Court Building Documentary Honored with Telly Award
Chris Davey (left), former director of the Office of Public Information at the Supreme Court, and Dan Shellenbarger, OGT executive director, served as co-executive producers of the “Justice Finds a Home” documentary that won a bronze Telly Award.
Chris Davey (left), former director of the Office of Public Information at the Supreme Court, and Dan Shellenbarger, OGT executive director, served as co-executive producers of the “Justice Finds a Home” documentary that won a bronze Telly Award.
A documentary about the history behind the home of the Ohio Supreme Court received recognition in a national awards competition.
Produced by the Ohio Channel in conjunction with the Supreme Court’s Office of Public Information, “Justice Finds a Home” took a bronze in the 36th annual Telly Awards, which were announced in mid-June.
The half-hour film documents the life of what is now called the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center. The building opened in 1933 as the Ohio Departments Building. Decades later it sat unused until the late Chief Justice Moyer saw its potential as the first building solely dedicated to the Ohio’s judiciary. The film includes never-before-seen interviews with Chief Justice Moyer and with the artisans who restored the building to its former glory.
The documentary premiered at the Ohio County Courthouses Symposium in May 2014 and later aired in the fall on public television stations throughout the state.
“The documentary captures the essence of Chief Justice Moyer’s quest not only to restore a treasured architectural structure but also to find permanent quarters to match the majesty of the rule of law that the court represents,” Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor said. “Through the film, we gain insight into the beauty of the law through Chief Justice Moyer’s eyes.”
The documentary has also been nominated for regional Emmy awards for editing and graphics.
“We started filming the Supreme Court building 10 years ago,” Ohio Government Telecommunications Executive Director Dan Shellenbarger said. “We spent hundreds of hours shooting and editing. This award is a great way to be recognized for all of the effort done by our team. The court was extremely helpful and encouraging as we strung together the narrative of this fantastic building. The building is a work of art. Telling its story made all of the work that went into this so very enjoyable.”
Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards honor outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs; video and film productions; and web commercials, videos, and films. A panel of more than 650 past winners judged the annual competition.
Three other OGT productions that profiled county courthouses also won Telly Awards, including one receiving the highest honor: silver.