Four new commercials that hit the airwaves May 6 not only promote applied education at Niagara College, they’re a prime example of it.
The four NC commercials currently airing on CHCH were all produced and directed by third-year students from the College’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film program. It was an educational experience for the students who took on a real-world project for a real client. Following an open pitching process, four winning concepts were selected to be produced as commercials.
Broadcasting professor program Andrew Stevenson was pleased with the results, noting that his students responded well to the challenge.
“The goal this year was to script, shoot and edit broadcast-quality commercials that would showcase the College’s impressive new facilities and innovative programs to viewers across the province,” said Stevenson. “The students were really inspired by all of the dramatic changes that have happened at the College over the past couple of years in terms of expanded facilities and technology, and wanted to produce state-of-the-art commercials that would effectively communicate the excitement on campus.”
Student commercials that were chosen to be aired include:
• Dreamfinder, directed by Carissa Curtis and produced by Alex Hanna;
• Race Day, directed by G. Evan Wells and produced by Brent Wadlow;
• Rise, directed by Michael Schoemig and produced by Andrea Hauwert; and
• Culinary Dreams, directed by Zack Schaus and produced by Mike Hicks
Andrea Hauwert of Guelph said creating the commercial allowed her to challenge herself as a filmmaker and prepared her to enter the industry. The most rewarding aspect of shooting the commercial, for Hauwert, was that it is being aired on network television.
“The fact that I was still a student when it was shot, edited and mixed and now just being fresh out of the college when it is being played, is a great feeling,” said Hauwert. “Usually it takes years for someone to get to that standard.”
St. Catharines resident Mike Hicks said he valued the experience that will boost his resume.
“The commercial project in third year was probably the most important project we ever completed,” said Hicks. “We actually got to work in correspondence with Niagara College’s marketing team which was really like working for an external client.”
The commercials will air until May 26.
