Granting Willey’s wish
NPHS provides students with more outlets to video editing
January 31, 2020
After North Platte High School video production teacher Philep Willey applied and received three grants, NPHS expanded students’ opportunity to learn by adding video production in January.
Willey helps three of his students edit their videos they were working on.
NPHS had several students return from digital media. “We had about 50 kids from digital media join video production. Digital media has had an increase in kids as well,” Willey said.
Willey’s motivation behind applying for the grants was request in more video courses for students. “There was a demand for kids to move on in video if that’s what they are interested in. We thought video production would give them another outlet,” Willey said.
In video production, the students will be able to cover more than the one unit that is offered in digital media, “Students will learn how to plan, learn some sino photography techniques, and technical skills with the equipment. We’ve got a lot of skills to cover,” Willey said.
Sophomore Richard Schroeder says that he will use the skills he is learning in this class outside of high school. “It’s a big learning experience. A lot of times at events I’m the cameraman and now I know what I’m doing and that will show,” Schroeder said.
Donations from the John Russell Applegate Fund administered by Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation and North Platte Public School Foundation sponsored the equipment needed for this class. “The grants were to help get off the ground with some professional style video equipment that they would encounter in various fields that involve video production,” Willey said..
“Mr. Reed helped with our very first grant with writing them and securing funds, and Melanie was very
This is one of the three grants Willey received to start his video production class.
instrumental in helping fill those out and helping me get them in,” Willey said.
When buying the equipment, Willey partnered with professionals in the field and also partnered with Canon. “Talking to some of those experts, they said it would be really good for our students to have their hands on the cinema camera, so they can get used to the function,” Willey said.
Willey was able to buy more than just cameras for students who are interested in audio. “We were also able to purchase the audio equipment, so the kids on that side of it can learn more about it,” Willey said.
Advanced video production has also been approved as a class for next year. “Students can hopefully work on more advanced projects and make short movies, short documentary, anything they can go a little more in-depth,” Willey said.
Senior Juan Zanguitu enjoys the techniques they are learning. “We are learning how to use premiere pro, it’s a really good software for beater production and it’s really fun to use,” Zanquitu said.
Junior Hayden Thatcher and Senior Juan Zanguitu work together to get the videos they need for their project.
When Willey first started digital media, he had never taught it but he enjoyed it. “Teaching digital media really piqued my interest. If the students are passionate about it, it makes it easier for me to be passionate about it,” Willey said.
Offering video production has opened up new outlets for students. “Video production is now a career pathway in our computer science and digital design academy,” Willey said.
Willey says video production skills are good for any career. “With so much content being consumed by Americans all the time, I think if you have a skill of making content, it will set you apart from many jobs,” he said.
