My work: Favorite stories and moments, through the years

I have enjoyed great successes during my career. I have received 30 Southeast Regional Emmy awards and 11 Regional Edward R. Murrow awards and have four times been named the NPPA National Solo Video Journalist of the Year.

All those successes began with great stories. And I cherish the stories far more than any accolades.

Here are some of the stories I cherish the most:

IN CONSTRUCTION: They want to rise up. Here’s how they try.

When I returned from paternity leave in early 2018, ready to embark on a new project, I chose the topic that affects Atlanta more than any city in America. Four months later, I produced this documentary about income inequality through a fascinating program on the west side of Atlanta.

#KOREATL: A special report on an overlooked community

With the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang coming close, a news manager mentioned the idea of doing a regular series about Atlanta’s thriving Korean community. I loved the idea and turned it into a half-hour special taking on the larger themes of identity and integration in immigrant communities.

“It’s like hip-hop church”: the Soul Food Cypher builds buzz around Atlanta

The Atlanta hip-hop scene evokes names like Outkast, T.I., Migos, and numerous major-label success stories. But in recent years, a different branch has taken hold, literally underground. I heard about the Soul Food Cypher and greatly enjoyed telling their story.

Message in a bottle finds its original owner, 36 years later

I smile every time I watch this story. There’s something so charming about its whole premise and something so unassuming about its two main characters.

He was diagnosed with ALS. His friends surprised him with the Super Bowl.

I have covered three Super Bowls, most recently in my home city of Atlanta. This story stands out above all.

Madison County man saves child crawling near highway

Stories can go viral for any number of reasons, and they are not always positive. But this one had a unique heart, emanating from its main character. I shot it in all of 90 minutes on a summer Monday. That Tuesday, my story, slightly edited, wound up on NBC Nightly News.

Logan’s Run

Speaking of viral, this story has been viewed more than a million times on Facebook. Logan’s big moment is one of the most unforgettable I have covered.

Tad and Mary

This remains one of my favorite feature stories. It won the Southeast regional Emmy in 2013 for Best Feature, largely because of the wonderful spirit of its subjects.

Matt Pearl is the author of the Telling the Story blog and podcast. Leave a comment below or e-mail Matt at matt@tellingthestoryblog.com.

3 thoughts on “My work: Favorite stories and moments, through the years

  1. Bob Sacha says:

    Hey Matt: Thanks a million for your story in the NPPA magazine about video winners offering lessons for novices and seasoned pros. Is there a place where I can see the links to those videos so I can really appreciate them?

    thanks in advance

    \Bob Sacha

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