The video features a poignant, scripted voice-over narration that highlights the mission and vision of the institute, paired with dynamic footage of students engaged in a wide range of activities across the Rice campus.
To further reinforce the institute’s branding, composited graphics are seamlessly integrated throughout the video, creating a cohesive and visually striking narrative that inspires and informs viewers about the unique opportunities the Doerr Institute offers to emerging leaders.
We developed several different concepts to highlight the ways Doerr helps all students develop their own individual skills. It was important to emphasize that leadership comes in many forms and that anyone can be a leader in their own domain.
We organized filming with students on campus during the summer session in preparation for the video’s release at fall orientation. We emphasized diversity and the interconnectedness of the community, despite variation in academic goals.
Put it all together and what’ve you got? Not, bippity boppity boo, so much as a nice story that still needs color, graphics, and audio balancing. Our team added branded graphics to provide extra visual pop and really make it sing.
Our primary goal was to showcase the transformative impact of their leadership program in a way that would resonate with new students during Orientation Week in Fall 2024.
The film needed to capture the essence of the Doerr Institute’s mission—empowering students to develop as leaders regardless of their background or field of study.
We aimed to create an inspiring narrative that highlights real student experiences, emphasizing personal growth and the diverse opportunities available through the institute’s programs.
Ultimately, the project was designed to be more than just an introduction—it was meant to ignite interest and encourage students to actively seek out leadership development opportunities during their time at Rice.
We began with an in-depth pre-production phase focused on truly understanding the audience: incoming Rice University students.
To achieve this, we conducted a series of concept meetings, diving into what excites and motivates students as they embark on their journey at Rice.
We crafted a script that spoke directly from the perspective of a new student, echoing the thoughts, aspirations, and uncertainties many experience when stepping onto campus for the first time.
The narrative positioned the Doerr Institute as a launch pad—not only for academic success but for shaping long-term leadership skills that could propel students forward in their careers and life beyond Rice.
Our film resonated with a young audience of new students during Orientation Week, capturing their attention and generating interest in the Institute’s offerings.
By focusing on a narrative that spoke directly from a student’s perspective, we were able to create a relatable and engaging experience that sparked curiosity.
The video was widely shared across campus. This visibility helped spread the word about the Doerr Institute, introducing it as a key resource for leadership training that can influence both students’ time at Rice and their future careers.
Beyond its immediate success at Orientation, the video continued to serve as a valuable tool for outreach, helping the Doerr Institute extend its reach and reinforce its role in shaping the world’s future leaders.
For a shoot with so many moving parts it was important to get the lay of the land and know all of our load in/load out procedures, travel time between locations, lighting at each location throughout the day, and mitigate any potential issues.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“I would happily give Cut to Create a million stars if I could. I had a marketing concept for our video project and they exceeded my wildest expectations. Working with them was easy, efficient, creative, and fun. They took our ideas and turned them into a beautiful and professional narrative that showcased everything about our Institute. Highly recommend them.”
Enjoy a little behind the scenes!
