad Weaver, sent me an e-mail saying that my commercial was a finalists for the best PSA," Egley said. "I feel honored to have made the top three finalist, and thankful that ¾¨Ó㴫ý was able to teach me how to put a commercial together from start to finish."
Egley, who currently resides in Zelienople, was recently employed as a videographer by WKBN TV in Youngstown, Ohio. Previous to that appointment, he did some videography work for the New Castle News and its award-winning Website, Crunch, which is dedicated to the Lawrence County high school football area.
"My best assignment so far was shooting a press conference at the Chevy Center with Mike Tyson," said Egley. "After seeing the story, it made me feel good, knowing that I was there when it happened. I finally feel like I have started to make my way to the big time. It's just short of my dream job, which is being a videographer for the Pittsburgh Steelers' games."
Egley majored in arts technology at ¾¨Ó㴫ý.
"My broadcast decision is kind of funny actually," Egley said. "I was making the graphics for The County Line, and then volunteered to help the sports reporter. I picked up a minor in broadcast communications and eventually became the anchor of the show and had to drop the graphics. After I shot and edited my first sports package, it became clear to me that this is what I want to do. I wouldn't be the videographer that I am without the help of Mr. Weaver. He's the one who taught me about the TV side of the news, and then encouraged me to take this step in my career. I love being behind the camera and having the ability to tell a story with the video that I shoot."
The winners will be chosen at the New College Broadcasters conference Friday, Oct. 27, in St. Louis.
Contact Weaver at (724) 946-7238 or e-mail weaverbl@westminster.edu for more information.
