MAKE FRESH PRODUCTIONS AWARDS
Nominated 2024 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards
"Griffith Observatory: SoCals Gateway to the Cosmos"
"Legendary Artist Ed Ruscha: Now and Then”
2022 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards
“Personality Profile”
“Eric Idle: Man of Letters and Monty Python”
In an absorbing profile and a hilarious conversation with Eric Idle of the Monty Python group, Melvin Robert explores how Idle decided to donate Monty Python TV and film scripts and other artifacts to the Huntington Library near Pasadena.
“Pandemic Reporting, Entertainment subject, Broadcast”
“Quarantine Concert at McCabe’s”
A superb, behind-the-scenes look at Hot Tuna -- two former Jefferson Airplane musicians — who are playing live together at different locations during the pandemic.
2021 Southern California Journalism Awards
“HUMAN INTEREST FEATURE, over 5 minutes”
The SoCal Scene Team, Spectrum News 1, "Ron Finley Gangsta Gardener"
In a fascinating portrait of the man who defied the city of Los Angeles by growing a garden in his yard, the Spectrum News I team tells an inspiring story of the “Gangsta Gardener” who now teaches gardening online and even conducted a TED talk.
Steve Lange
Executive Producer – Co-Founder, Make Fresh Productions
Steve Lange is a 30-year Television veteran, multi-platform content creator and producer. Lange began his broadcast journalism career in TV news in the top three television markets. He led his newsrooms to top honors in all three -- achieving number one status in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Lange has been awarded numerous Emmys and other top industry awards. Lange’s credits also include, Executive Producer Extra, the syndicated magazine show. He has produced thousands of hours of programing for Food Network, History Channel, Discovery, HGTV, and National Geographic including “BBQ with Bobby Flay” and “Wolfgang Puck,” staring the acclaimed chef. Lange is co-creator of “TechKnow,” the award-winning show about science by millennial scientists. In its multi-season run, TechKnow has won acclaim for innovative story telling and production. He is President & Executive Producer, Make Fresh Productions Inc. and oversees the company’s current programs.
Roland Woerner
Executive Producer – Co-Founder, Make Fresh Productions
Two decades at NBC News in various producer positions including Senior Field Producer for “NBC Today” and Senior Producer for MSNBC “Hardball with Chris Matthews.” Roland has produced hundreds of network television projects ranging from hard news to features shot around the world working with talent ranging from Tom Brokaw to Katie Couric to David Frost. In 2013 at Al Jazeera America, he co-created and was Executive Producer of “TechKnow,” a science show seen in 300-million global homes via AJAM and Al Jazeera English. At Current TV, he was Senior Producer on the political analysis show “The Young Turks”. Working outside of news and analysis TV for two years, Roland was a producer for both “Judge Joe Brown” and “Swift Justice with Nancy Grace” court shows for CBS Television Distribution. He started his career in New York City, producing for radio at WNBC-AM and WABC-AM, and producing specialized videos for Aviation Week Magazine (McGraw-Hill). Currently he’s co-Founder and Executive Producer of Make Fresh Productions, a television/digital production company with esteemed clients that include IBM, Fusion Cable Network, and Al Jazeera America. He is a published author creating and writing the bestselling book franchise “eBay for Dummies” (Wiley Co. Publisher).
Jeffrey McHale
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Make Fresh Productions
Jeffrey McHale has over 15 years of experience directing and editing feature films, short films, commercials, trailers, and music videos. His career in post-production began after graduating from Columbia College Chicago. After numerous collaborations with the non-profit film production company Spilt Pillow, he was brought on as their Creative Director to oversee development through post-production on features, documentary series, and youth outreach. He has worked for multiple advertising agencies and post-production houses including Digital Kitchen, Cutters, Hybrid Collective, Starcom, and EURO RSCG. Jeffrey began his career in broadcast television as the Special Projects producer at the Tribune Broadcasting channel WGN America. Jeffrey’s editing credits also include the launch campaign for Matt Damon’s foundation Water.org, the concert documentary that followed the reunion tour for The Postal Service, titled “Everything Will Change,” and the “1991” music video for Azealia Banks. He served as lead editor on “TechKnow,” the science and innovation series on Al Jazeera America. Most recently, he edited “Phenoms,” the soccer doc-series produced for 21st Century Fox. His feature documentary,“You Don’t Nomi,” about the afterlife of the 1995 cult classic Showgirls, premiered at in 2019 at the Tribeca Film Festival and was released in 2020 by RLJ Entertainment. His other clients include Netflix, World of Wonder, Fusion, Partizan, The Onion and KCET.
Austin Harris
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, MAKE FRESH PRODUCTIONS
Austin Harris is a Southern California-based Director of Photograph with a portfolio encompassing documentaries, television, narrative films and commercials. His work as a cinematographer includes credits on the Emmy-nominated The SoCal Scene and innovative drone cinematography which earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement. As a camera operator, Austin has contributed to blockbuster films including Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy and Baby Driver. Austin’s expertise extends into the commercial world, where he has served as Director of Photography for campaigns for top-tier clients including Google, Intel, USC, Kia and Disney. Growing up in an artistic household in San Diego, Austin was inspired by his father, an expert in historical artwork, and his mother, a celebrated florist. This rich creative upbringing laid the foundation for his passion and unique perspective in visual storytelling. Austin brings a masterful eye, technical precision and a deep commitment to his craft, making him a sought-after collaborator in the world of film and television.