Tidepool film takes Emmy

“Tidepool Scene,” a film produced by Barnstormer Productions and the Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau, won an award for excellence in television in the category for Children’s Programming on Saturday at the Emmy Awards for the Pacific Southwest Region of the National Academy of Television Arts and Science in San Diego.

Hosted by Jeffrey Lehmann of PBS’ award-winning travel show, “Weekend Explorer,” the seven-minute HD film that debuted on cable last fall aims to educate children about tidepool creatures and etiquette through catchy music jingles and interviews with Jan Sattler, tidepool docent and Calla Allison, marine safety officer.

“We are thrilled that the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau was asked to spearhead this Emmy-winning project by the Laguna Ocean Foundation,” Lehmann said. “It accomplishes many goals including spotlighting one of our most valuable natural resources, the importance of our tidepools and the protection of them, and it allowed us to showcase the ‘real’ Laguna Beach.”

Competing nominees in the Children’s Programming category included “Mojave Max Emergence Contest” and “Respect the Ride” by Joshua Tree Productions, “Theatre of the World Festival: Jungle Book” (San Diego State University) and “Periodistas del Mañana/Journalist of Tomorrow” (KINC-TV).

Judy Bijlani, executive director of the bureau, said she is ecstatic about the Emmy because an “award-winning” film is likely to reach a far wider audience.

“It’s important that we spread the message about the [fragility] of our tidepools and how we impact them,” she said. “I wasn’t even aware of these factors until the Laguna Ocean Foundation proposed to me their long-term dream of creating this film.

“The project has also been a wonderful partnership among the community, and we’re especially thankful to Jeffrey for donating his captivating footage, which made it all possible.”

Established in 1992, the bureau’s mission is to market the city of Laguna Beach locally and globally through marketing, public relations, member interaction, website development and consumer and visitor contact.