By Tanner Taylor for the YJ
It’s the equivalent of a national championship and history, too, for the State student organization for broadcasting majors.
The National Broadcasting Society(NBS) chapter earned its first national writing award, against stiff national competition, including what in NCAA sports are the large power conference schools.
NBS senior member and filmmaking enthusiast, senior Alex Day, received the grand prize for his spec script titled, “The Originals – An Immortal End.” The script was based on the most recent season of “The Originals,” a television spin-off of the fantasy series “The Vampire Diaries.”
A spec script, also known as a speculative screenplay, is a non-commissioned, unsolicited screenplay. It is usually written by a screenwriter who hopes to have the script optioned and eventually purchased by a producer, production company or studio.
Hard work pays off, Day said.
It’s validation that I can accomplish my goal,” said the future screenwriter. We all look for something that tells us we can do it.”
For students interested in the field of electronic media, Day recommends networking in organizations like NBS as a valuable as personal talent.
“Make connections as soon as possible. If you want to get your foot in the door, you’d better meet the doorman,” Day said. Winning the grand prize on the national level motivates him to push himself to the next level. “You’ve got to keep climbing up and not look down.”
Day was joined by NBS President Jeff Petty, Vice President Angelica Willis, AERho officer Tanner Taylor and Secretary Brian Wilmot, representing State before their peers.
Students with a Communications focus in electronic media converged for the week long conference, featuring panel sessions, business meetings, guest speakers, studio tours, workshops, presentations, a social mixer and the award ceremony. While Day has spent three semesters with the student organization. This was his first convention submission.
