Columbia alum Christian Sprenger won two Emmys for Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (Half-Hour) and Outstanding Comedy Series for his work on “Widow’s Bay.”
Sprenger was one of three Columbia alumni nominated for four Emmys this year.
Chase Infiniti, a 2022 graduate, was nominated for her lead performance in “The Testaments,” and Tari Segal, a 2003 graduate, was nominated for cinematography in “Margo’s Got Money Troubles.”
About 24 students gathered at the 1104 S. Wabash Ave. building to watch the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday night, Sept. 14, and Sprenger’s win offered a glimpse of what could be possible after graduation.
“As someone whose long term goal is to win an Emmy or an Oscar, I think it’s really inspiring to know that the school can give a really good education to get me to that goal that I have for myself,” said Via Helling, a first-year film and television major.
Sprenger won an Emmy in 2018 for “Atlanta” and was nominated for two 2022 Emmy Awards for his work on “Atlanta” and “Station Eleven.”
“I was with my classmates for my broadcasting class, and we were talking about ‘Hey, what if one of us were up there?’” said James Dominguez, a sophomore film and television major. “It’s now more possible.”
“Widow’s Bay” is an Apple TV+ horror series created by Katie Dippold. The show follows the mayor of a New England island as he confronts the community’s supernatural past while attempting to turn the island into a tourist destination. Hiro Murai directed episodes during the first season alongside Ti West, Sam Donovan and Andrew DeYoung.
Sprenger told Whitlock & Pope in a June interview that the show’s deliberate approach to lighting was designed to keep viewers engaged.
“I think that’s now the secret to getting your audience to lean in and engage, as opposed to something that, subconsciously, they just check out of,” Sprenger said.
At the watch party on campus Monday, there was an emphasis on the connections and relationships students could make during their academic career.
“It’s really amazing to think about how much the professors and the teachers here pour into their students to get to such extreme levels,” said first-year acting for stage and screen major Jamya Conner.
The watch party was sponsored by the School of Film and Television.
Prior to the start, Wen-Hwa Ts’ao, dean of the School of Film and Television, announced the recent nominations of graduate films “Cicada” and “I Memorized Your Sadness” for the Emmy Awards NATAS Chicago/Midwest Chapter. The films were made by Yupu Luo, Shannon Sykes and Madison Donnelly.
“You should look at each other, partnership right next to you–you’re gonna help each other out,” Ts’ao said, gesturing to the audience of students.
Harry Danz, a senior film and television major, was involved in both productions. He served as the production manager on “Cicada” and the line producer for “I Memorized Your Sadness.”
Danz said that thinking about how many different talents go to the college and seeing them get recognized and nominated was very inspiring for him.
“If you keep pursuing and persevering, that talent is going to show up,” Danz said. “No matter what, there’s always going to be need, people needed on set, for morale, for fun, for people’s experience, their talent–it’s a big melting pot of people. That’s what’s so beautiful about film is that it’s teamwork.”
Copy edited by Isaac Russo
