Columbia, SC (June 16, 2004): Many of you will soon begin to see the “fruits of labor” of some South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) scholarship recipients. The SCEL and the University of South Carolina’s (USC) Media Arts program are co-producing their first commercial. It’s all a part of an outreach program at USC. Some of the students participating are on lottery-funded scholarships.
Heidi Mehltretter, a Media Arts professor at USC, approached the SCEL’s Advertising Department about having students enrolled in one of her classes pitch advertising ideas to the agency. Eight teams were derived from the group of students. The venture was associated with the students’ “end of the year” project.
“I spoke to the class about advertising guidelines clients usually look for,” said Carl Jackson, SCEL’s broadcast producer. “I also mentioned some of the upcoming projects the SCEL is embarking upon.”
The eight teams proposed at least two ideas. Four of the teams were chosen to present their ideas before SCEL staff.
“We wanted them to get a grasp of what it’s like in the real world of advertising and commercial film production,” said Mehltretter. “Each group of students designed and prepared story boards for their proposed commercial spots. Their presentations to the SCEL staff were thorough and professional. I’m very proud of all of them.”
“If this is any indication of the kind of talents these students have to offer, I can only imagine the number of offers they will receive after graduation,” said Ernie Passailaigue, SCEL’s executive director.
SCEL’s staff was pleased with all of the four teams’ ideas and the first commercial will be filmed this week.
“After the biding process, Take 10 Productions won the bid to film the four commercials,” said Brian Rish, SCEL’s Advertising Manager. “The students will be actively involved in the process as production assistants and have the opportunity to shadow a professional film crew.”
“I look forward to continuing this relationship with the lottery,” said Mehltretter.
The filming will take place in the Columbia area from June 17-19. For details on the locations and times, please contact the SCEL’s Public Relations Department at 803-737-2002.
The SCEL will seek opportunities to conduct similar projects with other colleges and universities in South Carolina in the future.
###
Heidi Mehltretter, a Media Arts professor at USC, approached the SCEL’s Advertising Department about having students enrolled in one of her classes pitch advertising ideas to the agency. Eight teams were derived from the group of students. The venture was associated with the students’ “end of the year” project.
“I spoke to the class about advertising guidelines clients usually look for,” said Carl Jackson, SCEL’s broadcast producer. “I also mentioned some of the upcoming projects the SCEL is embarking upon.”
The eight teams proposed at least two ideas. Four of the teams were chosen to present their ideas before SCEL staff.
“We wanted them to get a grasp of what it’s like in the real world of advertising and commercial film production,” said Mehltretter. “Each group of students designed and prepared story boards for their proposed commercial spots. Their presentations to the SCEL staff were thorough and professional. I’m very proud of all of them.”
“If this is any indication of the kind of talents these students have to offer, I can only imagine the number of offers they will receive after graduation,” said Ernie Passailaigue, SCEL’s executive director.
SCEL’s staff was pleased with all of the four teams’ ideas and the first commercial will be filmed this week.
“After the biding process, Take 10 Productions won the bid to film the four commercials,” said Brian Rish, SCEL’s Advertising Manager. “The students will be actively involved in the process as production assistants and have the opportunity to shadow a professional film crew.”
“I look forward to continuing this relationship with the lottery,” said Mehltretter.
The filming will take place in the Columbia area from June 17-19. For details on the locations and times, please contact the SCEL’s Public Relations Department at 803-737-2002.
The SCEL will seek opportunities to conduct similar projects with other colleges and universities in South Carolina in the future.
###
599