Lights, camera, action! Words to live by for the local filmmakers at Emmy-nominated Award Productions Inc. in Billerica. Award Productions is a full-service media company whose work goes well beyond local. Its team has traveled around the world and shares a passion for creativity, whether filming an in-depth documentary, a television series, corporate videos or even a TV-style personal biography.
Director of Production Al Ward founded the company 20 years ago. His broad range of work includes shadowing underdog presidential candidates across the country for a PBS documentary called “Crashing The Parties 2004” and digging deep into the subculture of cheerleaders in Burlington, Mass., for “Blood, Sweat & Cheers.” Tapping into the unexpected is a signature quality of Award Productions. “We like to find that one, little thing that you wouldn’t normally pick up on,” Ward says, “and then explore that area.”
Projects at Award Productions originate in various places. Some are personally inspired, like “Hell Drivers: America’s Original Crash Test Dummies,” the brainchild of Senior Production Manager Peter Koziell. Others are commissioned by clients with a passion for the topic and a strong desire to share their story. ”Beyond Kitty Hawk: New England’s Pioneers of Flight” is a prime example. Award Productions was approached by pilot and aviation enthusiast Joseph White, who wanted to tell the untold stories of six New England aviation heroes. Charles “Chip” Collins of Westford is one of those heroes. The company was given full creative license to produce White’s vision. “That’s what we do,” explains Darren Garnick, director of creative development. “If someone is really passionate about their hobby or business, we help shape their vision into something visual.”
Legendary USAF test pilot Chip Collins (left), of Westford, was one of six aviation heroes profiled in the Emmy-nominated documentary, "Beyond Kitty Hawk." Photos courtesy Award Productions, Inc.
“Beyond Kitty Hawk” aired on WGBH and other PBS affiliates and was nominated for a regional Emmy for Best Documentary.
Each of Award Productions’ projects is unique, yet the process is generally the same. To tell a complete story, archival material must be collected first. This might include photos, home movies, letters and documents. Interviews are then conducted to fully understand the intent of the person making the film. Main and supporting characters are subsequently defined, and important milestones and emotional connections are identified. After many hours of filming, rough cuts of footage are shown to clients or focus groups in order to determine what might be missing. If laughter is expected but, as Koziell puts it, “We hear crickets,” changes are made. Postproduction with final edits rounds out the process. This time-consuming step is a decidedly collaborative effort to ensure the best possible result.
Unlike big Hollywood production companies, the individuals at Award Productions wear many hats. Typically, a crew is staffed with one cameraman, one sound technician and one field producer when shooting, so members will jump in wherever needed to capture the desired shot.
Award Productions recently has been called on to film for TV shows “The Biggest Loser” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” and continues to follow the development of the company Terrafugia, an MIT-supported start-up that is creating “The Flying Car.” Learn more about Award Productions, it projects and the films mentioned in this column at www.AwardProductions.com.
Valleywood – Award Productions, Inc.
Director of Production Al Ward founded the company 20 years ago. His broad range of work includes shadowing underdog presidential candidates across the country for a PBS documentary called “Crashing The Parties 2004” and digging deep into the subculture of cheerleaders in Burlington, Mass., for “Blood, Sweat & Cheers.” Tapping into the unexpected is a signature quality of Award Productions. “We like to find that one, little thing that you wouldn’t normally pick up on,” Ward says, “and then explore that area.”
Projects at Award Productions originate in various places. Some are personally inspired, like “Hell Drivers: America’s Original Crash Test Dummies,” the brainchild of Senior Production Manager Peter Koziell. Others are commissioned by clients with a passion for the topic and a strong desire to share their story. ”Beyond Kitty Hawk: New England’s Pioneers of Flight” is a prime example. Award Productions was approached by pilot and aviation enthusiast Joseph White, who wanted to tell the untold stories of six New England aviation heroes. Charles “Chip” Collins of Westford is one of those heroes. The company was given full creative license to produce White’s vision. “That’s what we do,” explains Darren Garnick, director of creative development. “If someone is really passionate about their hobby or business, we help shape their vision into something visual.”
Legendary USAF test pilot Chip Collins (left), of Westford, was one of six aviation heroes profiled in the Emmy-nominated documentary, "Beyond Kitty Hawk." Photos courtesy Award Productions, Inc.
“Beyond Kitty Hawk” aired on WGBH and other PBS affiliates and was nominated for a regional Emmy for Best Documentary.
Each of Award Productions’ projects is unique, yet the process is generally the same. To tell a complete story, archival material must be collected first. This might include photos, home movies, letters and documents. Interviews are then conducted to fully understand the intent of the person making the film. Main and supporting characters are subsequently defined, and important milestones and emotional connections are identified. After many hours of filming, rough cuts of footage are shown to clients or focus groups in order to determine what might be missing. If laughter is expected but, as Koziell puts it, “We hear crickets,” changes are made. Postproduction with final edits rounds out the process. This time-consuming step is a decidedly collaborative effort to ensure the best possible result.
Unlike big Hollywood production companies, the individuals at Award Productions wear many hats. Typically, a crew is staffed with one cameraman, one sound technician and one field producer when shooting, so members will jump in wherever needed to capture the desired shot.
Award Productions recently has been called on to film for TV shows “The Biggest Loser” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” and continues to follow the development of the company Terrafugia, an MIT-supported start-up that is creating “The Flying Car.” Learn more about Award Productions, it projects and the films mentioned in this column at www.AwardProductions.com.