Brooks Institute is pleased to announce and congratulate film faculty member, Tracy Trotter of Trotter Productions, and alumnus, Stephen McGee, who both earned Emmy(R) awards for the third time.
Tracy Trotter, Brooks alumnus and current film faculty member, won his Emmy as the Director of Photography for his Public Service Announcement (PSA), “Voter,” The PSA was to encourage people to get out and vote no matter their background or ethnicity. Trotter worked with Director, Robert Manciero, and two rival membership clubs, called the “Low Riders” in creating this spot. The PSA is currently being aired on numerous channels in the Los Angeles area. This is Trotter and Manciero’s third Emmy win together.
Stephen McGee, an alumnus of Brooks Institute, won his third Emmy for his project, “40 Years of Respect.” It takes a look back at 1967 where two things hit Detroit that would forever change the city’s history: Aretha Franklin recording her famous song, “Respect” and the riots that took place after the harassment of African Americans by the local police. McGee explains, “When Franklin came out with “Respect” it literally spelled out the one thing she wanted as an African American woman in the 60’s. The song revolutionized the music industry and helped women break through barriers.” That year the Detroit Free Press, where McGee recently worked, won the Pulitzer for its reporting of the riots. This series entitled “40 Years of Respect” takes a look at 1967 in Detroit where those events took place and relates them to today.
McGee was very shocked when he won his Emmy in competition with names such as the NY Times, Frontline, and Washington Post. He attributes his success to the education he received at Brooks and to his partner and best friend on the project, Brooks alumnus, Brian Kaufman. “Brooks is the reason I am here today, doing what I am doing, because it gave me a great platform to push myself. Working with Kaufman during this project was the best part of it. In my opinion he is one of the best editors and video shooters in the USA. The relationships and skills I acquired at Brooks will continue for years and have contributed to the success of my career.”
Trotter’s experience coincides with McGee’s, “Brooks has always been instrumental in all my projects and has given me the basic tools necessary to be successful in the motion picture industry.”
About Brooks Institute
Brooks Institute celebrates more than 60 years of educating students in the visual and media arts. With campuses in Santa Barbara and Ventura, California, the school offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in fields including Professional Photography, Visual Journalism, Film and Video Production and Graphic Design, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Photography. Brooks’ graduates are visible nationally and internationally, working for distinguished organizations including National Geographic, Smithsonian, Los Angeles Times and other national media outlets, including Hallmark Publishing, Cousteau Society, HBO, Kodak and other industry leaders in the visual media arts fields. Brooks is part of the Career Education Corporation network of schools (NASDAQ: CECO).
For more information about Brooks Institute and the school’s programs, visit www.brooks.edu, or call 805-966-3888.
