from staff
So, how can PRC Digital Media follow up beating out the “CBS Evening News” to win a prestigious award for its first documentary on pollution in the St. Johns River?
Well, a few Emmy awards for its second river documentary couldn’t hurt.
The Riverside company’s TV production, “Revenge of the River,” is nominated for two Suncoast Emmy Awards in the categories of “Topical Documentary” and “Program Editor”, for editing work by Jay Pennington. Ch. 12/25 and Ch. 4 are also among Jacksonville nominees.
The Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is a non-profit corporation that awards annual Emmys for television markets in the entire state of Florida, cities of Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles and New Orleans in Louisiana, Mobile, Ala., Thomasville, Ga. and Puerto Rico.
The 2007 Suncoast Emmy Awards will take place Dec. 1 at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee.
This isn’t the first time PRC producers Ray Hays and Bill Retherford have been recognized for their work. In fact, it’s the second time in less than two months.
In September, PRC’s TV documentary, “The Green Monster: It Came From the River,” won for “Outstanding In-Depth Television Reporting.” The video was sponsored by the St. Johns Riverkeeper and chronicled a large algae bloom in the summer of 2005.
The follow-up, “Revenge of the River,” was an update on what has taken place since the algae bloom, specifically the threat of draining the St. Johns for potable water - a now imminent threat posed by Central Florida development.
“At the time, I think we were somewhat naïve of how fast that issue was coming,” said Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon. “Now looking back on it, I’m proud we were able to look into the future and spot a very significant problem.”
But PRC’s program isn’t the only potential Emmy winner. Ch. 4 morning anchor Bruce Hamilton is nominated for “On Camera Talent - Reporter Features/Human Interest.”
Ch. 12/25 is in the running for nine awards, including: “Health/Science/Environment - News”; “Historic/Cultural - News”; “Human Interest - News”; “Societal Concerns - News”; “Team Coverage”; “Breaking News/Continuing Coverage”; “Photographer - News”; “Editor - News”; and “Writer - News.”