The Videographers at Eastern Michigan University (VEMU) is hosting the first annual VEMMY (Vee-Mee) award show on April 19 in the Student Center.
The VEMMY awards are "just like the Emmys but college student based," said Luke Swanson, the president of VEMU.
"One of the, like, the biggest reasons I'm doing this is just because a lot of our work and a lot of the people, especially behind the camera, can go unrecognized," Swanson said.
The VEMMYs were created to celebrate the hard work of students whose skills are often overlooked by the audience who only see the final product.
"When you're not on camera, your name is just a credit on something that people skip," Swanson said.
Swanson, a sophomore and digital media production major, made sure to mention that "anybody who likes digital media or interested in video production is absolutely welcome to come" to the VEMMY awards.
When he's not working on a production, Swanson likes to spend his time giving back to the community as a volunteer for the special olympics at EMU. Eastern Michigan hosts the special olympics basketball and soccer tournaments every year.
VEMU, in partnership with the producers of Keeping it E, will be presenting awards to students involved with both organizations. Keeping it E is an all new video program run entirely by students and headed by Sarah Webb who will be co-hosting the VEMMYs.
The awards given out will be uniquely tailored to those receiving them in a style reminiscent of the "Dundees" from the television series "The Office."
Due to COVID, VEMU has spent most of this past year trying to get back to normal while attempting to grow and invigorate their members. On average, the club makes one video a semester, but thanks to the hard working members of VEMU, this semester has seen the production of two independent stories.
Those interested in attending the VEMMY awards or joining VEMU should direct their inquiries to Luke Swanson at lswanso4@gmail.com or by sending a message to @videographersemu on Instagram.
