Will Allen (Electronic Media/Broadcasting major, '24) was part of the ESPN E60 "Sacred Dog" documentary camera crew that has been nominated for a National Sports Emmy
BOONE, N.C. – Not many students who are about to graduate from college can say they've also been part of a documentary camera crew recognized with an Emmy nomination, but Will Allen, a May 2024 graduate from Appalachian State University who majored in electronic media/broadcasting (EM/B), is one of the few people who can claim this honor. During the summer of 2022, he was part of the TA Films camera crew that spent several weeks on location in South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming on the acclaimed ESPN E60 documentary "Sacred Dog," which captures the beauty and the dangers of indigenous sport called Indian Relay Races, an extreme sport where teams engage in bareback horseracing. "Sacred Dog" was recently nominated for a National Sports Emmy Award in the "Outstanding Camera Work – Long Form" category. Allen was part of the camera crew as the sync sound/gimbal camera operator.
"This has definitely been one of the greatest moments of my career," said Allen. "Being nominated for your first Emmy is always special, but it holds a special place in my heart due to the piece and not the trophies. I feel as if we have already won; we got to spend time and learn about the Lakota Sioux tribe and help tell their story. Win or lose, no trophy can change that."
Will Allen working on location in Montana for the documentary, "Sacred Dogs"
Even before coming to college, Allen was focused on becoming a cinematographer. When he arrived on App State's campus as a freshman, he immediately joined the App State athletics video crew.
"Working with the App Athletics video crew gave me multiple opportunities to shoot different sports teams at Appalachian. Then, in the classroom as an EM/B major, I was pushed hard by my professors on the storytelling side of things," said Allen. "I've worked to merge these two things in my career and feel I was able to bring a new flare to the athletic crew with my focus on storytelling."
His work with App State's athletics video team has been recognized with multiple awards, including a Collegiate Sports Video Organization's Ultimate SAVVY Award and Best in the Dynamic Branded Collateral category by the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) awards.
The EM/B program provided Allen with exposure to a range of production skills. He's taken classes in audio production, video production, lighting, editing, among others. For his capstone class, he was the cinematographer for a short fiction film project, which was a significant departure from his usual work on nonfiction sports films.
"The EM/B professors all have worked in the industry in one way or another, and they bring their professional experience to the classroom. The classes themselves provide students with the chance to explore different areas of the production experience, which allow students to really hone-in on their passions." Allen said.
More importantly, Allen learned that the EM/B program and App State have an active and supportive alumni network that he leveraged to start working professionally while as a sophomore, first as a production and camera assistant, then as a camera operator. His clients have included TA Films, which is owned by App State alumnus Tyler Adams, NFL Films, Fox Sports, and the SEC Network, among others.
"I would say App State's most valuable asset is their alumni network. I got my start in production via alumni or associates of App State and I've had many mentors take me under their wing and teach me valuable skills," Allen said. "I talk to many alumni daily, and I hope the relationships will still push on through the future years."
Will Allen working on location for NFL Films at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta
It has not been easy to combine college with a burgeoning professional production career, but Allen has been able to make it work. He attends classes during the week and then flies off to professional shoots during the weekends. When juggling classes and clients, he learned early about the importance of time management. Though he was tempted to leave school before graduation to focus on his career, he made the decision to stick around and complete his degree.
"I've had a unique college experience, for sure," Allen said. "It's been kind of a double life – one side of me goes to shoot an NFL playoff game on Sunday – and then the other side of me has to go to class on Monday. But getting a degree holds value in today's world. It shows you can commit and work hard for four years. And college also offers tons of growth in education and in life. I am not the same person I was when I stepped onto campus as freshman in 2020."
Allen's portfolio of work can be found at his website: https://www.blackbirdframes.net/blank
Photos supplied Will Allen
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About the Department of Communication
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University focuses on preparing students to succeed in the varied fields within the communication industry. The department offers five majors – advertising, communication studies, electronic media/broadcasting, journalism, and public relations – and a minor in communication studies. Graduates work in a wide range of positions in media, corporate, agency, government, and nonprofit organizations. Learn more at https://communication.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more about the college at https://cfaa.appstate.edu
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls 21,253 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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