On Base Productions, a Niles-based video production company, has won its second Telly Award.
Owner Charles Nelson tells us he won a Bronze award in the Non-Broadcast – Educational Institution category for a project he worked on with the Buchanan school district for Berrien RESA’s Learn By Heart campaign.
Last year, On Base won bronze for a project with Buchanan’s River Saint Joe. More than the award itself having meaning, Nelson said getting the award is a nice way to showcase his work to the community.
“I think sometimes people from Niles or the surrounding areas don’t really understand who we are and what we do, and they don’t utilize our services,” Nelson said. “So something like this kind of helps validate who we are to the local community. But, it also helps cities like Niles and Buchanan on the map because when they have the list of Telly Award winners its like Jacksonville, Prague and then Buchanan, Michigan.”
Nelson, who is on retainer with Buchanan schools but also works with many Chicago-area clients, describes himself as a “creative mercenary” who does a little bit of everything.
“As long as you have the money, I can figure out how to get it done,” he said. “The variety is what keeps me going. We mostly just like to tell people’s stories.”
As for the name On Base Productions, it’s a reference to what Nelson said is one of the most important statistics in baseball.
“If you’ve got a team full of people who can get you on base, then you’re going to score runs,” he said. “So that’s our whole philosophy. No matter where you are, whether you’re on first base, third base or headed home, we’ll get you to where you need to be. We think of ourselves as partners with whoever we work with. We’re that utility player that can help you in any way that you need.”
