Nominated for 2015 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Award
Writer, Producer, Director Jennifer Champagne and WLUC TV6 Receive Regional Emmy Nomination for Public Service Announcement Featuring the Munising Fire Department
Munising Fire Department PSA on the Importance of Volunteer Firefighters.
Detroit, MI (May 20, 2015) – 20 year filmmaking veteran, Jennifer Champagne, returns to her hometown of Munising, Michigan, to film public service announcement with Munising Fire Department on the importance of volunteer firefighting and receives National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Regional Emmy nomination for efforts.
Since graduating Munising High School in 1990, Champagne has amassed well over 200 credits and many awards in the realm of game cinematics, commercials, music videos, television and films. A burn survivor herself, she felt a duty to support the team who saved her life as a teenager and to give back to the community that has continued to give generously to others in need.
“Many of my former classmates are volunteer firefighters. It’s an honor and a privilege to tell their stories and the stories of the men who saved my life many moons ago,” said Jennifer Champagne, Producer / Director. “If it weren’t for the men and women who volunteer their time to run into burning buildings when others are running out, I wouldn’t be here today getting to live my dream of making films.
Milake Pictures crew Ashley Benton (Co-Producer / Camera Operator), Chelsea Jenkins (Sound / Editor) and Christopher Merbler (Cinematographer) assisted Champagne in capturing the unfolding vignettes of the American can-do spirit within a community that celebrates town pride through its yearly Fourth of July Parade and all kinds of fundraising, not only for the fire departments, but also youth sports, fellow neighbors in need, (Relay for Life Cancer Survivor Walk, The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation to name a few examples), and for community benefits such as the recreational bike path, where the town of 2500 raised over $30K in 30 days.
“I had a really great time filming this project in Munising. The passion and love that Jennifer has for this community is evident in the quality of work that we produced,” said Chelsea Jenkins, Editor for Milake Pictures. “In return, it was clear how much the community loves her back, truly admires her and how proud they are of her accomplishments.”
The Munising Fire Department, like many volunteer programs, is an organization that supports its community by protecting and preserving, to the greatest extent possible, the lives and property of the citizens of Munising from loss or destruction by fire. Through out the year, the fire department works on fundraising dedicated to continued education, training, suicide prevention and fire prevention in Alger County.
On the 4th of July, these hometown heroes are an integral part of this little community’s all day celebration. The day begins with a parade through town including all local fire departments and many other organizations tossing candy to excited children. In the afternoon, the Department entertains the large crowd with the “Firefighter Water Fights” which ends up with the crowd getting soaked.
“Jennifer has supported our fundraisers in the past and when she suggested filming a project highlighting our department’s volunteer efforts, it was an unanimous decision,” said Chief Dan Malone, Munising Fire Department. “We’re proud of the video and awareness that it is bringing to our community.”
Champagne’s film celebrates the volunteers and reveals the community that appreciates their selflessness. By highlighting the people who willingly confront intense situations to save someone else or their property, the film ensures that their sacrifice is duly noted in the most fitting way – in an artistically and beautifully drawn reflection of their work. At the same time, Champagne fashions her own personal thank you.
“Jennifer credits the Munising Fire Department with saving her life,” said Ashley Benton, Producer for Milake Pictures. “This project has really been an opportunity for her to shine a light on them and express her gratitude for those volunteers who selflessly risk their lives every day.”
TV6 has been Upper Michigan’s Source for news, sports, and weather since 1956. In 2014, TV6 won Michigan Association of Broadcasters Awards for Station of the Year, Best Newscast, Best Weathercast, Community Involvement and Best Photojournalist. They are delighted to receive this Emmy nomination.
“It’s always an honor to be recognized for things such as this. It is all part of our news team serving the Upper Peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin the best we know how,” said Steve Asplund, News Director. “Many small towns in the Upper Peninsula have volunteer organizations like the Munising Fire Department. We salute these people who give back to their communities, as much as possible.”
Founded in 1947, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) and the Emmy Award stand for the best in the television industry. The National Academy is the only non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing outstanding achievement, raising industry standards, and improving the quality of television. Its dedication to excellence is pursued every day by members of its 19 chapters across the country.
The 37th Annual National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Awards ceremony for Michigan is June 13, 2015, at MotorCity Casino Hotel’s Sound Board Theater in Detroit. The event will be live streamed through the NATAS Michigan chapter website at www.natasmichigan.org.
Emmy Nominated Public Service Announcement.
Munising Fire Department on Volunteer Firefighting
Video: youtu.be/2pS7spAdxvo
About Jennifer Champagne.
Jennifer Champagne is a multi-award winning filmmaker with over 20 years of experience in digital effects, film production and writing. Owner of Milake Pictures, a film production company, Jennifer was recently nominated for a 2015 Emmy Award. She was also co-owner of Max Ink Productions and the multi-Emmy Award Winning animation and VFX house Max Ink Cafe.
An accomplished visual effects and entertainment trade press writer, Jennifer regularly contributes articles to National Rock Review, National Country Review and Ambassador Magazine. Her recent features include articles on Janet Mock, Dream Hampton, Ty Stone, Jaime Ray Newman, Paulina Jayne, and The Walking Dead’s Steven Yeun which made the cover story for Ambassador Magazine’s January Issue.
linkedin.com/in/thatjjchampagne
About Munising Fire Department.
The object of the Munising Fire Department is to protect and preserve, to the greatest extent possible, the lives and property of the citizens of Munising from loss or destruction by fire. The department serves a nine square mile area with a population of 2,500. The department is part of the Alger County Firefighters Association and has mutual aid agreements with six surrounding townships.
Facebook.com/MunisingFD
About WLUC TV6.
WLUC TV6 News covers has been serving as Upper Michigan’s Source for news, sports, and weather since 1956. In 2014, TV6 won Michigan Association of Broadcasters Awards for Station of the Year, Best Newscast, Best Weathercast, Community Involvement and Best Photojournalist.
UpperMichigansSource.com
About Milake Pictures.
Milake Pictures is a full service production company founded by Multi-Award winning Producer / Director, Jennifer Champagne. Its focus is to tell stories through all forms of visual media, whether animation, visual effects, or live action production (music videos, commercials, documentary, film, television).