Seventeen BYU students earned five nominations across three categories, standing out among more than 185 entries submitted by colleges nationwide.
BYU students continue making their mark at the Television Academy Foundation’s 45th College Television Awards, also known as the Student Emmys. Among the few awards within academia, the Student Emmys are one of the biggest and most competitive.
Seventeen BYU students earned five nominations across three categories, standing out among more than 185 entries submitted by colleges nationwide. The winners were announced at the ceremony on March 28 in Los Angeles.
BEST ANIMATION
BYU took home the gold for Best Animated Series with its film Love & Gold, produced by Jaysen Duckworth and written and directed by Connor VanDyke. The short film was edited by Makenna Buhler. The film—the largest BYU Animation has produced—tells the story of two rogues in a dungeon who fall in love while searching for a valuable treasure.
The BYU Center for Animation has been running for over 20 years and has earned 22 Student Emmys, including last year’s win for the short film Student Accomplice.
While this year’s nominated film captivates viewers with its captivating on-screen animation, the story behind the scenes is equally remarkable. The student director of Love & Gold, Connor VanDyke, is the son of BYU animation professor Craig VanDyke, who directed the first BYU animation project to receive an Emmy, Lemmings, when he was a student.
“My wife and I were at BYU when Connor was born, and I was the director of the first animation we did as part of the program. We were in the labs, doing renderings while holding him and rocking him to sleep. So, Connor’s technically been in those labs for 25 years. I think that’s the kind of story you only get at BYU,” Craig VanDyke said.
Over the course of two and a half years, Connor VanDyke led a team of about 50 people, including students in animation, music, and design. A major collaboration with BYU’s School of Music allowed the score to match the film’s intended tone and energy. Love & Gold challenged the students in many ways, from character development to creating multiple environments, down to designing the dragon, each element taking months to perfect.
Much of the film’s inspiration comes from the game Dungeons & Dragons. From the light-up step designs to the basic puzzles in the story, Connor wanted to capture some of the creative and collaborative energy of his favorite game.
“I think it really shows how hard our team worked to create an environment, a world out of almost nothing,” Connor VanDyke said. “My amazing team really put something together that people could get lost in. I think that’s the beauty of Love and Gold: it’s a self-contained world, but you can think about it for much longer and expound on it in your own way.”
BYU’s education emphasizes undergraduate learning and the collaborative effort needed to create a film. Each student involved sacrificed personal goals to contribute to the team, bringing their talent and dedication to a groundbreaking project.
Brynne Hardy, the production designer, trusted the team completely. Since beginning the project, Hardy has started working for Legendary. As the film has gained attention in the industry, several other students have gone on to animate for major companies such as Sony.
“BYU’s animation program is unique because it gives you a trial run at working on an actual job in the industry. The experience you gain from the films here directly translates to work experience. That’s one of the most valuable aspects of the program,” Hardy said.
You can watch the full version of Love & Gold below.
BEST COMMERCIAL
BYU’s AdLab students once again swept the commercial category, with three nominated videos in the running for the PSA or promo category. The winner of this category was Ink Up. Wash Out, written by Mia Shumway, directed by Kyle Gilmour, and produced by Eli Roth.
This win secures BYU AdLab’s seventh consecutive Student Emmy for commercials.
Other BYU commercials nominated in this category include:
Gap: Wear with Care, directed by Porter Christensen and written by Maren Edwards, with Jill Jackson and Taylor Slade as producers.
Never Leave Home, written by Mia Shumway as well, and directed by Carly Garrett with Abe Tullis and Jeff Yi as their producers.
BEST COMEDY SERIES
BYU Media Arts students also brought home the trophy for the Comedy Series/Chance Perdomo Legacy Scholarship. Their winning video, Thanksgiving, was produced by Ryan Jones, directed by Austin Lawrence, and written by Abigail Tolley.
"It’s been over a decade since the film program won this award. Lots of BYU students don’t know that our program even exists," Jones said. "Outside of the school, even fewer people know that BYU Film is a thing. I want people to know not only that our program exists but also that it gives you the resources to tell the stories that matter to you."
The win marks the Media Arts Program's first win in over a decade, and the award also included the inaugural Chance Perdomo Scholarship from Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television, totaling $10,000.
"Ultimately, the story is what makes this so special for me. The story is super universal; I think at some time or another, many of us have felt like we’re stuck in a rut and not becoming the person our family expected us to be. Thanksgiving is special to me because it reminds me, and hopefully others, that there’s always a way back home to loving arms, no matter the path or journey we’re on," Jones said.
