Campaign

Ascend: The Campaign for the University of Denver Campaign Video

This video by DU what produced and posted in 2010. The video does a great job of capturing b-roll and interviewing subjects. After watching all 9 minutes (tuned out by 6 minutes), I have good idea of what it is like to go there–nice classrooms, pretty campus, social people, etc.

One of the stories in the video is about a student who is a scholarship recipient. She is a natural leader and attentive in the classroom. Her story was broad in the way that it says “without this scholarship I would not be here” kind-of-way.  I think she could have told more about herself; her past is what motivates her. I was not inspired to give. I had this feeling of “I am glad someone was able to support her”.

Visuals: I think the visuals were ok. There was good framing and nice shots, I just think a DSLR would change the game for them. If they shot on a Canon 5D and not a HD Camcorder, I think that would make the world a difference. The lack of depth of field makes if feel more early 2000’s rather than 2010.

The “Charting Our Course” Campaign Video by U of L

Snapshot

This campaign video by U of L was released three years ago for the capital campaign to raise 1 billion dollars. Here is their campaign site.

Just from the looks of the video and the website (a separate site from the university site) I like this campaign as an audience member. It is not intimidating, I don’t feel I need to be rich to give. Here are my first thoughts on the campaign video.

  • After 3 minutes into the video I was sold.
  • Beautiful shots of campus, facilities, faculty admin.
  • I maintained interest throughout the entire video. (7 minutes, wow)
  • The stories were authentic and excellent.
  • It was because of the stories and what U of L is doing in the community that made me want to help.
  • The aesthetics of the video really helped support the story that needed to be told.
  • The folks being interviewed are in beautiful settings, very professional.
  • No handheld shots. 80% sure this was produced from an outside production house, U of L if you made this in house… APPLAUSE!
  • The story about U of L helping the lowest performing school in Louisville was powerful, the average income for the families at the school was a little over $12,000.
  • The data^ and stats told through the interviewee was compelling.

This video also made me think about how important it is to tell the “end or update” story of scholarship recipients. As story tellers we can get caught up in the past-the struggle of the scholar, the story before they are successful. It is important to tell your audience what the student is doing now.  People love to hear and see before and after stories, emphasizing the after and the success rooted from the university and scholarships will help expose what universities and scholarships are doing to help on an individual level.  Audiences can see in video form how their $ is being used to help students be successful.