Fairfield students…. behind and in front of the cameras!
Lights, camera…action! Those were words heard frequently all around campus last week when three days of filming took place in classrooms, on walkways, in the library, cafeteria, and even at the beach, the train station and downtown Fairfield. In front of the cameras were three ýƵƹۿ students, Jessica Mendes ’14, Luigi DiMeglio ’14, and Olivia DiTomaso ’17, who were being individually filmed while going about their daily activities (which were anything but routine). Behind the cameras, Fairfield film majors Julian Focareta ’14, and Rayan Graham ‘14, were helping the film crew as production assistants. Other students who participated were Katie Gillette '15, Chelsea Madeira '14, and Alex Long '14.
The filming was done for a new undergraduate admission video currently in development for ýƵƹۿ by the marketing communications firm 160over90 of Philadelphia, PA. A creative and production team came to campus with lights, ladders and equipment (even an aerial camera that hovered from above) to capture the beauty, energy and moments of life at ýƵƹۿ.
Rayan Graham ‘14, a film major, got an email from Fr. Mark (Scalese) asking students if they wanted be involved with the filming of this video on campus, and he jumped at the opportunity. “It’s really been pretty cool, the crew was so open and I learned a lot," said Rayan. "The production crew gave me opportunities to get hands-on experience with the camera, with rigging, and techniques such as panning and tilting. I’ve also worked the dolly.”
“For me as a film major, it’s been good to see all the things I’ve learned get practiced in the real world,” said Julian Focareta, who worked as a production assistant during filming, and also had some time in front of the camera. “We had the Octocopter (drone helicopter with camera). There are only 10 or so of these in the world, and the guy flying it was one of the original designers.”
For Olivia DiTomaso, a communication major and one of the three main students featured in the new film, the experience was a lot of fun. "Film and video production has always been an interest of mine, so I was happy to help," she said. "It’s such a good way to get involved with the school.”
When the film crew from 160over90 returns to their editing room in Philadelphia, the video footage will be creatively woven together to tell an engaging story about life at Fairfield set to music with a bright, upbeat tempo. “Our goal in this video is to reflect the vibrancy and the sense of community that we know is at the heart of Fairfield, “says Cory McCall, creative director from 160over90, who based the film’s theme on the research done as part of the University’s current branding initiative. “We anticipate that it will generate excitement and interest among prospective students and encourage them to learn more about this dynamic University.”
The new video will be shown to prospective high school students and their parents visiting campus and attending Info Sessions. It will also be shown by admission counselors at off-campus recruitment events. “We want to extend our thanks to the many faculty members, staff and students who participated directly or indirectly in the video filming last week," said Karen Pellegrino, dean of enrollment. “This has been an exciting project and we were delighted that so many of our students could participate and get involved.”
