Norwood Native Wins College Emmy Award

A Norwood resident has an Emmy to add to their trophy case.

Norwood native and Savannah College of Art and Design graduate Matt Nickley, along with producer Shasta Ford, won picked up an Emmy for Best Scripted Student Series for their show “The Buzz,” at the 38th College Television Awards.

Nickley is the show's writer and received the award last month.

“The production level of “The Buzz” far exceeds other student productions. The use of a multicamera format with a live studio audience takes the program and experience the students receive to another plane,” D.W. Moffett, chair of the film and television program at SCAD, said in a release. “It’s thrilling to see the students at SCAD advance their professional skills through the program and even more exciting to see them recognized for it.”

The university introduced the “The Buzz” in 2016 to thoroughly prepare students for their professional lives by allowing them to run the entire show. Over 85 students, representing six academic departments, are cast members, scriptwriters, set designers, producers, crew and more to create the broadcast-ready production with professionals mentoring students throughout the process. The show is one of the only multi-camera comedy series produced on a college campus.

SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace said of the win: “I am delighted that our students have taken on this unique production with enthusiasm and are being honored for it! We have immersed the students into a real-world setting, preparing them for what they will actually experience on future production sets, something unheard of in the academic world. With access to respected mentors and incredible opportunities to participate in the film & television industry before graduating, SCAD is simply the best place for students to excel. We couldn’t be more excited for our students and this prestigious recognition!”

SCAD continues to be a leader in the film and television industry with the nation’s only university casting office, which actively places students in lead roles on screen and stage. Annual SCAD signature events, including the Savannah Film Festival and SCAD aTVfest, are must-see stops along the entertainment industry’s awards and promotional circuits, and world-class, professional production facilities in Savannah and Atlanta allow students to participate in projects at the heart of Georgia’s $6 billion-per-year film and television industry.

“The Buzz” will resume production in the fall 2017 quarter in front of a live studio audience. The new season will feature a revamped storyline, brand-new set and several additions to the cast.

Information from a news release was used in this article.

Image via Emmy Awards