From left: ‘Iolani School communications department team members Haryson Lum, John Tamanaha, and
Cathy Lee Chong, with 1001 Stories production company Kaeo Kepani and Johnathan Walk. Courtesy of AAF Hawaii
With the launch of ‘Iolani School’s boarding and summer residential programs, Timothy Cottrell, head of school, decided to commission two videos that would convey the culture, educational philosophy, legacy of excellence, and direction of the school. He wanted to reach families in Hawaii as well as around the world with the school’s global message.
Cathy Lee Chong, the school’s director of communications, was referred to Walk and his Hawaii-based production company 1001 Stories by the school’s art director, Leigh Morrison. The company’s clients have included Adidas, Sports Illustrated, BMW, Lamborghini, and Oprah Magazine.
Walk graduated from ‘Iolani in 2005 but had been out of touch with the school for more than 10 years. As he began working on the videos, he “was able to see ‘Iolani with a fresh perspective while also having a deep personal appreciation for the exceptional teaching and care that takes place here,” Chong says. “I think that understanding provided him with valuable insight as he created the first film for us.”
For “Together as One,” Walk talked to teachers, visited classrooms, and met with students. For the innovation video, he filmed three school representatives: an alumnus and Apple Fellow, an ‘Iolani parent and Microsoft educator, and a recent graduate. They shared their thoughts on innovation, the future of education, and learning at ‘Iolani.
The videos, which are posted on YouTube, Facebook, and WeChat, serve as recruitment tools for the boarding and day programs, both of which have seen an uptick in applicants. The school’s communication and audio-visual department added subtitles in Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean.
At the American Advertising Federation District 13 competition last spring, “Together as One” took home the gold award in the Online Film, Video and Sound Single Spot category, and “Educating the Next Generation of Innovators” nabbed gold for Branded Content and Entertainment for Online Film, Video and Sound.
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