How to Create An Award-Winning Fun Video: Woodward Academy

Chosen because Woodward Academy won Silver for Fun Video in the 2024 Brilliance Awards. Amy Zarriello Morris, Woodward’s Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications, shared how this video became an award-winner.

“Kids trying to pronounce quasquicentennial. Some great expressions and outtakes. Loved the white background that really made facial expressions stand out. A good laugh at the end.”

— Brilliance Awards Judge's Comment

Can you pronounce “quasquicentennial?” Yes. That’s right. It’s the word for “125th year,” and Woodward Academy set out to celebrate theirs by asking students to pronounce “quasquicentennial” on film. The result was charming (and award-winning).

Step 1: Plan Two Projects At Once

Planning for this video began more than a year in advance in preparation for Woodward Academy’s 125th anniversary during the 2024-2025 academic term. At the same time, the Admissions Office wanted to create a welcome video for decision day in April 2024.

Amy Zarriello Morris, Woodward’s Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications, says, “The Welcome and Quasqui video shoots were combined into one day in February 2024, collaborating with Michie Turpin, a talented, trusted longtime partner of our school working in video production and still photography. The goal for the Quasqui video was to produce an engaging/fun video to get people excited about our 125th anniversary and to keep it within two minutes in length.”

 Step 2: Create a Schedule

Woodward first focused on editing the Welcome videos before turning to the Quasqui video in the spring so that it would be ready for release in August 2024 at the start of the school’s year-long 125th-anniversary celebration. They conducted three rounds of edits in the spring and summer of 2024, finalizing the Quasqui video in July 2024.

“The video serves as an anchor for our 125th anniversary webpage,” says Amy, “It was also distributed to parents, alumni, and prospective families via email and shared on social media.”

Step 3: Choose a Videographer

Woodward reports that outsourcing for professional video was a big benefit. They do not have a photographer/videographer on staff, and they already had a relationship with Michie Turpin, having worked with him for two decades. It was a bonus for the school to combine the shoot day with another video project, saving the expense of an additional shoot day.

Step 4: Advice for Small Shops

“My advice would be to choose a trusted partner to collaborate with,” says Amy. “Rates for freelance creative partners are generally more affordable than agencies. If you’re looking for creative partners, reaching out to other schools or nonprofits in your area is a great avenue, or look into the InspirED creative partners.”

Congratulations, Woodward Academy! You are brilliant!

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TEAM
Marla Goncalves, Woodward Academy, Marketing & Engagement Director
Nija Meyer, Woodward Academy, Vice President for Enrollment Management
Amy Morris, Woodward Academy, Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications
Michie Turpin, Michie Turpin Photography, Owner

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