Danny Epperson is a multifaceted media professional from Suffolk, Virginia, with expertise in producing, writing, editing, hosting, and acting. He has had a distinguished career, working with prominent media outlets such as WHRO Public Media, the PBS/NPR affiliate in Norfolk, Virginia, where he produced various award-winning television and radio programs, including HearSay with Cathy Lewis. Additionally, he hosted and produced the weekly classic film series, Cinema 15, on WHRO-TV. His experience extends to WAVY-TV, the Portsmouth, Virginia NBC affiliate, and WTKR-TV, the Norfolk, Virginia CBS affiliate. Danny’s background also includes employment with the U.S. military and public school education sectors. Throughout his career, Danny has earned numerous national and regional awards, including three regional Emmy Awards, four regional Emmy nominations, several Gold, Silver, and Bronze Telly Awards, Communicator Awards, National Educational Telecommunications Association awards, and Virginia Association of Broadcasting awards. Danny owns and operates Dandyleap Productions in Suffolk, Virginia, and he also serves full-time as Digital Media Specialist for the City of Suffolk, Virginia’s Communications Department.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

Judging for the Tellys is a fantastic opportunity to see top quality works of others in the field of video, gain fresh, new perspectives, stay on top of trends, and collaborate with fellow designers and producers in the world of media production.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first job was in television news as an intern at a local station. I soaked up everything from line producing and editing to being on camera. It taught me the importance of storytelling rhythm and, more importantly, teamwork. It also taught me that the viewer was the most important element of video creation.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

Most recently, The Price is Right: Suffolk ’74 Edition. The interactive video short celebrated the 50th anniversary of the City of Suffolk–Nansemond County merger in a creative, nostalgic way that resonated with residents and city leaders alike. It was pure joy to make something informative, fun, and rooted in local and pop culture pride.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

Balancing creativity with clarity, and information with entertainment in government communications can be quite challenging. You want to engage people emotionally, but also make sure the message serves a purpose, builds trust, and represents the city responsibly.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

I look for authenticity, clarity of purpose, and emotional connection. A video can be technically flawless, but true excellence happens when it makes people feel something. It shows you a creator is paying attention to their audience, and the viewer will remember it.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

As a Digital Media Specialist with the City of Suffolk, Virginia, from concept to completion, I create media that tells the city’s stories through creative, often cinematic pieces. What I love most is showing Suffolk citizens something familiar in a completely new way, helping them see their city with fresh sense of pride and dignity.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

I just wrapped up producing a video series for the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office called UNITY, highlighting the department’s values and connection to the community. I’m also working on new “image” spots for the city. The videos will be focused on transparency, trust, and citizen engagement while also blending history, heart, and modern-day storytelling.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

I enjoy revisiting pop culture, films, TV shows, ads, etc, and ask, how could this concept work for current video production needs? I also take inspiration from the City of Suffolk itself, its history, stories, landscapes, and citizens often spark ideas better than any brainstorm.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

My parents. They were the best storytellers and I found my way to continue that as a career. From my first audio tape recorder to my VHS camera, I’ve always been fascinated by how media can move us. Whether through news, film, or public service, the idea that video can change perception or bring a community together is what drives me and gives me a sense of purpose for the greater good.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

The strong shift toward genuine, audience-focused content with less polish and more purpose. Gone are the days where everything you produced had to be technically “perfect” to be released. People nowadays crave connection, and also demand transparency. My advice is to continue to focus on sincerity and engagement over perfection. A message that is and feels real will always outperform one that only “looks good.” Make an impact that resonates and stays with people.