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Alt.news wins international award

azimmermann@dailyegyptian.com

Alt.news 26:46 has added a first-place finish in an international competition to its prestigious repertoire of 11 Emmys and a slew of other awards.

Its half-hour December segment caught the eyes of the judges at the Chicago International Television Awards. During spring break, the award-winning program received a gold plaque in the "Student-Produced" category, which had hundreds of entries.

Jon Hayes, a sophomore in radio and television and co-executive producer of alt.news, said the festival ranged from commercials to network television to documentaries. Hayes said the gold plaque was the highest award in the competition, which was judged by the number of points given to each entry.

The winning segment featured cows that live six years longer by being fed through their stomachs, a day in the life of a beer can, motivational speaker John Foppe, who is a double-amptutee, a music segment by band Rusted Root, a humor section about people who teach their dogs tricks and a student opinion section on Arnold Schwarzenegger becoming governor of California.

"It was all about throwing in a little bit of science, a little bit of something to make you cry and something to make you laugh," said Whit Vogel, the other co-executive producer.

Vogel, a senior in cinema and photography, said a distinguishing feature about the segment was the thought and consideration that went into the transitions. Everything is one fluid motion from the minute the audience is introduced to the host to the end, where the credits roll across the screen, the Belleville native said.

"This is one of the first times that from start to finish that everything was thought through very concisely," she said.

The creation of alt.news began in 1997 as a short 5-minute spot on River Region Evening Edition, SIUC's student-run television news program. When a half-hour segment became available on WSIU, students Michael Cioni and Ian Vertovec grabbed the chance to expand. After its pilot episode garnered an Emmy, alt.news made the decision to change everything to digital. Since the initial Emmy win in 1999, the program has collected ten more Emmys.

After a surprising loss at last year's Emmys, adviser Jan Thompson suggested they enter the festival in Chicago. The festival was different for them because it was strictly for the television industry, and it is international.

"When you get comfortable, it is good to change and break into a new ground," Vogel said.

On average, there are 15 to 20 volunteers for each episode and students from any major are welcome, Vogel said

"From concept to completion, the show is done by students 100 percent," she said. "Every pixel of the screen is compiled by students."

Vogel is a senior and has been working with alt.news for four years. She said being a part of the program has helped her secure many advantageous skills like a strong work ethic, public-speaking skills and also many contacts to help start her career.

"It's never too late to get involved," she said. "Your degree is only one line of your résumé. The awards are just a bonus. The experience is more important."