THE MOST AWARDED ESPORTS DIRECTOR - PAUL OVERACKER, TALKS EMMY AWARD FOR ESPORTS
Five years ago, I was thrilled to start working in eSports. During a time which I was working on a major television show, I was happy to switch gears into a new platform where you could be ultra-creative on your productions. If you were to bring up the term “eSports”, no one would have an F-ing clue what you’re talking about. Now everybody and their brother (and sister) asks me how they can get on an eSports production.
Into 2017, I Directed the Clash Royale: Spring Finals Crown Championship. There were three separate productions for three different regions of the world, Europe, North America, and Latin America (done completely in the Spanish language). It was because of these productions being submission to Global Entertainment Awards that has pushed to me being the most awarded eSports Director in the world.
Over the last couple of years a lot of my work is been in eSports but last year I turned down a number of eSports productions to produce a feature film. It was during this 2019 year that the Television Academy added a category for eSports.
During those years that I did work on eSports productions, I submitted them to the Emmys (even before there was a specific category for eSports). The submissions were for the Academy to take notice of the incredible eSports productions that were happening. Now the Academy of Television Arts and Science is recognizing esports and created a specific category for eSports. I’ve had discussions with the President of the Television Academy and its Governors about the world of eSports and am happy this important category is being recognized.
I’ve been blessed to direct and produce some great eSports productions with some of the finest eSports talent and gamers the world has seen. I’m always looking for a challenging new show that will highlight the gaming competition, expand beyond its reach beyond its average viewers, and deliver a great show.
My commitment to a show and its production goes on long after the winner is crowned. As a Director/Producer, I am more than willing to get my hands dirty to make any kind of production the best it can be. The quality of any production truly depends on the quality of the crew and I work with the best. Experience really shows in the final product. Don’t settle for just good enough, try to create a memorable show that will stand out in the memories of the viewers for years to come and be talked about for a very long time.
The fact that there is now an actual Emmy category now for eSports is historic. This is an incredible leap for eSports in the Entertainment Industry to be recognized by the Television Academy. The level of quality that the broadcast team puts together for competition has been epic.
There’s a funny little side note - every year, I’ve been invited to the Television Academy’s Interactive Media Peer Group Emmy nominations. They would have YouTube Stars announce the nominees and the YouTubers would joke that they never even heard of the Television Academy. I know for a fact that everybody who works in television is not in the Television Academy, but the fact that our industry is changing so much you really have to be involved to know what’s happening.
If you have a production going on this year, bring on quality people that are truly talented to make it an award-winning quality show. Award recognition not only highlights the hard work you put into a show but also the clients’ product and will showcase your production for new clients to bring their shows to you.
