Latest News about OPB
OPB Wins Three Telly Awards for Oregon Field Guide Special
OPB News Selected to Interview His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
OPB Opens its Doors May 11 for Annual Celebration
OPB Honors its Top Volunteers for Service and Leadership
OPB Receives 19 Northwest Regional Emmy Nominations
OPB Wins Three Telly Awards for Oregon Field Guide Special
Oregon Public Broadcasting announced today that is has been named a winner in the 34th Annual Telly Awards for the Oregon Field Guide special “The White Salmon River Runs Free: Breaching the Condit Dam.” OPB was among 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries competing for awards.
The program was selected for two Silver Telly awards, the highest honor, in the categories of “TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces – Documentary” and “TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces - Videography/Cinematography.” It was also selected as for a Bronze Telly award for “TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces - Nature/Wildlife.”
Oregon Field Guide is OPB’s longest-running original production, entering its 25th season this fall. Each week, the show brings viewers fascinating, in-depth stories about outdoor recreation, ecological issues, natural resources and travel destinations across the region.
“The White Salmon River Runs Free: Breaching the Condit Dam” special documents the 2012 removal of the 100 foot-tall Condit Dam on the White Salmon River in southeast Washington—the largest dam in the world ever removed. The culmination of a multi-year time-lapse documentation effort, Oregon Field Guide filmed the dramatic explosive breach of the dam and underwater salmon habitat. The crew working on the special includes:
- Producer & Director of Photography – Andy Maser
- Editor – Nick Fisher
- Associate Producer – Hayden Peters
- Additional Video – Michael Bendixen, Hayden Peters, Nick Fisher, Todd Sonflieth, Brian Lippy, Andy Johnson-Laird, Sylvain Chancel
The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.
A prestigious judging panel of more than 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council, judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents.
To find out more about the Telly Awards visit www.tellyawards.com.
To watch the Oregon Field Guide program “The White Salmon River Runs Free: Breaching the Condit Dam,” visit http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1859?q=white+salmon+river.
Follow Oregon Field Guide on Facebook: www.facebook.com/oregonfieldguide.
OPB News Selected to Interview His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama - “Think Out Loud” Host David Miller to Moderate May 11 Discussion at Memorial Coliseum
David Miller, host of the daily OPB Radio program Think Out Loud, will interview His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso on Saturday, May 11 at 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Coliseum to discuss his views on the environment. The event is one of many taking place as part of the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit May 9-11 at various locations in Portland.
Miller will lead a panel discussion entitled "Universal Responsibility and the Global Environment", in which he will speak with the Dalai Lama about the biggest environmental issues facing our planet. Topics include the impact of globalization, the spirituality of environmentalism, and how people can turn environmental concerns into action.
“To be selected to interview the Dalai Lama is not only a great honor for us, but it is also a testament to our strength as a news organization.” said Sarah Jane Rothenfluch, executive producer of OPB’s Think Out Loud. “Our audience looks to OPB for trusted, balanced and intelligent conversations on issues that matter to our region. To interview such a distinguished leader in this forum furthers our ability to bring forth more meaningful dialogue.”
Joining the Dalai Lama for the panel discussion will be:
- John Kitzhaber, Governor of Oregon
- David Suzuki, Scientist, broadcaster, author, and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation
- Andrea Durbin, Executive director of the Oregon Environmental Council
OPB Radio will also broadcast the discussion to its listeners on Tuesday, May 14 at noon.
The public is encouraged to post questions for the Dalai Lama on the Think Out Loud program page at http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/shows/dalai-lama-visits-oregon/. Updates on the interview and panel discussion will also be posted on Twitter with the hashtag #dalailamapdx.
For more information about the event, please visit http://www.dalailamaportland2013.net/.
OPB Opens its Doors May 11 for Annual Celebration
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) will open its doors to the community on Saturday, May 11th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for its annual Open House celebration. The day’s festivities will include refreshments, OPB personalities, prizes and more.
The OPB open house will take place at OPB headquarters located at 7140 SW Macadam Avenue in Portland. The event will feature activities for the entire family. Guests will have the opportunity to:
- Meet favorite OPB TV and radio personalities.
- Take photos with Clifford the Big Red Dog(R). Be sure to bring a camera!
- Get a behind-the-scenes look at OPB with a tour of the studios.
- Spin the prize wheel to win a variety of great items.
- Enjoy Hawaiian music and hula dancing as Oregon Art Beat tapes the Ka Lei Hali'a O Ka Lokelani Hula School dancers accompanied by 2012 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Male Vocalist of Year, Kuana Torres Kahele.
