EMP students come to rescue of non-profit

When representatives from the Springfield chapter of Habitat for Humanity came to OTC looking for help in developing a video commercial, Taylor Patterson and Corbin Livingston jumped at the opportunity.

“I said to myself, ‘I can whip something up,'” said Livingston, a student in the colleges Electronic Media Production program. Both are in the EMP capstone class on producing and directing video.

The Habitat folks had gone to other outlets looking for help in creating some commercials to promote the organizations Tool Belts and Bow Ties fund-raiser coming up in the spring.

Everyone else said no. Patterson and Livingston said sure.

“Why wouldnt you want to help?” Patterson asked.

The two students have worked together before on projects and had about a months worth of work in it. They have done commercial work for Facebook and You Tube.

The pair worked on it at school and at Livingston’s home. Livingston’s fiance did the voice over narration on the video.

“It was a busy time. They came to us in October but we had enough time to turn it in to them in November,” Livingston said.

The pair created a 90- and 30-second commercial that included voice over narration, video and photos.

“I think they turned out better than I expected,” Livingston said.

Habitat officials were tickled by the results.

“We are so grateful for everyones help at OTC,” said Brandi VanAntwerp, Development Director for local Habitat office.

“Their professionalism in producing the video, as well as creative ability went above and beyond our expectations. We are excited to share the video to promote our event through a format that has not been possible in our event’s history.”

Both students are graduating. Livingston is starting a job at television station KRBK in January.

Patterson works three jobs and is trying to get her name out to pick up some freelance work.

Livingston said he would miss OTC after graduation.

“The program helped me network with people,” he said.