Zach Marion

I wrote the following promotional article for Video Arts Studios' newsletter:

It is not very often that a project comes along that reminds me of why I chose to pursue a career in production. This was my experience working on "Through Eyes and Hearts", a video project for the Anne Carlsen Center (ACC).


In middle school, I was required to complete a service project as part of my Bar Mitzvah, working with peers who had Down Syndrome. It had been a long time since I had been around individuals with disabilities. On my first visit to the ACC, I was nervous as to how I would react or if I would feel comfortable.

Within ten minutes upon setting foot on the Jamestown campus, all of my fears were replaced with amazement. I had never been in a place that was as welcoming, friendly, understanding, and accepting. Along with the ACC's Communications Director, Lori Gress, it was my job to capture this essence and bottle it in video form. We hit the ground running.

Over the course of several months, Lori and I knocked out a demanding shooting schedule. We recorded all of the services we intended to cover through footage of staff and students interacting. We used interviews with staff members and parents to tell the story. They spoke with open hearts about their experiences with the ACC-- a testament to the intangible spirit we were trying to nail down.

Back at Video Arts Studios, we wrote scripts and then edited the footage into different lengths to suite presentation for both the web and in-person meetings; a 20-minute overview, a 10-minute overview, and 8 mini videos that each focus on a different ACC service. The Center hopes to use the videos for recruitment and orientation of new employees as well as awareness for donors and the general public.

One of the stars of the video is an adorable little boy named Sander, who has made tremendous strides since coming to the Center. As his dad puts it, "To have Sander have such huge medical challenges at such a young age, you lose those dreams. I think that we just have to be grateful because we're getting some of those dreams back."

Looking back, my initial fears seem selfish-- and to an extent, they were. My personal situation allows me to live a very me-focused life. How am I feeling today? Why am I not as happy or fulfilled as I could be? I forget to observe the simple fact that, today, right now, I am alive and well.

At the ACC, this fact is not taken for granted. The remarkable individuals that make up the ACC staff spend every day improving the lives of others. Everyday, students at the Center inspire those around them with their courage and perseverance.

This is the spirit of the Anne Carlsen Center that empowers individuals with disabilities and their families to live rich and fulfilled lives. It was an honor and a privilege for me to be a small part of the Anne Carlsen Center's great legacy.

A few weeks ago, I won a national award for a pair of spots I wrote and produced. Here's the official press release from Video Arts Studios, the production company where I work:

On September 8th, the Fargo Police Department (FPD) won the Silver Circle Award at the 3CMA Savvy Awards competition at a ceremony in Austin, TX for their "Are you getting it now?" distracted driving campaign.



In the company of 500 entries, the FPD was awarded the second place prize in the category of Public Service Announcement. Public Relations Representative for the FPD, Tara Morris, was on hand to accept the prize.


"At the time, we needed to respond quickly with a message that cut through to the public," Officer Morris said. "Video Arts made the process affordable and effortless, bringing our collective vision to life. We couldn't be happier with the partnership and are truly honored to be recognized nationally for our work."





Entries were judged by local government and marketing officials on overall creativity, quality of content, design and production, and budget. The following judges comments accompanied the winning announcement: "Wow! [These] spots are each individual in their message and delivery but all stark in their frank messaging that distracted driving results in death. Special effects of the kid running in front of a speeding vehicle with a texting driver was particularly jarring (especially for parents).

Video Arts Studios is proud to be associated with the Fargo Police Department and congratulate them on a fantastic accomplishment!"