Client: UMM/Pioneer Public Television, 2001-present

Project Overview:
Each Spring, over 200 high school students from around the region participate in Academic Challenge, a television quiz show sponsored by the University of Minnesota, Morris and broadcast on Pioneer Public Television. Teams go head-to-head with opposing schools, and the winning team of the annual tournament receives an all-expense paid trip to compete in the the National Knowledge Bowl tournament held the following summer.

My Role in Project:
In 2001, the University of Minnesota Morris became the sole sponsor of the Academic Challenge series. I was asked to build a new set and do a complete makeover of the production design, in addition to directing and editing of the program to 'spice up' the production. I also created a tournament website so teams and audience can follow the tournament.

Each show is shot using six cameras live-to-tape, and edited using Media100 non-linear editing system. Graphics are created using Adobe Photoshop and Boris FX.

The students particpants were very excited of the changes implemented and look forward to participating each year, much of it, is attributed to the increased production value of the series.

QuickTime 256k | 512k
Media Player 256k | 512k