Students Create Video Projects for Local Nonprofits

Students in Pennsylvania College of Technology's mass media communication major completed video projects for local nonprofit organizations during the Spring 2008 semester.

The students, enrolled in the Advanced Digital Media Production course, produced both "long-form" client advocacy pieces, which ranged in length between seven and 20 minutes, and multiple 30-second public-service announcements, all in about 14 weeks.

According to Bruce E. Huffman, instructor of media arts and video production, the project helps students understand the strengths and challenges of working in a production team, working with and being responsible to a client, and working within deadlines. It also allows them to create something they can show as an example of their work to prospective employers.

Teams of three or four students worked with a local nonprofit "client" throughout the semester, first meeting to gather project information, then presenting their initial ideas and seeking additional input. After planning (preproduction) and shooting the footage using college-owned equipment (production), the students edited a rough-cut version to present to the client. After making any necessary changes and tweaking the final version, teams received approval from the clients before making interactive DVDs. Through a partnership with Comcast, the 30-second PSAs will be aired on the local Comcast cable-television system.

Nineteen students in two sections of the class worked on the projects:

YWCAThe student team of David E. Davenport Jr., of DuBoistown; Jamie L.W. Haight, of Sunbury; Shanee B. Robinson, of Newark, Del.; and Brian K. Williams, of Williamsport, prepared a video for the YWCA's "One Building, Many Programs" campaign.

"Working with a real client has taught me to develop patience, because clients can change their minds at the last minute, or discover they want to go in another direction with their product, or not even know what they want at first and trust you to make a decision that would seem to benefit their product," Williams said. "Working in a team has taught me to adapt at being dependent when working with colleagues that I can trust them to do their share of the work and they can trust me to do my share, and that if I or any of them need help, we're there for each other."

"The students at Penn College did a wonderful job putting together a video for the YWCA," said Janel Gordner, development and marketing specialist for the YWCA. "We will use this for our "˜One Building Many Programs Capital Campaign' scheduled for 2009. We are thankful for their time and dedication to this project."

Since Spring 2005, students in the Advanced Digital Media Production class have created and produced PSAs or longer promotional, instructional, or advocacy pieces for more than 25 local nonprofit groups or agencies.

For more information about mass media communication or other academic programs offered by the School of Integrated Studies at Penn College, visit online or call (570) 327-4521. To learn more about Penn College, visit on the Web , e-mail or call (800) 367-9222.