August 14, 2004

Moving into professional arena

By Bill Choy
Ashland Daily Tidings

In a darkened editing room, Daniel Tharp was glued to his computer screen as he carefully made last-minute changes to a television commercial he has spent months completing.

Tharp, 21, a Southern Oregon University senior, has made three commercials for the university that will begin running on Rogue Valley Television (RVTV), by the end of this month as part of his practicum project. They may eventually run on local broadcast channels in the near future.

Tharp jumped at the chance when he was approached to do the commercials.

Each commercial features testimonials from SOU students, combined with highlights of the

Southern Oregon UNiversity Student Daniel Tharp edits a commercial he made to run on Rogue Valley Television. Bill Choy | Ashland Daily Tidings

university such as graduation and sporting events.

"I've done videos for myself and for class, but this has allowed me to gain more professional experience and learn first-hand what it takes to make a commercial in a professional environment," he said. "It's been great to work with everyone on a united vision for the commercials."

Tharp worked closely with SOU video production instructor Howard Sheriber, Mark Chilcoat, coordinator of the video production department at SOU, along with SOU Public Relations Coordinator Christina Dunlap, a producer on the commercials.

He said their suggestions, comments, and critiques were invaluable.

"They give me advice, support and constructive criticism," he said. "I really appreciate the suggestions from professionals who know the business. This has certainty helped me have an first-hand understanding of what it takes to do this job on a professional level."

Chilcoat said it's important for video production students to branch out and work on professional projects like this and at RVTV.

"The work he has done has resulted in a nice piece for the university," he said. "It's teaching him the importance of being a professional in your work and to do your very best and getting feedback from others."

This was the first year the university has recruited a student to do a commercial. Dunlap said it helps utilize the resources of the video production students and RVTV that are available to SOU.

She was pleased with how Tharp's work has come out.

"I think he's done a great job and was very professional," she said. "It gave him a chance to work on a professional project, working with others, and helping express another person's vision. I'm very happy with the end product."

Tharp, who started on the commercials in April, said he spent countless hours conducting interviews and going around the campus filming day-to-day activities and events.

While it was time-consuming juggling so many different aspects of putting the commercial together, Tharp said the hands-on experience was invaluable.

One challenge for Tharp was being able to mix all the footage he took and be able to tell a story in a short period of time.

"It was really hard to try to convey everything in a 30 second commercial," he said. But through many hours of editing and tweaking, Tharp is pleased with how the end product has looked.

After graduation, he hopes to continue his video production work in either commercials or in film.