“I had to go buy a tux,” said Harriott, who earned his degree in film-video from the College of Communications in 2009. “They had told us we were nominated, but it didn’t really hit that it was possible we’d win until they told us they were sending us to the ceremony in Los Angeles.
“Even then, it was a surprise. There are a lot of good shows on TV, but I’d always liked the look of our show,” said Harriott, who was honored in June for Outstanding Single Camera Photography along with John Barnhardt, the show’s cinematographer.
Harriott, a native of Allentown, Pa., who worked on documentaries as a film-video student at Penn State, responded to a Craigslist ad for the position with “Born to Explore” three years ago. He had moved to New York City after graduation and lived with friends in a one-bedroom apartment to save money, hoping to earn a break in the film and movie industry.
Along with “Born to Explore,” which is currently finishing its second season and was recently renewed for three more, Harriott completes mostly freelance assignments. Sometimes breaks between international shoots are only one week long and other times they last several weeks.
No matter the interval, Harriott makes the most of his time working on documentaries, film projects or other television shows. Adding an Emmy Award to his resume should boost his career. “It impacts me on several levels,” Harriott said. “Its just nice to get recognition for the work you’re doing and it’s definitely good for freelancing. When you apply for something, that certainly validates what you’ve been doing.”
“Born to Explore,” was also honored as Best Travel Show, and the show has met Harriott’s expectations in every way. “When I went in for the interview and they gave me an idea of what the show was about, I knew it was exactly the type of thing I wanted to do,” he said.
“Born to Explore” also earned a 2013 Parent’s Choice Gold Award, a 2013 Telly Award and a 2013 Cynopsis Kids !magination Award.
To see more of Harriott's work, go to www.gregharriott.com.