Tell us a bit about your organization and what your specialty is in the film and video space.

Goes to Eleven Media is a pioneering music media company, established in 2006, with a mission to keep music in education by creating freely accessible music and video content that uplifts, educates and engages audiences around the world. Our specialty is children’s learning songs and educational videos featuring our puppet troupe The Nirks®. The Nirks® have reached millions of viewers around the globe continuing to inspire kids and families to keep singing, learning and having fun.

What is your organization’s ethos and how does it set you apart from industry competitors?

We strive to keep music in education by creating freely accessible music and video content that uplifts, educates and engages audiences around the world.

How can people join or learn more about what you do?

Visit these websites: TheNirks.com and NicoleBuetti.com

Tell us about your Telly Award winning piece. What’s the story behind it?

“Walking With Giants” is a 4 movement work for brass ensemble that was commissioned by the incredible Big Horn Brass. Their Executive Director – Andrew Harris – and I wanted to create something that was not only great music, but that could give something back to the environment of our beautiful home. We both love animals, especially elephants, and what better way to showcase and build awareness for elephants and elephant conservation than with a brass ensemble! We then decided that we wanted to enhance the piece and the experience of the work by adding film (backwards from most film projects.) As a director and film editor for Goes to Eleven Media’s popular Nirks®, I had the experience needed to create a film for the music and a connection to a wonderful videographer named Justin Pleasant and his wife, photographer Karen Pleasant.

Their footage and photographs brought the piece to life. All that was needed now was to connect with elephant conservation groups. We had the pleasure of teaming up with the Oregon Zoo and The International Elephant Foundation to create a piece about elephants and to help promote elephant conservation. They provided insight and additional photos and footage of their work in the field preserving the elephant’s lives and habitats. The opening movement/scene, Walking with Giants, plays to the majestic and colossal nature of the elephant. Movement 2/scene 2, Elephants at Play, is a playful romp complete with a catchy melody and joyful elephant calls. The third movement/scene is a brass chorale interlude that highlights the inevitable dark future for the elephants if we don’t help them. The chimes ring 11 times to signal the 11th hour – our last chance to help. The piece concludes with an action-packed exciting movement/scene Hero’s Call to Action! A wonderfully heroic ending honoring the heroes that make a difference every day and the heroes we can all become.

What are you most proud of about this piece? What was your biggest challenge during production and how did you solve it?

The live premiere of this work was incredible. We had the film, the Big Horn Brass performing live under the screen, and members of the International Elephant Foundation and Oregon Zoo Foundation presenting about their organizations. A true collaboration.

Do you have any advice to other filmmakers based on your career or your team’s approach to work?

Work on projects you believe in and with people you like and respect and who feel the same about you.

Can you share a behind the scenes story or fun fact about the making of your piece?

While researching for this piece, I visited the Oregon Zoo’s elephant habitat. While quietly observing one elephant and sketching out notes, the elephant approached. He looked me right in the eyes, lifted his trunk in the air and waved to me. I waved back, and the elephant excited waved his trunk at me again, eyes sparkling, and I could swear he was smiling. This brief connection inspired me to create the music for “Elephants at Play.”

Tell us about the most memorable response you got from this work.

This is a quote for Big Horn Brass Executive Director Andrew Harris, the commissioner of this work. “Walking With Giants is created from Devine inspiration. The music and video are magic together.” Working with Andrew and Big Horn Brass was a true honor and privilege.

Complete this sentence: ‘Great video storytelling is…’

… evoking emotion and making a positive difference.