- Get creative with crafts for kids.
For more information about the OPB open house, please visit http://www.opb.org/openhouse.
OPB Honors its Top Volunteers for Service and Leadership
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) honored its volunteers during a 2013 Volunteer Recognition event at OPB on April 18. Among those recognized were two recipients of The Jan Henderson Volunteer of the Year Award—in the areas of Service and Leadership.
Receiving the Service Award was Sharon Puterbaugh, a volunteer working in corporate support, on membership drives and events. She has been donating her time and talents to OPB since 2005, giving more than 220 hours.
This year’s Leadership Award recipient, Lee Anne Barham, has been volunteering with OPB since 2012 and has contributed more than 300 hours of service in that time. Barham works on the "Our Town" series for the OPB Radio program Think Out Loud.
The Jan Henderson Volunteer of the Year Award was created in honor of its namesake, Jan Henderson, a committed OPB volunteer who left her mark on OPB for future decades of volunteers. The award recognizes those who commit to OPB’s mission and go above and beyond expectations every day of volunteer service.
"Volunteers support OPB in many ways and we are grateful for the work they do for us," said Jennifer Brown, manager of volunteer resources at OPB. "From answering phones for membership drives to providing office support, assisting with events and more, they make a tremendous difference for our organization every day."
In addition to the Leadership and Service awards, OPB volunteers were also honored for their number of years of service to OPB. This included Carl Nielsen, Brenda Ray Scott and Colleen Watkins, who have been volunteers for 20 years.
Following on the heels of OPB’s volunteer service awards is National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 22-26. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week focuses national attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of civic leadership. The week draws the support and endorsement of the president and Congress, governors, mayors and municipal leaders, as well as corporate and community groups across the country.
OPB Receives 19 Northwest Regional Emmy Nominations
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) today announced that it has been nominated for 19 Northwest Regional Emmy Awards from the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
As part of the 50th Annual Regional Emmy Awards, several of OPB’s executive producers, producers, videographers, writers, editors and reporters across the organization are being recognized for their work in a variety of categories—ranging from historical/cultural segments to documentaries, writing, producing and arts & entertainment features.
Each of OPB’s original productions were represented as 2013 nominees, including Oregon Field Guide, one of the most-watched local productions in the public broadcasting system, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this fall. Segments from Oregon Art Beat, entering its 15th season this fall and documentary series Oregon Experience also received nominations. In addition to TV programming, OPB’s online Arts & Life content was also nominated for a Northwest Emmy.
“It’s an honor to see both individual OPB staff members and programs nominated once again for Emmy awards,” said Steve Bass, OPB president and CEO. “Our audiences across the region rely on us to present in-depth, thoughtful and trusted stories on a range of topics that matter to them where they live. We’re proud to tell these diverse stories and our commitment to doing so is stronger than ever.”
OPB’s EarthFix partner stations are also recognized for their work with seven Emmy nominations. EarthFix is a public media project of OPB, Boise State Public Radio, Idaho Public Television, KCTS 9 Seattle, KUOW Public Radio, Northwest Public Radio and Television, and Southern Oregon Public Television.
