In lieu of its traditional holiday gift giving, Ditch Edit in Minneapolis opted to support a local school, Maxfield Elementary, through a program called Adopt-A-Classroom. The charity provides teachers with funding for their students. Many of these teachers spend their own money to buy supplies for their students. And while many teachers will continue to dip into their own pockets, Adopt-A-Classroom at least helps them in terms of providing some much needed resources. At Maxfield, many of the students are disadvantaged, with 95 percent of them living at or below the poverty level. Many of the students have experienced homelessness at one time or another.
This video produced by Ditch Edit introduces us to Maxfield Elementary and the Adopt-A-Classroom program.
Credits
Client Adopt-A-Classroom Production Maya Khaira, director; Leah Rogers, assistant director; Brody Howard, Eric Brusven, executive producers; Conor Lawrence, producer; Jules Ameel, DP; Martin Wheeler, 2nd camera; Stephen Maturen, photographer; Tanner Chergosky, camera PA; Eve Martin, PA. Audio PJ Mack Editorial Ditch Ben Thompson, editor; Leah Rogers, sr. post producer; Jennie Elkstrand, associate post producer. Music Grey Ghost Music Audio Mix Jack&Dorothy, Inc. Lighting & Grip Tasty Lighting. Camera Equipment Cinemechanics & Micah Kvidt Productions
The Ad Council, partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and AdoptUSKids, launched a public service campaign, created pro bono by Edelman, which aims to inspire prospective parents to consider adopting a teen from foster care.
This centerpiece PSA titled “The Rewards”--directed by The Hudson Dusters (Michael Kuhn and Niles Roth) via Greenpoint Pictures--spotlights real adoptive families who have personally experienced the mutual benefits of adoption. This longer form PSA (and cutdown versions) begins with a touching display of openness and vulnerability as adoptive parents reflect on their adoption journeys and their initial questions and hesitations about adopting a teen. Then, in a deeply emotional turn, the adoptive parents witness their children recounting the profound rewards of adoption in their lives. The teens speak of the love they share with their parents and how the decision to become a family is reciprocal. The campaign directs viewers to the AdoptUSKids website to learn more about adopting a teen from foster care.
