Short Promotional Video by Cassandra Johnson
Invitation Through Music
Overview
A short promotional video in collaboration with, and for, Mt Pleasant First Church of Christ. It uses the topic of music as an invitation for worship services, and into the church.
Logo for the Mt Pleasant First Church of Christ
Purpose
At a basic level, this video is meant to encourage more people to visit the church. The church community is friendly, and willing to meet and help others in any way they can. They want to be someone who others can talk to and rely on, even if they are not part of the community. This video will use music as a connecting piece. Music is something that humans have in common, making it a topic or subject that can connect people.
The Process
Outreach
I had been going to the church with my friends, who worked there leading the music part of services. I could tell he had a passion for music (seeing as he also was a Music major in college), and wanted to use that. I initially brought it up to him, to which he almost immediately said ‘yes’ to helping me with. He brought it up with church ministry members, where the initial idea was well-received.
Feedback
When creating something with another group, it is important to get feedback from them. Although I prefer face-to-face discussion, that was difficult, being that I was busy, being in my last semester before graduation. So instead, I created a simple survey, based on a few short clips, that people could complete as their schedule allowed. There, I also provided space for additional feedback that may have not fallen under the existing questions.
Interview
At the time, I needed approximately four interviews, of which I had two already planned. The other two were selected from those who were in-office on the main recording day, who were also okay with appearing on camera. Thanks to the college’s rental system, I was able to make the most with the resources available to a college student with a very small budget.
Post-Production
Editing all of the interviews into a coherent story, of course, has its challenges. You have all this footage, now it needs to be organized in such a way that it makes sense. I find it fun when you go through footage and see ideas that connect, from different interviews. Thanks to a friend, who works with music, I was able to secure music and sound help as I needed it. With his help, I was able to make a decent setup for the interviews.
Senior Biography
Coming from near the "pinky" of Michigan, Cas graduated high school in 2020, facing a difficult few years of college as covid spread. Within her four years at college, she found a passion in digital media, favoriting podcasting and post-production. She also has a passion for history, with an interest in the pre-20th century world.
After college, she will have a major in New Media and a minor in History. From there, she wishes to find a position where she can apply her learning to podcasts and/or post-production.