The following OPB programs and staff have received nominations for the 50th Annual Regional Emmy awards:
Oregon Art Beat
- Arts/Entertainment - Feature/Segment: Mona Superhero (Tom Shrider, Senior Videographer/Editor; Katrina Sarson, Producer)
- Arts/Entertainment - Feature/Segment: Eunice Parsons (Katrina Sarson, Producer; Tom Shrider, Senior Videographer/Editor)
- Photographer - Video Essay: Kasia Bilhartz, Fire Artist (Tom Shrider)
- Historic/Cultural - Feature/Segment: Wang Gongyi (Jule Gilfillan, Producer; Greg Bond, Senior Videographer/Editor)
Oregon Experience
- Documentary – Cultural: Rajneeshpuram (Nadine Jelsing, Producer/Writer; Eric Cain, Producer/Writer; Lisa Suinn Kallem, Editor)
- Documentary – Topical: Oregon Wine: Grapes of Place (Nadine Jelsing, Producer/Writer; Lisa Suinn Kallem, Editor)
- Historic/Cultural - Program/Special: The Suffragists (Kami Horton, Writer/Producer)
- Writer – Program: Oregon Wine: Grapes of Place (Nadine Jelsing)
Oregon Field Guide
- Historic/Cultural - Feature/Segment: Cattle Drives (Vince Patton, Reporter)
- Health/Science – Segment: Pine Butterflies (Vince Patton, Reporter)
- Informational/Instructional - Feature/Segment: Ice Diving (Vince Patton, Reporter; Michael Bendixen, Videographer/Editor; Nick Fisher, Videographer)
- Informational/Instructional - Feature/Segment: Time-lapse Photography (Jule Gilfillan, Producer; Michael Bendixen, Videographer/Editor)
- Public/Current/Community Affairs - Feature/Segment: Condors & Lead Bullets (Vince Patton, Reporter)
- Documentary – Historical: Mt Hood: Climbing Oregon's Highest Peak (Jule Gilfillan, Producer; Todd Sonflieth, Photographer/Editor; Michael Bendixen, Videographer)
- Director - Post Production: Mt Hood: Climbing Oregon's Highest Peak (Jule Gilfillan)
- Informational/Instructional - Program/Special: Oregon Field Guide (Steve Amen, Executive Producer/Host; Jule Gilfillan, Producer; Vince Patton, Producer/Reporter)
- Photographer – Program: Treeverse (Michael Bendixen)
- Photographer – Program: Todd Sonflieth - Composite (Todd Sonflieth)
OPB Arts & Life Online Content
- Human Interest - Feature/Segment: Portland Women's Rowing Crew Team Competes for Love of the Sport (Ifanyi Bell, Digital Producer)
The annual Northwest Regional Emmy Awards Competition recognizes outstanding achievements in television and allied media. It is presented for excellence in programming and individual craft achievement in television and media arts.
The Northwest Chapter of NATAS accepts entries from 19 different Designated Market Areas (DMAs) in Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. All entries must have been produced to broadcast, cablecast or designed for broadband distribution or portable delivery within the Northwest Region in 2012.
Winners will be announced at the NATAS Northwest Regional Emmy Awards on June 15, 2013 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.
OPB News Presents “Gun Stories” Radio Series
Airs Mornings of April 8-12 on the stations of OPB Radio; Special Documentary Airs April 10 at 6 p.m.
OPB will air a series of special reports on OPB Radio from April 8-12 called “Gun Stories.” It features personal accounts of individuals in the Pacific Northwest and their experiences with firearms—as gun owners and users, sellers, law enforcement, and as victims of gun violence.
The radio series comes on the heels of ongoing, in-depth radio and online reporting from OPB News on guns and gun control following the December 2012 shootings in Newtown, Conn. and Clackamas, Ore. “Gun Stories” looks at how our experience with guns shapes our views.
The series also furthers OPB’s commitment to providing in-depth public service journalism that illuminates how people in the Pacific Northwest are affected by broad policy issues.
“There are a number of gun cultures in our community. These are the stories of those who have very different experiences with guns,” said Eve Epstein, managing editor, OPB News. "These stories tell us why the debate on guns is so heated. But they also offer a more nuanced view of that debate, and an opportunity to ask deep questions about gun ownership, regulation and use."
“Gun Stories” will air April 8-12 on the stations of OPB Radio, with one story featured each day at 6:50 and 8:50 a.m. during Morning Edition. Individuals featured in the daily stories include gun dealers, gun owners, those convicted of gun crimes, police, and victims of gun violence.
"Gun Stories" special coverage will also include a half-hour documentary, which will air at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, also on the stations of OPB Radio. It includes stories about how gun store owners perform background checks, how one man convicted of criminal activity purchased his guns, how guns inform police work, and how those touched by violence in the past view gun ownership now.
In conjunction with the “Gun Stories” special reports, the following related activities are planned for the week:
- On Monday, April 8 at noon, OPB’s daily radio show Think Out Loud will discuss the topic of suicides committed as a result of firearms, and what can be done to help prevent them. Over the last several months, Think Out Loud has hosted a variety of discussions on the topic of guns and the gun control debate.
- On Thursday, April 11, the national morning news program The Takeaway will broadcast a special program focused on gun stories live from the OPB studios. Time for the program is to be announced.
The community is invited to participate in The Takeaway conversation via a live twitter discussion using the hashtag #GunStories. - OPB News is hosting a “Gun Stories” Tumblr page, which includes additional personal stories and content about guns. The public is invited to submit stories via photo, video, text message or audio, which will be added to the “Gun Stories” Tumblr.
- Throughout the week, OPB will post updates on “Gun Stories” coverage at the OPB News Twitter account and the public is encouraged to join the discussion using the hashtag #GunStories.
For more information about the OPB News series “Gun Stories,” please visit www.opb.org/gunstories.
