Linden Grad Wins Michigan Emmy Award

By: Janet Hawkins, Associate Director of Public Affairs at Washtenaw Community College

Jeremy Liesen’s category was one of the last as the 34th Michigan Emmy Award ceremony drew to a close June 16. Suddenly his name was announced.

The next thing he heard was his mother shouting, “Jeremy you won, you won!”

Liesen, a 2004 Linden graduate, and a Washtenaw Community College digital video student,  receive a Michigan Emmy Award for his six-and-a-half-minute film, “Listen,” which reflects on the events of an ordinary day in a college town. 

He competed against other college and university students from around Michigan. Liesen won the editing category for his unique sound to wrapped around his visuals.

A silent sunrise on the outskirts of Ann Arbor illuminates a dark screen during the first few seconds of Liesen’s film. The first sound heard is the deep gong of wind chimes resonating in a light breeze.

“I envisioned a film about 24 hours in Ann Arbor, from sun up to sun down. I wanted to show everyday life in sound and visuals,” said Liesen, who started filming outside of town and moved through the neighborhoods into the downtown area. “I got up around 4 or 5 a.m. to catch the sunrise. Then I ran around town with the camera for the rest of the day.”

The naturally occurring sounds he recorded were edited to produce a rhythmic flow of images. He shot footage in and around Ann Arbor in October 2010. The film debuted at the 2012 Ann Arbor Film Festival in March.

Liesen earned a certificate in sound engineering and music production from the Washtenaw Community College, which laid the foundation for work as a sound technician a couple of nights a week at the Blind Pig.

“I’m kind of obsessive about sound. It’s how I think and how I hear it. I guess I have a unique perspective,” said Liesen, who plays several instruments. He also is the guy his classmates go to when they need an original piece of music for their film projects.

So what’s next for the Emmy winner? Later this month, he will participate in the Detroit 48-Hour Film Project with a team of his friends. Liesen and his team will write, shoot, edit, and score a film over one weekend. He’s looking forward to the challenge.