A World of Difference | Documentary Series

All across the country, people of color, women, immigrants, low income communities, and many others, say they feel less respected, more fearful, and in many places, under attack, because of their differences. MediaLab’s award-winning four-part documentary series, A World of Difference, investigates how communities experience diversity and ultimately asks the question: How do we value difference?

As the director, I contributed to researching, storyboarding, interviewing, filming, photographing, and editing the series. As the lead designer, I defined the World of Difference style and created promotional and event materials including posters, programs, DVDs, and invites. In addition, I created the opening title, lower thirds, and graphics for the film.

Rachel Lovrovich: Director + Graphic Designer
Joshua Wiersma: Director of Photography + Editor
Julia Grosvenor: Story Editor
Mackenzie Cooper: Producer
Dalton Rouse: Composer
Jonathan Spielmann: Narrator
Dr. Robert Marshall Wells: Academic Advisor

For access to the full series, visit the film’s website or contact MediaLab at ml@plu.edu.

Awards

Episode I. Immigration // El Paso, TX

  • Nominated for a 2018 College Division Emmy Award in the long form non-fiction category by the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
  • Finalist (Top 3) in the Best Documentary category from the Student World Awards.
  • Award of Merit in the Documentary Short, Documentary Program / Series, Original Score, and Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising categories from the Accolade Competition of Southern California.
  • Award of Recognition in the Use of Film / Video for Social Change and Title / Credit Design categories from the Accolade Competition of Southern California.
  • Honorable Mention from the Global Shorts Awards.
  • Award of Merit in the Documentary Short (Student) category, from the IMPACT DOCS Awards.
  • Merit Award of Awareness from the Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA.

Episode II. Gender // Portland, OR

  • Official Selection for the 2018 Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA.
  • Special Mention from the Global Shorts Awards.
  • Award of Merit in the Documentary Short (Student) category, from the IMPACT DOCS Awards.

Episode III. Race // Sedalia, MO

  • Nominated for a 2018 College Division Emmy Award in the long form non-fiction category by the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
  • Official Selection for the 2018 Seattle Transmedia and International Film Festival.
  • Award of Merit in the Documentary Short, Use of Film / Video for Social Change, Documentary Program / Series, Original Score, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, and Editing categories from the Accolade Competition of Southern California.
  • Special Mention from the Global Shorts Awards.
  • Award of Merit in the Documentary Short (Student) category, from the IMPACT DOCS Awards.
  • Merit Award of Awareness from the Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA.

Episode IV. Class // Richwood, WV

  • Semi-finalist (Top 7) in the Best Documentary category from the Student World Awards.
  • Special Mention from the Global Shorts Awards.
  • Award of Merit in the Documentary Short (Student) category from the IMPACT DOCS Awards.

A World of Difference graphic design and promotional materials

  • Bronze Award in the Promotion category from the Astrid Design Awards.

Changing Currents: Protecting North America’s Rivers

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, roughly 50 percent of the nation’s 250,000 rivers are too polluted for swimming or fishing. Changing Currents: Protecting North America’s Rivers investigates the threats to these vital bodies of water and explores some of the compelling restoration efforts occurring in communities across the continent. The mission of Changing Currents is to raise awareness, encourage environmental stewardship, and advocate for increased public dialogue about effective river protection efforts.

I contributed by researching, storyboarding, interviewing, filming, photographing, and editing in addition to directing and contributing to the creation of all graphics and promotional materials for the film.

For access to the full film, contact MediaLab at ml@plu.edu.

John Struzenberg: Director of Photography/Lead Editor
Rachel Lovrovich: Creative Director
Joshua Wiersma: Videographer/Assistant Editor
Kelly Lavelle: Publicity Designer/Photographer
Chris Boettcher: Social Media Associate
Melody Coleman: Composer
Terran Warden: Narrator
Dr. Robert Marshall Wells: Academic Advisor

Awards

  • 2017 College Division Emmy Nomination in the long-form documentary category by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
  • Award of Merit in the Documentary Short, Use of Film / Video for Social Change, Original Score, Editing, and Title/Credit Design categories from the Accolade Competition of Southern California.
  • Award of Merit Special Mention in the Nature / Environment / Wildlife category from the Accolade Competition of Southern California.
  • Award of Honors in the Campaigns – Non-Profit/Public Affairs category from the International Mercury Design Awards.
  • First Place Grand Prize Award in the long-form documentary category from the National Broadcasting Society (NBS-aeRho).
  • Mark of Excellence Finalist in the in-depth reporting category from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Region 10.