Faculty Stories that Inspired
Record Enrollment
Creative Strategy, Direction, Production
The University at Buffalo is New York's number one public university. Populated by an international student body and an exceptional faculty that includes world-renowned researchers. Working alongside the UB communications team we were tasked to build upon the university’s reputation and elevate brand awareness to prospective students, through the lens of the outstanding faculty that make UB an exceptional public university.
Having only 60 seconds of canvas always has its challenges. Especially with unscripted work and non-actors. In order to gain the appropriate level of context and understanding of the researchers, we set up meetings with each. This process involved a weeks-long effort of in-person interviews, in-depth discussions, and tours of facilities. This was a critical part of the process and what allowed us to narrow in on each narrative before we even began production.
Production was no small feat. We had limited time, inflexible resources and a massive physical space to navigate. 3 Days, 8 Locations, 3 campuses, and 15 crew members made it all come together.
One of the most recognized scenes in the PSA is that of Glaciologist Kristin Poinar. During our interview and facility tour she showed us incredible visuals of data, videos and photos of her research on the Greenland Ice Sheet. With an intentional composition, some visual effects, and a chance lake effect snow storm, we were able to recreate her working on the Greenland Ice Sheet. Take a peak behind the scenes to see how we pulled this off.
The PSA, its versions and updates have been a part of promoting the UB brand to the community at large as well as to prospective students for over 2 years. During this time UB has experienced and continues to experience record enrollment. Over 30,000 students are enrolled as of 2022, a number never before achieved.
- Creative Concept & Pitch
- Account Management
- Administration & Logistics
- Led Post Production
- Talent Interviews & Management
- Asset management & Delivery
- 2nd Unit Cinematographer
- Assisted Motion Graphics/VFX
- Creative Concept & Pitch
- Account Management
- Production Directing
- Administration & Logistics
- Led Post Production
- Writing
- Talent Interviews & Management
- Asset management & Delivery
- 2nd Unit Cinematographer
- Assisted Motion Graphics/VFX
Check out this quick video that gives a peak behind-the-scenes into the production process. This production was shot over 3 consecutive 10hr days, on multiple campuses at the University at Buffalo.
BTS Video created by UB staff Douglas Levere.
