Winner Story
Portraits in Patriotismby the University ofSouth Florida
The assignment was clear: make a cinematic lesson plan. Portraits in Patriotism is a docuseries from Innovative Education Studios at the University of South Florida, created to bring civics education to life through bold storytelling and real human experiences. The series has earned four Davey Awards, including the 2024 Best in Show for Non-Broadcast – Film/Video: Documentary for the episode featuring Ildiko Trien, who escaped Romanian communism and became a fashion icon in NYC. See how this small team’s documentary sparked curiosity and conversation across classrooms statewide.
What sparked the idea for the documentary?
The spark for this documentary came from the Portraits in Patriotism series, a project commissioned by the State of Florida Department of Education to develop civics education resources for K-12 students. The goal was to show real, human stories that embody patriotism and resilience; stories that could inspire young learners. Ildiko Trien’s remarkable journey leapt out at us. Fleeing oppression to build a thriving life in America, her story is a testament to the grit and hope that define the American spirit. We knew it had to be told
What was the first brainstorm session like about the series?
When we first started the series, we knew the most important thing was going to be capturing and telling the most unedited version of their stories. This was a difficult task considering the time constraints we were under for final project run time and the actual time we had to produce each film.
Due to the complexity of her story, we knew we had to go big. The toughest hurdle was having to work most of the pre-production remotely from Florida. So we worked through a series of pre-interviews with her, virtual scouts, and google maps to figure out our best plan of action for look and locations before getting to NYC for our day with Ildiko.
Could you share a little more about the team?
We have a small but incredibly talented team that worked on this doc. We are made up of just 12 full-time creatives that include a Creative Director, Producer, Cinematographers, Editors, a Motion Graphics Designer, and an audio technician. Most of those are just titles as everyone on the team pitches in to take on the role of a Director, DP, Grip, Gaff, etc.; whenever needed on set.
Having a small team doesn’t limit us from taking on larger projects. We always push the limit of what’s possible no matter the lift.
What inspired the initial creative direction for the series?
Every episode in the series is a reflection of its subject, and for Ildiko, her larger-than-life personality and unique family history set the tone. With roots in the circus world, she brought a flair that demanded a bold approach. We envisioned a gritty yet vibrant aesthetic, something that captured the raw tension of her escape from tyranny and the colorful triumph of her success in New York City. It was about blending the weight of her past with the energy of her present, creating a visual story as dynamic as she is.
Did the concept of the documentary evolve over time?
Absolutely, it evolved in ways we didn’t see coming. We started with a straightforward plan: interviews, some archival footage, her voice carrying the story. But during editing, one of our team members saw an opportunity to include reenactments. Suddenly, we were imagining her escape unfolding on screen, not just in words. It was a leap that transformed the film, pulling viewers into her world with a twist we hadn’t anticipated.
This season, the Davey Awards is celebrating how small teams “Create the Current” by making waves and shaping the future of our industry. Did this project ignite other projects?
Since this project was part of a K-12 Civics education initiative in the State of Florida, we knew that we needed to make the videos as engaging as possible. They would potentially impact over 2 million students and educators state-wide. The feedback we’ve received from them all has been incredible. The teachers have been using them a lot and the students are invested in each one. They have a lot of great follow up questions and want more.
Although we’ve completed the project for the State of Florida, our team is still invested in this important work. We are continuing to promote the work and exploring how we may be able to take Ildiko’s story to the big stage in the future!
Telling big stories with a small crew? Your work has a home at the Davey Awards. If you enter by May 30th, you can save with early entry pricing.