Case Study: Capturing the Impact of Student Scholarships at Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie
Project Overview
Charles Sturt University’s Port Macquarie campus sought to create two compelling scholarship videos that would showcase the profound impact of student scholarships. These videos were designed to be played at the May 2024 Scholarship Ceremony and beyond, inspiring students, donors, and staff to recognise the life-changing role that scholarships play in the university community.
The project aimed to highlight the personal journeys of scholarship recipients, their experiences at the Port Macquarie campus, and the transformative power of financial support in helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
Objectives & Key Messages
The primary goals of this video production project were to:
Showcase the impact of scholarships through real student experiences.
Inspire staff and donors to contribute to scholarship programs.
Create an emotional connection with audiences through compelling storytelling.
Encourage a sense of belonging and highlight the generosity of the Charles Sturt community.
Each student featured had a unique “why”—a powerful reason for their academic journey that was captured through interviews and on-location filming across campus.
Filming & Production Approach
We structured our production approach to maximize engagement and authenticity while ensuring a polished and professional final product:
Half-day of on-campus filming – Featuring hand-picked scholarship recipients in their element, interacting with key locations on campus that were significant to their journeys.
Heartfelt interviews – Students shared their personal experiences and the direct impact of their scholarships.
B-roll footage integration – We captured natural, in-situ footage of the students in various campus environments to enhance storytelling and emotional resonance.
Professional editing with impactful music – The videos were designed to be upbeat, celebratory, and reflective of generosity, aligning with Charles Sturt University’s tone of voice.
Deliverables
Two primary 3–3.5-minute scholarship videos for the 2024 and 2025 Scholarship Ceremonies across Charles Sturt campuses.
Multiple short-form social media cuts (30–60 seconds), including versions optimized for silent auto-play on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Raw footage handover, allowing the university to repurpose materials for future projects.
Results & Impact
The final videos were delivered ahead of schedule and made a significant impact at the Scholarship Ceremony, resonating with both attendees and the broader Charles Sturt University community. The project successfully highlighted the power of scholarships, reinforcing their role in fostering student success and motivating future donors to contribute.
Client Testimonial:
⭐ "Paddy was easy to work with—he created a positive atmosphere on filming day that was comfortable for our student talents to tell their story. He was highly responsive in communication, understanding of our creative direction, and worked hard to ensure that he delivered the videos before our due date. We were very satisfied with the final videos produced." – Caitlin Goldthorpe, Communications, Project and Support Officer, Charles Sturt University
This project demonstrated the power of authentic storytelling in inspiring action and driving community engagement. By capturing the real-life impact of scholarships, the videos have become an ongoing asset for Charles Sturt University, continuing to educate, inspire, and encourage donations for future students.
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