VCU-TV/HD promotional Webisodes nominated for ‘Oscars of the Internet’

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley
Division of University Relations

Virginia Commonwealth University's student-run television production operation, VCU-TV/HD, has been nominated for a prestigious Webby Award, known as the “Oscars of the Internet.”

The humorous series of webisodes the students created to promote their operation was nominated for the Best Student Online Film or Video of 2008.

Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards are the leading international awards honoring excellence on the Internet, including Web sites, interactive advertising, online film and video and mobile Web sites. The Webbys are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a 550-person judging academy whose members include Internet co-inventor Vinton Cerf, R/GA’s Chief Bob Greenberg, "Simpson's" creator Matt Groening, Arianna Huffington and Harvey Weinstein.

"The Webby … honors the outstanding Web sites that are setting the standards for the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. "VCU-TV/HD’s Webby Award nomination is a testament to the skill, ingenuity and vision of its creators."

VCUTV-HD’s nominated webisodes feature a tongue-in-cheek look behind the scenes at the production unit.

"The webisodes are designed to use humor to drive a college audience to our Web site," said VCU-TV/HD Executive Producer Dan Brazda. "The Internet is the future of visual entertainment, and we want to stay on the cutting edge."

In addition to the judges’ award, the VCU-TV/HD webisodes are also up for The Webby People’s Voice Awards. Fans can vote for their favorite online videos at http://pv.webbyawards.com through May 1.

VCU TV/HD is one of the first student-run operations in the country to produce TV programming in high-definition format. The students handle everything from preproduction through postproduction.

Its regular 30-minute programs are produced in cinéma vérité, non-narrative style, and have gone everywhere from behind-the-scenes at the VCU Medical Center's Level-1 trauma center to exploring the local music scene.

A partnership with Community Idea Stations, owned by Commonwealth Public Broadcasting, the VCU TV/HD programs air two Mondays a month on WCVW.