"I LOVE that this didn't feel like the same old snow storm story that we all cover several times a year in the Midwest. You introduced us to unique characters and made me feel like I was right there suffering with them in that cold. I also like how the focus was the wind - a unique way to peg that storm. I'm amazed with all of that wind that your audio was so great!! That shows just how much work this team put into this story. Usually I;m not a fan of the elements showing up on the lens of the camera, but I have to say in this case it worked. Overall, this was simply amazing."
"Great job getting all of the parents and kids. I love the reveals in this story. You made me feel like I was at the scene of the crash and wanted to learn more. I feel like it did take a little too long to find out who Ms. Jordan was. I think you should have told me she was the principal right when you first made mention that she may have been the one to be hit. Overall, good work. The photographer did a great job being aware of the surroundings - one moment in particular when interviewing the mom and she reaches over and hugs her kids."
3rd Place
Joe WagenerWITI, Milwaukee "Another Day in Milwaukee"
"You just can't plan a story like that. Nice job. I still can't believe the guy just sat in van the whole time you were shooting, until right before police arrived. As good as the story is and all the good things you did, I gave a lower score on craft because the interview with one of the girls was out of focus. But other than that, I thought it was really good."
"I really like how you started it off with the dancers, then did a complete 180 and it's about this huge fire. The rapid transition to the fire was "chaotic" and fitting. There was a "blur focus" shot from behind the fire officials which I wasn't sure how to feel about. It focuses the point on the officials but it seemed like a lot of the fire shots were from the same position. A different angle of the fire could of replaced it and some others. Video used for sound reference was good and nat variety was good."