Every commercial is trying to sell you something. But what if you had to make a commercial that sold an entire state?
Several Tisch graduate students were asked to do just that.
I LOVE NEW YORK, the state's central tourist campaign, paired with ProMotion Pictures and several NYU students to create four promotional films about the Empire State.
Through the Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Department, the students got the chance to create and produce short films that advertised four separate areas of the state: "Crush" for the Niagara and Allegheny regions, "Nuts for New York" for Central New York, "Nation in Crisis" for the Finger Lake region, and "Love in NY" for Long Island and New York City.
Tisch and Stern students came together to form teams and submit ideas for their short films. Finalists present their proposals to Empire State Development, Moxie Pictures and ProMotion Pictures.
"We decided to work with Tisch because of their incredible reputation as one of the nation's leading centers of undergraduate and graduate study in the performing and cinematic arts," said Lisa Willner, public affairs manager at Empire State Development. "They offer a great training ground for students studying the arts in New York. I LOVE NEW YORK wanted to give creative license to the students to create films that capture and help define New York State's personality differently than a traditional tourism commercial might."
These students shot these films during the summer and were able to choose the cast and production on their own. They were also able to travel upstate to Niagara Falls to get a real feel for the area.
"The project had two goals: to support the arts in New York in recognition of the 50th anniversary of state funding for the arts, and to create unique, branded entertainment for New York State tourism," Willner said.
Of the many teams that presented their concepts, three teams were selected as winners. Two of Sasie Sealy's team's films were selected. Sealy collaborated with fellow Tisch student Gabrielle Demeestere to direct their projects.
"I think the films are going to be a great addition to my team's reel," Sealy said. "Both Gabrielle and I want to direct commercials, in addition to our feature work, and it's important to have short form samples. Plus it was a great experience working with clients and a top-notch commercial production company, as well as all of our collaborators."
John Tintori, chair of the graduate film department at Tisch, sees the film project as a wonderful educational experience.
"They enter the world of advertising and marketing in a real way," he said. "It is an educational value and a real world experience. These projects are part of exit strategies for the students."
