Departments Name Top Communicators

David Crabtree (RTVF ’94) has made a name for himself since graduating as “Hollywood’s ‘go-to’ editor when a producer has a pilot project for a television series.” Now, he was recognized this past spring for his accomplishments as the 2005 RTVF Distinguished Alumnus.

Most recently, Crabtree edited the television movie and series pilot “Kojak,” starring Ving Rhamer and Chaz Palmentieri. In 2004, he edited the mini-series “Five Days to Midnight,” starring timothy Hutton and Randy Quaid. In 2003, he edited the pilot for the television show, “Las Vegas,” starring James Caan and Jack Duhammel.

Earlier in his career, he was a regular staff editor for “NYPD Blue.” His other credits include, in some capacity, “Red Meat,” “No Strings Attached,” “The Burning Zone,” and “Roar.” And it all started with a short film he directed called “The Bedroom,” which won first place in experimental drama at the Houston International Film Festival.

Kitty Felde, host of the award-winning “Talk of the City” on KPCC radio in Los Angeles, was named Distinguished Communicator by the Department of Communications at its spring 2005 Awards Banquet.

She has accumulated over 18 years reporting for National Public Radio, Monitor Radio, KLON, KCRW, and such print outlets as the Associated Press, the Christian Science Monitor, The Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune.

Felde was named Radio Journalist of the Year by both the Los Angeles Press Club and the Society of Professional Journalists. Other recognitions include 10 Golden Mikes, six Golden Medallions, two Silver Gavels and seven Associated Press TV and Radio Association awards.

Also, Felde has written two plays and a musical, and she teaches playwriting to inner-city youth through the Heart of Los Angeles Youth Theater.