Two Rowan documentary films win national CBI awards
November 09, 2009Two Rowan University College of Communication film documentaries won first-place honors in the national College Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI) awards, which recognize the nation's top radio, television, webcasting and other media ventures produced by students.
The winners were announced at the national CBI convention held recently at the 88th annual National College Media Convention at the University of Texas at Austin.
In the film competition, "Generation RX," a hard-hitting look into prescription drug addiction, was awarded the "Best Documentary" prize, while "Life Behind Beards," a humorous look at a the sub-culture of men with facial hair, won the "Best Special Broadcast" category.
Both films were produced in Radio/Television/Film (RTF) Professor Diana Nicolae's documentary production class.
"Generation RX" was completed in 2008 and appeared on RTN/Channel 5. The film was produced by 2008 RTF alumni. They included: Melissa Stankowski of Tuckerton and Harry Fleckenstein of Clementon (producers); Tim Hill of Pitman (editor); Steve Klink, also of Pitman (director); Mike Gorczynski of Medford (camera) and Anthony Mennie of Spring Lake Heights (camera).
The film was produced in cooperation with Rowan's Center for Addiction Studies and Awareness and has been distributed to 54 colleges and some high schools throughout New Jersey.
"Life Behind Beards" was produced in the spring for Nicolae's course and was recently honored and screened at the Downbeach Film Festival in Atlantic City.
Rowan 2009 RTF graduates Steve Hanulec of Woodstown (producer), Dave Monk of Oakland (editor), and Dan Ferrara of Old Tappan (director) worked on the film, as did junior RTF major Ashley Zazzarino (camera) of Middletown.
More than 1,400 college television and radio stations are members of CBI. This year's competition included over 400 entries.
Since 2000, Rowan documentary films have won over 100 regional and national awards, including six CINE Golden Eagle Awards, four Gracie Awards, three other first-place CBI Awards, and many national awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
