by Mike Knaak
Mark Amundson and Tyler Braegelmann piloted a drone down the long aisles of the manufacturing floor at Northern Metal Products, capturing video for their latest project. The students in Joe Schulte’s advanced video production at Sartell High School class are working with the custom metal fabricator to produce a virtual video tour.
The school’s partnership with the St. Cloud company offers the students hands-on experience working with a client, and the company will receive a high-quality video for prospective customers.
Students take away two values from the capstone project.
“The students use a lot of different technology that’s available to them to tell a story,” Schulte said. “It’s a client based-project, and the client puts value on it. They don’t realize what they are worth or what their talent is worth. You made a thing of value for someone else.”
Chad Gertken, vice president of business development, said Northern Metal wanted a way to reach customers while COVID-19 restrictions limit in-person visits. Northern Metal has a long-standing relationship with the high school that includes donating metals to the students to use in class.
Amundson said the students learn to work with the equipment and technology first and then produce increasingly more challenging projects. Working with a client, Amundson says, teaches skills that are applicable to real life.
“You have to be organized,” Amundson said. “It’s helped with our communication skilsl and talking to clients – accurate communicating what we can do, what they want. It’s good team-work learning.”
“It’s taught us how to work in a professional sense,” student Evan Flores said. “We have deadlines, and we tailor the project to their needs. We talked with Northern Metal about what they wanted and prepared a shot list.”
Gertken lead the students through the factory to capture dozens of shots on the list. Students mainly used iPhones cradled in a stabilizing device called a gimbal instead of a full-size video camera.
“We still have studio cameras, but what’s in your pocket is better than the studio camera,” Schulte said.
To augment the drone and iPhone video, one student photographed while being pulled through the shop on a skateboard.
“We blow up all the rules and get great stuff,” Schulte said.
Preparation for shooting not only required discussions with Northern Metal and preparing a shot list. Before they launched the drone in the factory, the team practiced in the school gym to sharpen their skills by accurately flying the drone along a pattern.
“The drone handles really well,” Flores said.
Next, Amundson and Flores edited more than 100 video clips, audio interviews and royalty-free music on the way to a finished three-to-four minute project.
Schulte said the 16 students in the class produce a project for a client. Other students made a music video for a band and videos for the Central Minnesota Builders Association.
After seeing the completed project, Schulte’s comments praised the students.
“You’ve created something of great value to others, which is normally how you get rich,” Schulte wrote to the students. “While you may not be making bank on this project, it is my hope that you will see true benefits like referrals, connections, opportunities and doors opened.”
After high school, Amundson may continue video production as a hobby but he’s considering a career as a mechanical engineer. Fellow senior Flores plans a career as an electrician.
Beyond the video project, Northern Metal will continue its relationship with the high school’s technology advisory board, donate materials and bring students in for internships who are interested in technology careers such as welding, Gertken said.
To see the Northern Metal video, visit thenewsleaders.com.
Schulte said the 16 students in the class produce a project for a client. Other students made a music video for a band and videos for the Central Minnesota Builders Association.
After seeing the completed project, Schulte’s comments praised the students.
“You’ve created something of great value to others, which is normally how you get rich,” Schulte wrote to the students. “While you may not be making bank on this project, it is my hope that you will see true benefits like referrals, connections, opportunities and doors opened.”
After high school, Amundson may continue video production as a hobby but he’s considering a career as a mechanical engineer. Fellow senior Flores plans a career as an electrician.
Beyond the video project, Northern Metal will continue its relationship with the high school’s technology advisory board, donate materials and bring students in for internships who are interested in technology careers such as welding, Gertken said.
Sartell High School student Tyler Braegelmann records video at Northern Metal Products for a project his team is producing for the custom metal fabricator.