By Shawn Montano
DENVER, CO (March 9, 2007) – Before Josh Shea put together his entry for the NPPA’s Best Of Photojournalism 2007 competition for the Video Editor of the Year category, his girlfriend Melissa told him that he was going to win this year. "She's my good luck charm," says Josh. He didn't believe her, but Melissa's prediction came true as NPPA judges picked Shea, an editor for KCNC-TV, as the new Video Editor of the Year.
"I'm thrilled to see Josh get it because he works so hard, day in and day, out at his job," said Steve Vriesman, KCNC-TV’s chief editor. “Whether it's a VO [voice over] or package, he puts the same amount of effort into both.”
Vriesman also said that Shea cuts stories with the viewer in mind. This concept is very evident on his tape. Shea’s favorite story in his entry is “When the Saints Go Marching In.” The story with its pleasant blend of natural sound and thought out cutaways is a pleasure to watch over and over. Shea says, “It was the story of Katrina survivor Annie Avery and her Mardi Gras celebration at her nursing home. Annie's spirit that day was infectious. The affection Annie and her friends showed each other permeated the room bringing old ladies in walkers out to dance.”
Vriesman says Shea is a model employee. “He gets to work early, has very few distractions and works hard from the time he gets to work till he goes home.” Shea is such a dedicated employee that I had a difficult time getting him to stop working for a moment so that I could conduct this brief interview. “I still have the 6 to do,” he said.
Shea says his biggest influence on his editing came from the editors right here at KCNC when he started in 1998. "Steve, John (Ingraham), Inge (Gill) and Bill (Carr) taught me how to cut the news like the world is ending tomorrow and still make it look good.”
Shea is the second editor from KCNC-TV to earn NPPA’s Editor of the Year award. Inge Gill won the NPPA honor in 1998.
