One program recounts the harrowing and fatal journey of four undocumented migrants, unwittingly caught in the firestorm of fall 2007. The other is the North American premier of a concert arranged by world-renowned composer Philip Glass. What they share is a nomination in their respective categories of the 35th Annual Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards ‘mdash; and both were produced and aired by our very own UCSD-TV.
This year’s Emmys ‘mdash; which will be held June 13 at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront ‘mdash; will not be UCSD-TV’s first brush with the most prestigious television awards.
Last year, UCSD-TV garnered an Emmy for its ‘Health Matters’ series. In 2006, the ‘When Things Get Small’ series won five Emmys, and in 2004, ‘The Soul of Saturday Night’ won two.
The station has also received several Telly awards ‘mdash; including four in 2007 and four in 2006. And back in 2004, UCSD-TV was awarded a ‘Platinum Best of Show’ Aurora award.
Since the station’s establishment in 1993, it has expanded into 1 million homes across San Diego County. UCSD-TV’s success made it the model for UCTV ‘mdash; the University of California’s systemwide satellite channel launched in 2000.
Last year, UCSD-TV extended its reach by launching channels on YouTube and Apple’s iTunes U. Both Emmy-nominated programs are available for viewing on these portals as well as at UCSD-TV’s Web site.
‘The Devil’s Breath,’ hosted and produced by Laura Castaneda and executively produced by Shannon Bradley, documents the journey of four illegal immigrants who lost their lives in the 2007 Harris fire.
‘La Jolla Symphony ‘amp; Chorus: Philip Glass’ Cello Concerto,’ produced by John Menier, showcases the composer’s don’t-call-it-minimalist style in collaboration with his oft-muse, cellist Wendy Sutter.
Apart from a concert hall performance itself, ‘Concerto’ features short clips from interviews with Glass, Sutter and conductor Steven Schick about how the event came together, and brief footage of the process leading up to the big night.
New York magazine named Glass one of the ‘Most Influential People in Classical and Dance’ in May 2006.
Schick also bestowed praise on the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus.
‘This is an orchestra with a gas pedal,’ he said in the film. ‘If you step on the gas, that thing will go. And the musicians put their everything, their heart and soul, into these performances.’
As for the piece itself: ‘It’s going to have a long life in the cello repertoire,’ Sutter said.
‘The Devil’s Breath’ ‘mdash; what locals call the mighty Santa Anas, sweltering winds with the power to forge infernos out of an innocently flicked cigarette butt ‘mdash; is sure to make a lasting impact, especially on the families of fire victims.
Seven of the 11 fatalities from the 2007 Harris fire that raged along the U.S.-Mexico border were undocumented migrant workers who crossed the border ‘mdash; some returning to their homes and some seeking new lives in the United States.
The documentary tells the story of San Marcos construction worker Juan Carlos Bautista, mother of four Maria Guadalupe Beltr’aacute;n and young couple Alel’iacute; Peralta and Rub’eacute;n Santos Ram’iacute;rez. Castaneda spent months collecting footage and gathering information for the film.
To reconstruct the victims’ journeys, she interviewed members of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Border Patrol, the Medical Examiner’s Office, UCSD’s Burn Unit, the Binational Emergency Medical Committee, the Desert Angels and friends and family members of the deceased.
Readers can contact Aprille Muscara at [email protected].