Niagara College is using the work of its film students to promote itself throughout Ontario and beyond. Four television commercials, written and produced by third-year Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) students, are currently airing on network television.
The ads are part of a unique learning component incorporated into the BRTF program in 2008, when NC’s Marketing and Communications department collaborated with the BRTF program to add the development and production of a Niagara College television commercial to the curriculum for third-year film students.
“This project allows our students to gain invaluable ‘real world’ experience, while at the same time showcasing their work province-wide,” said BRTF professor Andrew Stevenson. “The talent and professionalism displayed by the students throughout the duration of this project is truly incredible.”
The project assignment was presented to the second-year film class in April 2009, prior to the end of the spring term. The students were asked to develop a concept for a 30-second television commercial for Niagara College, with the best spots being aired on network television. The theme and subject was up to the students, and concepts were developed over the summer and presented to College representatives at the start of the 2009 fall term. Top concepts were selected for production, with writing, filming and editing completed over the remainder of the fall term. Final edits were done through December and January.
“There’s no better advertising for a College than the professional-level work produced by its students,” said Gord Hunchak, Director of Marketing and Communications. “These spots reinforce the fact that Niagara College is producing well-educated graduates with hands-on learning experience, who are ready to hit the ground running in the working world.”
Twenty-three BRTF students were involved as crew for the commercials, which were shot on 35mm film using equipment donated by PS Production Services in Toronto – the film was then transferred to High Definition digital video for editing. Approximately 20 students in the College’s Acting for Film and Television program, as well as additional students in other programs, including Paramedic, provided on-camera talent for the project.
The end result is four very different spots, all tied together with Niagara College’s strong brand – including its commitment to student success, and tagline of “Applied Dreams.” The “It Starts Here” spot is a suspenseful, high-energy ride; “BRTF Commercial” is a behind-the-scenes look at film production; “40 Years Later” depicts the advancement and evolution the College has witnessed throughout its history; and “MyNC” is a powerful re-enactment, highlighting one of Niagara College’s Paramedic programs.
The Director and Producer for each spot are:
“MyNC” – Director Corie Levitt (St. Catharines, ON), Producer Ryan Kittel (Walkerton, ON)
“BRTF Commercial” – Director Jonathan Topping (St. Catharines, ON), Producer Justine Goodchild (Mississauga, ON)
“Forty Years Later” – Director Kristopher Lloyd (Pembroke, ON), Producer Paul Parillo (Grimsby, ON)
“It Starts Here” – Director Desmond Berlingeri (Peterborough, ON), Producer Mate Bodnar
The four spots will air in rotation over the next several months on CHCH TV and can be viewed online at www.NiagaraCollege.ca/video.
Niagara College offers the three-year Broadcasting-Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) diploma at its Welland Campus. Students benefit from unique facilities, including a sound mixing theatre, automated radio on-air production and a mobile TV production truck. Focus on hands-on learning is highlighted with daily broadcasts on the web and College radio station, 90.1 FM CRNC, and a weekly live TV magazine show. Students gain transferable skills and experience through the completion of up to 640 hours of field placement. For more information, visit www.NiagaraCollege.ca/BRTF.
Niagara College is one of Ontario’s 24 publicly-funded Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology. With 8,000 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma, baccalaureate degrees and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, and the College is home to the globally-recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and Niagara College Teaching Winery. In 2008, Niagara College launched an unprecedented $90 million campus redevelopment project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011. For more information, visit www.NiagaraCollege.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Gordon Hunchak
Director, Marketing & Communications
Niagara College
905-735-2211, ext. 7567
905-650-7820 (cell)
ghunchak@niagaracollege.ca
