Federal Way’s “Connections” television program earned honors for the third consecutive year.
The program is featured on the city’s television channel, Federal Way TV: Channel 21. It won a silver Telly award for a segment on FUSION, a local non-profit transitional housing organization. It took home a bronze Telly award for a segment that focused on Puget Sound’s health.
The program is written, edited and produced by three city staff members. Natalie Rees writes the script and hosts. Sid Lee edits and films. Linda Farmer oversees the production. Together, they present informative, creative and educational segments on Federal Way people, businesses and organizations.
“The remarkable thing is we produced this entire thing in house,” Rees said. “To win an award when you’re up against people like the Discovery Channel is a real achievement.”
The recent Telly awards are the fourth and fifth such honors the program has won in its five years on air, Rees said. Telly awards recognize the best of the best in television in categories such as local, regional, commercial, film, video productions and online video, according to www.tellyawards.com.
Silver is the highest honor. A nearly eight-minute segment on FUSION won the city its first silver award. Rees and Lee presented an inside look at the organization. They interviewed a board member, who first came to FUSION as a woman in need of housing. Rees is especially proud of the segment.
“We do a lot of work,” she said. “This particular show, I knew it was really special when we did it.”
“Connections” won a second award — a bronze Telly — for another segment it produced this past year. The show highlighted health concerns facing the Puget Sound. It was filmed at Redondo Beach at Highline Community College’s Marine Science and Technology Center. Federal Way divers explored the sound, and the segment featured footage from beneath the water’s surface.
Both shows highlight the city council’s priorities for Federal Way, Lee said. Support of local non-profits and water quality are important Federal Way issues, he said.
As an award winner, “Connections” earned a Telly trophy. It weighs quite a lot and sits on Rees’ work desk, she said. The award is not accompanied by funding for future programs. “Connections” will continue on a limited budget.
“People just do this for the gratification they get for a job well done,” Rees said.
Being nationally recognized for their hard work and quality productions is touching, but the approval of Federal Way residents means more, Lee said.
“I consider it to be way more important to have positive feedback from the community, from the people we are serving,” he said.
Check it out
“Connections” can be viewed on channel 21 by Federal Way residents subscribing to Comcast or online at www.cityoffederalway.com/Page.aspx?page=1505. The award-winning segments are airing again on cable and online. To view air time schedules, visit the same Web site.
