Students

LaGuardia students who produced the video on financial literacy.

For three consecutive years, LaGuardia Community College media studies students have had impressive showings at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Financial Awareness Video Competition where college students in the tri-state area were invited to produce 30-second videos on financial literacy.  In 2010, the students captured first and second place; in 2011 the college had five finalists; and in 2012 a team of LaGuardia students took the top prize.

And 2013 was no different.  Three LaGuardia student filmmakers took second place, and only after two exciting first-place run offs.

“The success of our young filmmakers in the Federal Reserve Bank
competition is just another example of the outstanding skills of our
students,” said Dr. Gail O. Mellow, president of LaGuardia.  “Our
media arts and technology programs attract first-rate students and our
extraordinary faculty are helping these young filmmakers develop the
skills needed to succeed in an extremely competitive industry.”

In the judging of this year’s contest, the judges twice voted a tie
for first place, but because there was a cash prize involved there had
to a clear winner. “They then asked for a show of hands from the
audience and we unfortunately came up short,” said a disappointed
Professor Joyce Rheuban, LaGuardia’s director of media programs.

Despite the second-place standing, Professor Rheuban said the students,
Oswald Barrios, a media studies major; Jessica M’Sihid, liberal arts:
social science and humanities major; and Christian Orellana, a media
studies major, produced a top-prize public service announcement designed
to promote financial awareness among their peers.

“In a 30-second spot, concept is everything,” she said. “The
LaGuardia team articulated their message by exploiting the space of the
frame–it was totally cinematic.”

The students’ video, titled “Texting and Credit,” is a fun piece
with a serious message.  It stresses to young adults the importance of
paying their bills on time and keeping track of their credit.  The
team’s submission was up against 34 videos submitted by students
from colleges and universities in New York, northern New Jersey and
Connecticut.

In the video, Jessica and Christian play two college students who are
busy texting each other.  As Jessica texts, a pink message bubble
appears with the words, “I just bought a phone with my credit card.”
Christian’s response, in a blue bubble, is, “You have a credit
card? Since when?”  Another pink message bubble appears, “Since I
decided to build my credit and buy a studio. Christian says it sounds
complicated, but Jessica assures him it is not. “I am working, putting
away money and paying her bills on time.” As the students end their
conversation, they look up from their phone only to discover they are
sitting on opposite ends of the same bench.

“We wanted to end the video on a light note, so we had the two actors
texting while they were only few feet away from each other,” said
Oswald.

“But,” added Jessica, “we also ended it with an important
message: ‘Know where you are with your credit. Pay your bills on time.
Be responsible.’”

Already looking forward to next year’s contest, Oswald said, “Our
team will be back to take home the prize.”