Documentary on Gordon Parks wins award

The Media Resources Center at Wichita State University has won a national Telly Award for its work. The 2011 Bronze Telly Award goes to MRC’s Video Services for the documentary “Roots and Branches: Preserving the Legacy of Gordon Parks.”

“Roots and Branches” explains how Wichita State became the home of the Gordon Parks Collection and details its efforts to preserve Parks' legacy. The documentary premiered at a campus event in March and also aired on WSU-TV, Channel 13 on Cox Cable.

In her letter notifying the university, Telly Award executive director Linda Day congratulated Video Services for being honored by the 32nd annual Telly Awards. The bronze award is topped only by the Telly Silver Award.

“This is a tremendous honor,” said Day.

Greg Matthias, manager, Video Services, credited the MRC staff who worked on the documentary: Ryan Unruh, the producer, editor and videographer who directed and edited the program; Rik Dubiel, producer, editor and videographer; and Corin Brena, who worked as a contract producer on the piece.

Wichita State vice president and general counsel Ted Ayres, whose leadership helped the university gain the honor of protecting Gordon Parks’ papers in University Libraries Special Collections archives, was highly involved in the production of the program.

“Ted offered us guidance on the history and the process of WSU being awarded the Parks papers,” said Matthias, “and he provided immeasurable insight into the life and works of Mr. Parks.”

Matthias also credits Ablah Library’s Special Collections with providing valuable information and artifacts from the Gordon Parks Papers collection.

“Lorraine Madway, Mary Nelson and Josh Yearout, who has since passed away, gave us many hours of their time and expertise,” Matthias said.

Previously, the MRC won a bronze finalist award for "Beyond the Word," a documentary about WSU dance students and faculty making a summer 2000 trip to Poland to participate in a mime festival, and the Silver Telly Award for a 30-second “Thinker, Doers, Movers and Shockers” advertising spot that aired in 2000.

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and Web commercials, videos 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.