Behind the Scenes of a Silver Telly Award Project

Bringing Science to the Spotlight: Behind the Scenes of FOREFRONT
Telling Stories That Advance Health at UIC College of Dentistry.  

When the UIC College of Dentistry set out to make its groundbreaking research more visible and accessible to the general public, it envisioned more than a publication or report—it envisioned a stage. Enter FOREFRONT: Science Discoveries Advancing Health, a TED-style speaker series devised by Dr. Ana Bedran-Russo, associate dean for research and head of oral biology.  

The goal was clear: enhance understanding and awareness of the college’s research enterprise through engaging, accessible storytelling. What resulted was a powerful series of presentations by UIC’s top dental researchers, each one breaking down complex ideas into insights that inform, inspire, and connect.

A Collaborative Production

Creative & Digital Services (CDS) joined the project in its formative stages, working alongside the College of Dentistry’s marketing team to help shape the event’s format and production plan. Serving as our primary point of contact was AnaLisa Hendricks, director of marketing and communications for the college, who led operations in a project manager capacity, ensuring a smooth, collaborative process from start to finish.

Our team led all aspects of the live production experience, including multi-camera filming, technical direction, and post-event editing. The goal was to deliver a series of five polished, visually engaging videos that could extend beyond the room, reaching digital audiences through professional storytelling and cinematic presentation. To elevate the atmosphere and add visual impact, we partnered with Visual Feeder, a Chicago-based projection mapping lab known for creating immersive environments and digital experiences. Their contribution brought dimension and energy to the stage, giving the talks a unique identity that resonated with the audience and aligned with the innovative spirit of the research.

Strong Branding Through Partnership

While the final branding and design system for FOREFRONT were developed by external partner Multiple, Inc. CDS remained closely involved to ensure seamless alignment between the event’s visual identity and its technical execution.

Award-Winning Impact

FOREFRONT didn’t just engage—it earned recognition. The project received a 2025 Silver Telly Award in the “Online Series: Education & Discovery” category, honoring excellence in content creation and production. The award reflects the power of strategic storytelling, thoughtful design, and collaboration between campus partners.

Why It Matters

FOREFRONT exemplifies how universities can translate academic research into compelling public-facing content. By putting researchers on a stage, both literally and figuratively, the College of Dentistry is building bridges between science and society. For CDS, this project underscores our commitment to producing media that informs, inspires, and celebrates the brilliant work happening across UIC.

👉 Watch the series:  dentistry.uic.edu/forefront

Award-winning storytelling starts with a conversation.

From concept to camera, our video team helped bring the FOREFRONT series to life, earning a 2025 Telly Award along the way. Whether you’re launching a research series, promoting a campus initiative, or want to connect through compelling video, we’re here to help. Contact us to collaborate on your next big story. Let’s make something remarkable together.