Greyhounds don’t just make films. They win Emmys.
Such is true in the case of Shane Burcaw ’14, who took home a Mid-Atlantic Emmy on Saturday, September 19 at a sold-out ceremony in Philadelphia, Pa. The short film, ‘A Will to Survive,’ which he wrote and executive produced, won in the human interest category.
‘A Will to Survive,’ produced, shot, and directed by FireRock Productions, is a nearly 12-minute documentary of Burcaw’s most memorable—and most traumatic—trip to the hospital. It is the film adaptation of a personal essay he wrote during his freshman year at Moravian College.
The former English major lives (and thrives) with spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, and doesn’t mince words when sharing his experiences living with an uncertain future. Burcaw’s claim to fame is “Laughing at my Nightmare:” first a blog rife with humor, wit, and positivity, then a hilarious memoir and a successful of the same name dedicated to showing how laughter and humor can improve even the grimmest situations—all the while raising money for muscular dystrophy. He travels all over the Northeast speaking to crowds, sharing his fiercely inspiring outlook on life and reading personal essays. His written work is often syndicated by The Morning Call, the Washington Post, and Cosmopolitan.com. Most recently, his foundation started the program, through which six individuals living with muscular dystrophy will receive important equipment and technology for better quality of life.
This isn’t his first Emmy, either—a news segment on WFMZ 69 about Burcaw and LAMN picked up a Mid-Atlantic Emmy in 2013. But this year’s award is a little different for Burcaw’s brand. In his newest documentary, the funny man trades his usual voice for raw honesty. “I wrote the piece to reflect on one of the darkest moments in life—to show people that hope can be found even in those moments when everything feels stacked against you,” he said in an email interview just days after taking home his second Emmy. “My hope is that the darker pieces give people perspective, not that I have it worse than them, but that no matter what your adversities are, a positive attitude can be an effective coping mechanism.”
Usually a wizard with words, Burcaw wanted to turn this particular piece into a video to expand its reach, so that more people, living with disease or not, can experience an authentic account of life with SMA—the good and the bad. “My professors taught me to be myself when I write. They challenged me to grow as a writer, and they supported me endlessly through the start of my nonprofit during my junior and senior years,” he said. One of those professors is Katie P. Desiderio, associate professor of Management.
When Burcaw isn’t plotting for “world domination,” as he says, he continues to stay connected to Moravian, most recently helping with wording for the College’s brand new community-building #MyMoPaw program with Desiderio and partnering with some of her classes. “Shane is an exemplar of how emotional contagion can impact the world for the better,” says Desiderio, whose heart smiled when she heard of his recent win. “One of the principles in my personal life philosophy is Choose Your Attitude, and Shane models the essence of how this powerful way of being can positively impact performance outcomes. He is a bright and shining star!”