Spielberg. Scorsese. Stiles.
Okay, maybe Teri Stiles isn’t exactly on the same level with those other two guys, but she could soon be known as an award-winning director.
A piece of her work at Oxford Community Television (OCTV) has earned her a nomination in the Excellence in Directing category at the Philo Festival of Media Arts. The awards ceremony is set for Oct. 23 in Richmond, Indiana.
‘I’m really, really proud,? said Stiles, who’s the production manager for OCTV. ‘We submitted seven programs and my thought was if even one gets recognized, it’s a huge statement for all of us because we’ve all worked so hard in the last two years to really make a name for ourselves, to convince people that we’re here for a reason.?
The Philo Festival is for professional, volunteer and youth producers and film-makers in or around the central states region, which encompasses Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
This is not the first time OCTV has entered the festival competition, but it is the first time the station has been recognized.
Stiles, a former Oxford Village resident who now lives in Brandon Township, was nominated for a 30-minute episode of a long-running OCTV show entitled ‘Our Community Access,? which features people, places and events around town. Hosted by OCTV Station Manager Bill Service, the show airs at 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
This episode, which aired in October 2014, contained a segment that documented a Native American ceremony that blessed a new colony of bees in Addison Township. The property belongs to Catherine Dery, but the bees belong to Mark Spencer.
Stiles explained the previous bee colony had been killed by the harsh winter weather. A group of Native Americans, who use the sweat lodge on Dery’s property, offered to bless the new bees.
‘They did a beautiful ceremony. It was really nice,? Stiles said. ‘It was such a unique experience for the community to see. I was just proud that we were able to cover it.?
Apparently, the blessing worked.
‘They actually produced more honey the next season than they did the two previous seasons,? Stiles said.
Although she directed the segment, Stiles gave a lot of credit to her cameraman, Russel Currier, who captured all the action from every angle.
‘It’s people like him that make us all look good,? she said.
Stiles is so passionate and dedicated when it comes to her work at OCTV that it’s hard to believe she hasn’t been doing it her entire life.
Prior to entering the world of lights and cameras, she worked in the mental health field, but it just wasn’t her bliss.
‘I knew that’s not what I wanted to do,? she said.
So, at the age of 40, Stiles began taking classes at the Specs Howard School of Media Arts. During that time, she did internships at OCTV and Southfield’s public access station.
This ultimately led to her spending 12 of the last 16 years at OCTV. She also worked two years for Orion Neighborhood Television (ONTV) and one year at Southfield’s station.
Stiles is a fierce advocate for public access TV and its power to improve communities and inform citizens.
‘Being involved in the community is the only way to help it and change it,? she said. ‘Public access is the biggest venue to be able to do that. It’s a good voice for everybody in the community and it’s an accessible voice.?
A modest person and a true team player, Stiles is definitely more interested in tooting the station’s horn than her own.
‘I’m just proud of everybody here at OCTV. This is the best crew we’ve ever had,? she said. ‘When I talk about OCTV now, I am just so proud, I could burst. Everybody loves what they’re doing. Everybody’s talented. People are in a place doing what they love, so they’re doing their absolute best.?
‘Keep watching us because it just keeps getting better,? Stiles added.
OCTV can be viewed by Charter cable subscribers on Channel 191. AT&T U-verse customers can tune in to Channel 99. To learn more about the station, please visit www.occtv.org