Emmy-Winning Documentaries Take Root at UD

Taylor Powell | Contributing Writer

Did you know Emmy Award-winning documentaries have been made right here on the University of Dayton’s campus? Four, to be exact.

Each year, a select group of media production students enroll in a year-long course taught by Gregory Kennedy, better known as “the doc class.” The class, officially part of the curriculum for the past seven or eight years, began as an independent study before becoming a staple in the media production program.

While Kennedy leads the course, he’s quick to downplay his role. “It’s like whitewater rafting,” he said. “I’m the guy in the back steering so we don’t hit any rocks, but the students do most of the paddling.”

The documentary process starts with students pitching and voting on a central topic. From there, production unfolds over the academic year. This year’s documentary focuses on the foster care system, taking on a more serious tone compared to last year’s project, Funk: The Sound of Dayton, which celebrated the city’s deep roots in funk music.

Funk: The Sound of Dayton was the first of the documentaries to premiere at UD’s newest academic building, the Roger Glass Center for the Arts. This year, the tradition continues as the latest documentary, Placed: The Journey Through Foster Care, is set to debut in the same space, shifting the spotlight from music to the realities of the foster care system. 

Marissa Perkins, who serves as an editor and works on the visual effects, audio, and credits team for the documentary, explained that the film is structured around how children enter the foster care system, what life is like within it, and how individuals eventually exit it. “Doc class is the first chance we get to affect the world around us,” Perkins said. She emphasized that while most people have heard of foster care, few understand its complexities or how close to home the issue really is.

Kennedy noted that the documentary only begins to explore the vast depth of the foster care system. “What people don’t realize is that the 20 minutes of film shown on screen starts off as nearly 35 hours of content that students have to sift through,” he said.

Joe Sullivan, a writer and member of the documentary’s marketing and audio team, emphasized the importance of authenticity in the filmmaking process. “We really wanted our subjects to tell the story,” he said, noting the team’s commitment to accuracy and respect for those featured in the film.

While the documentary may not be the kind of art displayed in a gallery, Sullivan sees value in its impact. “This is the art that we do,” he said. Sullivan also reflected on the broader campus culture at the University of Dayton, observing that issues affecting marginalized communities are not always at the forefront of conversation. “As a campus, I don’t think we talk about things that are important,” he said, suggesting a broader disconnect between the lived experiences of the student body and the realities faced by underserved communities, which can contribute to limited understanding of larger systemic issues.

In light of the often unspoken narrative surrounding UD’s campus culture, this year’s documentary pushes back against the stereotype of a disconnected student body. “Media production isn’t just holding a camera,” says Kennedy, emphasizing the depth and intention behind the students’ work. The film represents months of collaboration, research, and creative effort that has the power to resonate with anyone on campus, regardless of their major or background. Foster care is a topic that many are generally aware of, yet the complexities and emotional depth of the system are often overlooked. Through this documentary, students aim to shed light on those often-missed layers. “Look at the impact we can make with just a simple video,” says Sullivan. Through storytelling, the team hopes to spark awareness and empathy around an issue many overlook.

Placed: The Journey Through Foster Care will premiere Sunday, May 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Roger Glass Center for the Arts, 29 Creative Way in Dayton.

The event begins with light refreshments and a resource fair from 3 to 4 p.m., featuring local organizations that support foster care initiatives. The screening will follow at 4 p.m., concluding with a Q&A session led by the documentary class.

Placed: The Journey Through Foster Care invites audiences not only to learn, but to listen. Come with an open mind and a willingness to see beyond the surface. This documentary is just the beginning of a much larger conversation, and its message is clear: storytelling can spark change. Whether you’re behind the camera or in the crowd, you have the power to make an impact.