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Cyrus Toulabi
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Cyrus Jonathan Toulabi is an American high school student and winner of the 2006-2007 National Student Television Award for Excellence (a.k.a. Student Emmy in the "Arts and Entertainment/Cultural Affairs" category for given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for students who excel in the art of television. Cyrus attended Highland Park High School in Highland Park, IL. He is currently a freshman studying Filmmaking in NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Early life Cyrus Toulabi was born in Chicago on June 22, 1991. At the age of two, he moved to Lincolnwood, IL where he was raised until the third grade. When he was in fourth grade, he moved to Highland Park, IL where he currently resides and attends high school. In his eighth grade year, at age 13, Cyrus brought along a video camera and documented his school's field trip to Washington D.C.. This was the first project he had ever made. Career/Accomplishments Cyrus Toulabi is the creator of the series "What's On Your Screen", a weekly segment that reviewed the most popular television shows in pop-culture. The series used a combination of green screen technology and advanced editing programs. "What's On Your Screen" was originally aired on HPHS's Daily Video Announcements on Fridays throughout the school year and can also be found online on YouTube and Tv.com. This series as well as being Nationally recognized by the NATAS, has also been recognized locally by the NATAS Chicago/Midwest Chapter with an award in the "Arts and Entertainment/Cultural Affairs" category in 2007 and an award in the "Writing" category in 2007 as well. The "24 episode" was also awarded a second place award at C-TEC—a local competition for Chicagoland public schools. In spring of 2007, Toulabi and Lexi Heller, a fellow student, created a new series that went hand-in-hand with "What's On Your Screen" called "Focus on the Stars". This title, created by Toulabi, is a combination of the popular American Dance Show Dancing With the Stars and the event that the new series covered Focus on the Arts—a biennial event that brings artists to Highland Park High School to share their passion for the arts. Over three days, world-renowned artists come to Highland Park High School to showcase their talents and encourage students to explore the arts. During this series, Toulabi and his co-host interviewed several artists and celebrities from Jeff Perry to Rent's Anthony Rapp. In early 2008, Cyrus created "Shattering Glass", a documentary-type show that allows viewers an inside look into the lives of students of Highland Park High School highlighting and documenting a certain quality or event that the student has or lives through. Only one episode was produced. In summer 2008, Cyrus attended Northwestern University's National High School Institute Film and Video Production Program. He spent five weeks on campus with 38 other students from around the country. Here he produced multiple pieces, two of which were group efforts. "Green Grass", an experimental short-film playing on the idea that "things are always greener on the otherside". "The Hawk: Faux or Mo", a mockumentary on the fad of the Faux Hawk. And finally, his final solo film "Instant Mashed Potatoes", a dramatic short-film about the effects of bad communication between a mother and son. All pieces are available online on YouTube and Facebook. In November 2008, Cyrus, along with Burt Chaikin and Jack Shulruff, sat down and created an idea for a new narrative series that would span over six short episodes—the first of his kind. Thus, "6 Shades of Gray" was born. The trio, along with a dedicated cast and crew, shot all six episodes over three days in December 2008. Re-shoots were done in early 2009. The series premiered in March 2009 and ended on May 1. All episodes in their original form are available online on YouTube and Facebook. Additionally, all six episodes back-to-back is available in one video without interruptions on Facebook only due to its length in time. In April 2009, Cyrus was recognized by the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce for his work in film and video production. He was nominated by HPHS Media Director and mentor Tom Vogelsang. Also in April 2009, Highland Park High School's biennial "Focus on the Arts" festival took place to much success and praise. With over 270 workshops over three-days, and hit night events, "Focus on the Arts 2009" stayed true and may have surpassed the success of past Focuses. Cyrus served as the first ever Focus Producer and Student Coordinator. Together with four other student coordinators, four parent coordinators and two HPHS coordinators, they planned and executed the renowned festival. "Focus on the Stars" continued with many new artists along with some old faces. This time, instead of just one pair of interviewers, there were three. The interviews were edited live on sight with a more advanced set. Appearances in the Media Cyrus has been featured on the front cover of the Chicago Tribune along with another fellow Chicagoland national award winner in a different category, Tracey Preasley. He along with Preasley were also featured on CBS's "Eye on Chicago" with Antonio Mora and the Chicago Sun-Times. Cyrus has appeared twice on "Scenes from District 113" with Dr. Fornero, superintendent of School District 113. Once in spring 2007, and for the second time in spring 2009. "Scenes" is broadcast on public access in Highland Park, IL and Deerfield, IL. Also on public access, Cyrus was featured along side "Focus on the Arts" coordinators Liz Gosma and Amy Greenebaum. The trio was interviewed to promote the festival in April 2009.
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