My company recently had the pleasure of filming a promotional video for a great non-profit preschool (yes, an actual 501(c)(3) preschool). I had met the director of the Adam J. Lewis Preschool, Julie Mombello, during a totally unrelated project the year before. And by "totally unrelated," I mean she was tearing up the dance floor at a Dancing With the Stars style fundraiser.
I met up with Julie and the founder of the school, Patty Lewis, at a cozy Bridgeport, CT restaurant to go over my ideas and kick off pre-production. It was immediately apparent how much knowledge and passion both women have for early childhood development, and it got me pumped up. Going in, I had next to no understanding of what preschool was really about. Group babysitting, right? After half an hour with Julie and Patty, my mind was changed.
Once we were at the school with the kids, I saw the critical importance of preschool with my own eyes. These children will be at a real advantage when it is time for kindergarten, having developed the basics of social skills, teamwork and even mathematics.
I had never filmed with so many little kids before, so I called a friend who teaches preschool in New Jersey for tips. The most useful was the line, "Can you show me how you..." followed by whatever action I needed for the shot. Tell a four-year-old not to look at the camera and you know exactly what they will do. These kids were bright, eager and so cute, and they made for good on-screen talent once they were engrossed in a task. Special thanks to Pam, our official Technical Advisor on this project, and to my production assistant Diana, who doubled as a behind-the-scenes photographer that day.
The final video premiered at a fundraising event, was very well received, and lives on the school's YouTube page, where it continues to show families around the world the real value preschool has on children's development. I am really proud to have been a part of it.