Boilermaker Code video captures top Telly Award

Film examines impact of attitudes and behaviors

WIDE AWAKE FILMS, the production company that created “The Boilermaker Code” film, announced June 8 that the work has won the prestigious Silver Telly Award. The award honors exceptional performance in television and online commercials and programs, and video and film productions.

Nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries were submitted to the 35th Annual Telly Awards. The entries do not compete against each other but stand on their own merits. Less than 10 percent receive a silver award.

The Boilermaker Code film explores a period in labor history in which construction trades, including the Boilermakers, dominated the market for electric power plants and how that dominance was lost due to the actions, negative attitudes and behavior of a small portion of union members.

Since that era, union trades have worked hard to rebuild their reputations and to elevate their value and service to owners. The development of The Boilermaker Code and Creed is an initiative to further that effort by establishing a set of core values to follow.

“[International] President Jones’ vision to tell this story through film — in an honest and frank way — guided our efforts throughout the project,” said Shane Seley, a Wide Awake principal and producer/director.

“This was truly a collaborative effort with the staff of MOST, consultant Brad Bradford, [Construction Division Director] Skipper Branscum, and literally hundreds of retired and active Boilermakers, contractors and owners,” he said. “We were privileged to work on such a challenging and worthy project. As filmmakers, it is truly inspiring to produce something that has the power to transform an organization. It’s a great use of our craft.”

The Boilermaker Code is now an official MOST program.