On April 22, 2024 the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, New England Chapter announced their winners and honorable mentions for the annual Student Production Awards (SPA). Middleborough High School Television Production won three New England Student Production Awards and received ten additional nominations.  Kevin Heleen won in the best Short Form Fiction category for his film, Shock.  Brianna Baker won a New England SPA in the Talent/Performer category for Shock.   Collin Roque also received a New England SPA for the best Long Form Fiction in New England for producing his original film, One of the Sequels Ever. 

“I would like to thank my Mom, my Dad, and my sister, as well as my friends for always supporting me and being there for me. I would also like to thank Mr. Pelletier for teaching me all that I know and giving me valuable advice, and of course Brianna for agreeing to be the star of the show and delivering an amazing performance!”

Kevin Heleen

Shock follows a girl named Quinn, and her journey through a state of shock after witnessing a car crash. She dives deep into her own consciousness, as she comes to terms with what she’s witnessed, and readies herself to take action in the split seconds after the traumatic accident.

“The whole process of filming was so much fun and an engaging experience. This was my first time partaking in acting outside of stage performance and I feel so grateful for the opportunity to gain new exposure and connections.”

Brianna Baker, Winner SPA in Talent/Performer Category for Shock

“My favorite part about producing this film has to have been editing. I had so much fun shooting, but it was so satisfying seeing the finished product slowly come together during the editing process.”

Kevin Hellen on producing “Shock”

In One of the Sequels Ever Collin’s character wakes up from what he thought was his real life, and ends up in a strange facility called “T.A.P.T.A.M.E.D.” Collin has to escape before he’s caught by the “amazing” security. 

“My favorite part of production would have to be writing the script. I’d like to thank my family for always being there to support me and letting me stay after school so I could finish the film. I’d also like to thank Mr. Pelletier for being an amazing teacher throughout my four years of TV Production, and teaching me a lot of things about filmmaking. TV Production was definitely really fun, and I’d like to express my gratitude for this amazing award!”

Collin Roque, Winner New England Student Production Award for best Long Form Fiction

Middleborough High School 2024 Student Production Award Winners
Short Form Fiction: Shock – Kevin Heleen, Brianna Baker
Long Form Fiction: One of the Sequels Ever – Collin Roque
Talent/Performer: Shock – Brianna Baker

MHS Television Production Students earned an additional ten Student Production Award honorable mentions. Kevin Heleen earned five SPA nominations in the following categories:  Music Video, Director, Editor, Photographer, and Writer. 2022 SPA winner, Corinne Horsman, and Emerson Kearns earned an SPA nomination in the Music Video category for Teenage Dream.  Corinne also earned an honorable mention for best Director.  Kadin Andrade, Gavin Fritz, and Brian Moreau earned an SPA nomination in the Short Form Fiction Category for their film, Trembling Timberlands.  Ryan DeLaney and Bayley Martin also received honorable mentions in the Short Form Fiction category for their film, The Missing Piece.

Middleborough High School 2024 Student Production Award Honorable Mentions
Music Video: Teenage Dream, Corinne Horsman, Emerson Kearns
Music Video: Passing Through, Kevin Heleen
Short Form Fiction: Trembling Timberlands – Kadin Andrade, Gavin Fritz, Brian Moreau
Short Form Fiction: The Missing Piece – Ryan Delancey, Bayley Martin
Director: Start Strong // SEMASC // Teenage Dream // Winter Formal – Corinne Horsman
Director: Passing Through // Shock – Kevin Heleen
Editor: Passing Through // Shock – Kevin Heleen
Photographer: Trembling Timberlands – Kadin Andrade
Photographer: Passing Through – Kevin Heleen
Writer: Shock – Kevin Heleen

Many of the short films earning SPA wins and nominations aired on Middleborough Educational Television’s premiere episode of Through The Lens earlier this year, where student filmmakers had the opportunity to share their insight into producing the videos entered into the Student Production Awards.

Television Production at Middleborough High School has been taught by MHS alumnus, Adam Pelletier since 2004.

 “I am so incredibly proud of the effort and creative energy our students have poured into these video projects.  This student excellence recognized by the academy is a reflection of the continued support of television production at middleborough high school since the inception of the program in the 1980’s by its creator and visionary, John Hilsabek.”

Adam Pelletier, Television Production teacher

New England Student Production Award winners and honorable mentions may be eligible for the 2024 National Student Production Awards, held in January 2025. 

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational, and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Awards for News & Documentary, Sports, and Daytime television programming, as well as achievements in television Technology & Engineering. NATAS membership consists of more than 18,000 broadcast and media professionals represented in 19 regional chapters across the United States Beyond awards, NATAS provides extensive educational programs through its Foundation, including regional and national scholarships and Student Production Awards.