Salute To Teachers Awards (Cox Cable Network)

Jeff Ravitz has been honored with four Emmy® Awards for outstanding lighting design by the Pacific Southwest chapter of the National Association, for his work on A Salute To Teachers.

“Salute” is broadcast annually on the Cox Communications network and is produced by Channel 4 San Diego. The show, broadcast live-to-air from the historic Balboa Theatre in San Diego, names five new Teachers Of The Year.

“Like all live broadcasts that go to air with no chance to edit mistakes, there are spontaneous elements that can work for or against the perfection of the production,” comments Ravitz. “Fortunately for me, my team–which includes programmer Tim Mercer and associate Kristie Roldan, as well as the fantastic Balboa stage crew–came through with a show that looked like it had been rehearsed for weeks!”

The producers wanted an Academy Award-style production, but with a price tag in line with their Board of Education budget. We were able to get the maximum bang for the buck, and still cover all the bases of a show that included live entertainment, hosts, presenters and winners, and a full audience that had to be treated with a huge award show approach.

Ravitz was nominated three previous times for this program, and has received two Telly Awards for it. A third Telly was bestowed upon the 2009 show in addition to the Emmys.