Montana’s First Lady Goes Green with MAPS

The summer of 2010 was a very busy time for the Ravalli County based, MAPS Media Institute http://www.mapsmediainstitute.com/ .

In late August, MAPS traveled to the Montana State University/Bozeman to shoot a thirty second public service announcement featuring Montana’s First Lady, Nancy Schweitzer, and the first dog, Jag.

The commercial is part of a larger campaign the Governor and First Lady are sponsoring about the value of studying math and science and how these studies can positively impact a green future for Montana.

“Using MAPS gives us a tool to promote math and science created for kids, by kids,” said First Lady Nancy Schweitzer. “Furthermore, MAPS students are gaining technical job skills to prepare them to compete in the 21st century.”

Written by MAPS students, Bohni Majors, Ivar Ogden and Tess Gordon, MAPS consultant and Paramount Pictures advertising executive, Jeremy Sauter, handled the re-writes. Currently in editing, the PSA is expected to air in Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and the various internet outlets including YouTube.

Also starring in the PSA were Hamilton 5th graders, Grace Kravik and JT Vineyard. The young co-stars were helpful on and off camera because one of the writing challenges was making sure the language, tone and feel would appeal to its 4th and 5th grade target audience.

“Developing this commercial with the MAPS students was a great experience,” said Jeremy Sauter. “Their creativity and professionalism is a real testament to the program and a great resource to the community.”

Shooting the spot also had its challenges. The final script required sophisticated green screen technology. To accomplish this task, MAPS hired a team from the MSU/Bozeman Film Department to supervise production. Shane Dowaliby (Producer), Nick Andrews (Director) and Logan Triplett (Director of Photography) are three senior college filmmakers and handled these chores.

"When MAPS approached us about the spot, Nick, Logan and I knew we would be working with industry professionals while also teaching younger students everything that we knew,” said Producer Shane Dowaliby. “So it was both a learning and a teaching experience for us all."

At the shoot, Ravalli County MAPS students, Garrison Wood, Bohni Majors, Erika Strong and Jake Kunkel observed and learned the high tech wizardry employed by the MSU/Bozeman team.

Also this summer, MAPS started production for another client, the Ravalli County Health Department. The projects being produced are an awareness building documentary, a thirty second PSA and an informational literature piece.

“My staff and I have really enjoyed our experience with MAPS,” said Ravalli County Head Nurse, Judy Griffin. “The health of Ravalli County citizens is very important to the well being of the community and we hope to increase awareness of the Ravalli County Public Health Department through the documentary.”

Although MAPS is paid fees for most of its projects, pro-bono work is a key component of its community relations program and this summer MAPS produced a documentary for the Corvallis Chapter of the American Legion. Supervised by MAPS student and graduate, Erin Belmont, the documentary commenced photography on May 31st during the Corvallis Veterans Memorial Day parade.

“MAPS is fortunate to attract fee-paying clients and this income enables us to pay students for their work,” said MAPS President, Peter Rosten. “Fees also allow us to do jobs for free and when the Corvallis American Legion Post 91 asked us to shoot their parade, we were honored to do so.”