Student film to promote MCC

BY KARA WIREMAN
MESA LEGEND
Submitted Jan. 23, 2001

Art Workshop, a class offered through MCC’s art department, not only involves digital editing using high-tech software, but also the production of an MCC promotional video which students have created using knowledge and skills acquired in class.

After the Office of Institutional Advancement contacted MCC art teacher Cynthia Greening wanting her participation in producing a promotional video, Greening, a program adviser for webpage design, suggested that her students create and produce the project.

The 16 to 18 students in the class shot, edited the video and composed the video’s original soundtrack.

The project began October 2000 and completion of the video is expected by February.

The footage is being retooled for three different outlets: a 3 to 5 minute video that will air in Mesa and Tempe public high schools, advising potential MCC students about the many services MCC offers, and a 10 to 12 minute video that will be shipped to those who request it.

The video will also be shown to international students, residents outside of the Mesa area, people making decisions regarding what college to attend, and people moving to the area.

A 2-minute, downloadable portion of the video will also be available on MCC’s website.

"The primary goal, the primary intent of the short ( 3 to 5 minute) video, was to go to the Mesa and Tempe public schools because that’s the bulk of our market," Greening said.

According to Greening, Art Workshop students were excited and eager to work on something that could benefit MCC.

This student-developed project, after final-editing using tools incorporated into their course, will be sent to Institutional Advancement and to MCC president Dr. Larry Christiansen as part of an administrative approval process.

Any portions of the video which need to be adjusted or changed will be done so by the students in order to fulfill the administration’s needs.

The video will then be published and released to the public.

Greening is working on the script for the video to ensure coverage of MCC programs, financial aid, the process of registration, the technology center, as well as various MCC activities and services, with both student and faculty interviews included.

The Innovative Projects grant awarded $2,000 to cover their budget for video tapes, shipping, and packing materials for the production and distribution of the final product.

Many of the students used their own cameras and equipment, while Greening bought the digital capture products used during production.

The video will arrive at Valley high schools later this year in time for students to garner interest and register for the fall 2001 semester.