The BYU-Hawaii Media Production Center has started a new music video series to give students the chance to share their musical abilities through high-quality production video.
Danielle Knox, a junior from California studying graphic design, said she spearheaded the idea and is in charge of the new series.
Knox said changes in the university, such as the ending of the Athletics Department, have affected the MPC; much of its content and work was based around sports games and events. She said this has been hard for her and her coworkers to accept, but “the changes are sad but motivating... This presents an opportunity for the MPC to produce more original content.”
Knox said the MPC’s goal is to produce at least four videos this semester to kick off the new series. “This project is so new to all of us, so the first few tries will present lots of learning experiences.
“We aim to have at least one new music video each month, yet we don’t want to overwhelm ourselves and produce poor content. Quality over quantity is our motto for starting out.”
The first music series video produced by the MPC featured Kristi Krause, a junior from California majoring in vocal performance. Knox and Breann Almond, a sophomore from Nevada studying graphic design, both said they learned more about delegating, planning, and improvising through this first shoot.
Part of the inspiration came from a video of student Colton Roney, a senior psychology major from California, playing his guitar and singing an original song titled “A Better Place.” It was uploaded to the MPC YouTube channel on Oct. 5, 2016 as part of the BYUH Island Sessions playlist.
Knox said, “Music and video production are both things I am passionate about. I decided to start a music series because it allows me to take my passions and instill something positive within the school and community. I think it is an awesome opportunity for students to share their talents within the school and throughout the world,” she said.
Producing a music series requires many hands, brains, and eyes, said Knox. She said she’s “extremely” grateful for the support she received for her idea and the progress the MPC has seen
through collaboration and hard work. “Everyone at the MPC jumped right on board to assist in camera and sound. We all have different strengths and we work well together to maximize on those strengths,” she said.
Almond said she mostly works with camera equipment and shooting video. She was excited about the new music series and willing to use her skills to help out. “To provide students who love music an opportunity to share their music via video and social media, is incredible. You never know who will be watching these videos and participating in the series could be an opportunity for a big break.”
Knox said, “It is so important, when attempting a project like this, to put people where their strengths are while also satisfying the needs of the project. It is all about finding the balance of the right hands and the right amount of hands.” The MP’s video series is open to students. The application can be found on the MPC’s page on the BYUH website.
Writer: Alyssa Odom