SDSU Student Film Receives Local Emmy

San Diego State University television, film and new media students are finding success on a large scale.

Three SDSU student films were nominated for Emmy awards by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter. 

Two films were nominated for the Student Programming – Short Form category which included "SMILE," a comedy produced by Jason Miller, and "The Infirmary," a science fiction film produced by Taylor Sedensky. The third film, "Anything but Frogs," won the Emmy in Student Programming – Long Form category. David Oleary served as screenwriter, director and executive producer for the romantic comedy. 

“Being nominated for an Emmy gives the students status and recognition of an achievement on more than just a local school level,” said Area Head of SDSU’s TFM program Greg Durbin.

Oleary, who is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in film production, went back to school to pursue his passion for filmmaking, but because of his business background, brings a unique perspective to filmmaking.

“When I look at a film, I look at it as a complete business entity itself,” Oleary said. “It needs everything a business would need to have, such as development, marketing and advertising exposure, and of course a good product.”

This outlook is why Oleary made sure to not cut any corners in the production of "Anything But Frogs." In fact, for one scene of the movie he filmed a large-scale song and dance routine in Balboa Park that was led by a choreographer who previously worked with Michael Jackson.

This hard work is paying off for Oleary and his film crew who already won three awards at the San Diego Film Festival. Awards he views as validation for all the hours that everyone dedicated to his film.

“With this Emmy I feel like I have done justice to the amazing actors and crew that donated their time to put this project together,” Oleary said. “Now they are all realizing some reward for their efforts and I am very excited about that.”