University of Arkansas Faculty and Students Nominated for Mid-America Emmys

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Faculty members and students from the University of Arkansas have been nominated for Mid-America Emmys from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The documentary film, Bridge to War Eagle, has received nominations in four categories, including:

• Cultural Documentary: Larry Foley & Dale Carpenter
• Writer/Program: Larry Foley
• Editor/Program: Dale Carpenter
• Musical Score/Arrangement: James Greeson and Dale Carpenter.

Larry Foley, a professor in the Walter J. Lemke department of journalism, assembled an eager and creative team to create a film that is framed around the old steel bridge and iconic grist mill on War Eagle Creek in the Ozark Hills. The documentary is a 30-minute film about a wild stream, protected only by the folks who use it, and illustrated by the stories of those who love it.

Foley, the writer and producer of the film, worked alongside an impressive group of faculty members from the J. William College of Arts and Sciences. Carpenter is chair of the journalism department; Greeson, a professor of music, composed an original musical score for the film; and Tom Hapgood, an assistant professor of art, created the graphics and animation. Trey Marley of the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Oral and Visual History was the aerial photographer. Carpenter and Greeson have worked together enough to where Greeson gave Carpenter his first opportunity at song writing; Carpenter wrote the song for the closing credits. The film is narrated by country singer Joe Nichols of Rogers.

The idea for the film arose from the importance of keeping this unprotected stream clean for the inhabitants that use it; the creek eventually spills into Beaver Lake which is the water supply for Northwest Arkansas. Foley noted that “viewers will be taken to this recognizable postcard image of Arkansas and therefore will be automatically drawn to what the film represents;” because this stream will never be protected it is up to us to take care of it. Foley and Carpenter both hope that viewers truly enjoy the film, as well as become aware of the issue.

The personal profiles in Bridge to War Eagle include Texas wildlife biologist Rufus Stephens, who’s been coming to the area to stay in his family’s cabin all his life; Robert Swain who is the winner of a War Eagle Steward Award for his efforts to conserve and protect the creek; and retired school teacher Ron Duncan, an Arkansas Game & Fish commissioner. Each of these people holds a unique relationship with the creek.

Carpenter and Foley have worked together on many projects. Carpenter said, “Working together is like second nature, it is automatic. The filming was very laid back, and it was relaxing to spend time on the river.”

“These nominations are an honor to the University of Arkansas, and it is an honor to have worked with such a talented team,” Foley said. “To know that people think the movie is great is quite a thrill.”

“The Emmy awards are judged by your professional peers, and if your work is nominated as a finalist, then you know that it meets a certain standard of quality, and that is a real honor,” Carpenter said.

The film recently aired on AETN and UATV. The film was released to the University of Arkansas Press, and DVDs are also available for purchase.

Journalism instructor Hayot Tuchiev is also nominated for an Emmy in the religious program category for his master’s thesis film, Temple of Peace.

Master’s graduate Jesse Abdenour, now on faculty at Arkansas State University, received notification that he is winner of a student Emmy for his thesis film Therapeutic Justice: Life Inside Drug Court.

The Emmys will be presented at 35th Annual Mid America Emmy Gala on Oct. 22 at St. Louis Renaissance Grand Hotel. All University of Arkansas nominees are hoping to attend the event.