Newsroom – California State University, Northridge

CSUN History Major Wins Emmy for Music Video

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., May. 14th, 2009) ―

For Cal State Northridge history major Nicole Taubman, walking the red carpet, having her photo taken and being treated like a celebrity was a new experience, but one she could grow accustomed to.

Nicole Taubman recently won first place in the music video category at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation’s 30^th College Television Awards for her piece “Mechanical Hands Electric Heart,” which she produced. Her video was chosen from more than 700 entries.

“This (award) was definitely a stepping stone. It was my first time attending an award ceremony and it was a little overwhelming to walk the red carpet and have my picture taken,” said Taubman. “I didn’t know that everyone would be there. It was all a little surreal, but I enjoyed it.”

Taubman became interested in producing about two years ago when she was introduced to friend and partner Chris Buongiorno, who directed the piece. Buongiorno, a recent graduate of the Art Center College of Design, developed the concept for the song by the band Mechanical Hands, whose song is featured on the video.

“We funded the video ourselves and shot the entire thing in two days. There were about 30 shots a day. It was very exhausting, but fun,” Taubman said.

The video was shot about six months before they entered the contest.

“When you do these types of projects, you have them done for months and nothing. But it is very validating to have someone recognize your work, let alone hand you an Emmy for it,” she said.

The 24 year old Granada Hills native originally wanted to go to law school.

“Since I had to declare and I wanted to become a lawyer, I thought history was the best way to go,” she said.

After finding a job as a paralegal four years ago, she has decided that law school is not the place for her.

“I am a paralegal at a firm in Pasadena,” said Taubman. “I do criminal defense work and, although it is very stressful at times, I enjoy it. But producing is my passion and I eventually want to own my own production company.”

Taubman recently submitted her commercial, “Monopoly,” to the Association of Independent Commercial Producers awards. If selected as the winner, Taubman will be invited to attend the award ceremony which is scheduled to take place in New York next month.

For more information about  or to view samples of Taubman’s work, including her award-winning piece, visit www.nicoletaubman.com.

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