Green Dot Schools

When Green Dot Schools approached me about creating a series of spots as the centerpiece of their #NextGreatAmerican campaign, I was immediately excited about the challenge.

We decided to focus on two extraordinary people with humble beginnings who went on to become great Americans.

The first was Ruben Salazar - a civil rights activist and the first Mexican-American journalist from mainstream media to cover the Chicano community. He was killed during a demonstration in 1970 but his life and story have inspired millions of people since then.

The second was Evelyn Granville - a brilliant mathematician who made history in the early 1960s with her contributions to the NASA program. In fact her story is featured in the oscar-nominated film ‘Hidden Figures’, which shines a light on inspiring Americans who haven't been recognized for far too long.

I wrote a spot that began in her youth and culminated in her achievements at NASA. But a period shoot on a limited budget - how could we ever pull this off in a visually compelling way? By clever use of locations, production design, and the magic of cinema.

Role
CD, Director, Editor

Client
Green Dot Schools

Project Lead / ECD
Douglas Weston

Producer
Jen Enfield-Kane

Director of Photography
Milton Santiago

Production Design
Amelia Steeley