Some perks of working an on-campus job include a job close to home, a steady source of income and valuable work experience. The students working on the BYU Broadcasting program “Nexos” enjoy all these perks, but can now add winning an Emmy Award to the list.
Last month “Nexos” won the 2011 regional Emmy award for outstanding program or special in the Arts and Entertainment category. BYU Broadcasting is in the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter, covering Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and parts of California, according to rockymountainemmy.com.
“Nexos” is a 30-minute variety show covering topics such as sports, dating and entertainment, with segments filmed in Provo and around the world. Saul Laul is the station manager for the BYU Television International channel which airs “Nexos,” and said he tries to sustain a lighthearted atmosphere.
“It is all about having fun,” Leal said. “The best thing we can show on our television show is the smiles and personalities of our students. We show how they can have fun and live full lives while still keeping their standards and morals.”
The show competed against three other shows for the award and had to meet specific requirements to earn a nomination. Only shows in English are considered for regional Emmy awards and “Nexos” is only available in Spanish and Portuguese. English subtitles were added to their submission video before it was sent off for consideration.
“There were no odds for us to win,” Leal said.
Luiz Malaman, creator and producer for “Nexos,” attended the awards ceremony in Phoenix and was joyfully surprised when he took the stage to accept the award.
“I knew that we had a good product,” Malaman said. “It is definitely a great professional achievement — it’s amazing. Now everywhere we go people will know that we are professionals and we know what we are doing.”
Mentoring students to help them prepare for work after college is a primary goal of the show, according to Malaman. More than 50 percent of the cast and crew of “Nexos” is student employees. The students help with directing, camera work, editing, translating, and one of the show’s hosts is even a student. It is a show made for students by students, Malaman said.
The third season of “Nexos” begins Nov. 3 on BYU Television International and is also available online at byutvint.org.
