Founded in 2014, Minerva Schools is designed around a new vision of higher education that combines a reinvented curriculum, rigorous academic standards, innovative technology, and an immersive global experience. Students study in seven different cities over the course of four years, including San Francisco, Buenos Aires, Berlin, and Mumbai.
This short film is the first in the “Global Immersion” series that highlights the co-curricular and location-based activities that define the unique Minerva experience. The film highlights the intensity of classwork as it extends into the urban fabric, and provides an intimate look into the cosmopolitan centers of residential student life.
About the Film
Produced by Hida Visuals Inc, and directed in partnership with Jessey Dearing, Global Immersion: San Francisco is a fast-paced, energy-infused, 3.5-minute short film. Published on the homepage of Minerva Schools’ website, its release coincided with the admission notifications to prospective students of the upcoming 2015 academic year.
In order to achieve the authentic, cinematic documentary style demanded by Minerva, we assembled a team of highly talented cinematographers with a strong background in visual journalism. Weeks of pre-production proved essential to manage the complex timing and logistics of 3 shooters, 1 photographer, and nearly 15 activities spread across San Francisco over a 36-hour period. In addition, we managed and directed user-generated content from 10 Minerva students who self-documented their day using Sony video cameras. Under tight deadline, post-production was accomplished by a team of two editors, which resulted in the early delivery of the film.
The film strikes a fine balance between informative and exciting that highlights the academic rigors of the Minerva curriculum, the immersive nature of co-curricular and location-based experiences, and the dynamics of an intimate student community.
Credits
Directors: Andrew Hida, Jessey Dearing
Executive Producer: Andrew Hida
Director of Photography: Jessey Dearing
Cinematography: Jessey Dearing, Jon Kasbe, Bob Miller
Editors: Jessey Dearing, Andrew Hida
Composer: Jim Greer
Photography: Bob Miller
Photo Retouching: Michael Curry
Client Side Producer: Jules Shell
Client feedback
“Andrew and Jessey approached our project with a professional but brilliant artistic sensibility. They listened, did their homework, asked a million questions, listened some more and helped us push the envelope with new and innovative approaches to telling the Minerva story. Andrew & Jessey nailed it on the first rough cut (which is very rare in the editing world) and worked hard to incorporate and address our feedback and concerns. The result was a stunningly beautiful short film – delivered on time!”
— Jules Shell, Sensory Experience Director, Minerva Schools at KGI