by Miles Jung-Kilbreath

Reporter

Streetsboro -- Travelers along the Ohio turnpike looking to make an extra stop on their journey will now be courted to visit Streetsboro after high school senior Ben Claussen created a 30-second television advertisement that will be aired at turnpike three rest plazas over the next year.

"This is the best project that has ever come out of [the TV production class]. This is an example of a real-life application to the classes we teach here," said Streetsboro High School TV Production teacher Tom Fesemyer at a March 13 School Board meeting.

Claussen edited the video over two days and was sponsored by the Streetsboro Visitors and Convention Bureau The spot will run at the Portage, Vermilion and Great Lakes rest area plazas along the turnpike.

Fesemyer said VCB Director Lisa Wild approached students at the TV production class, which manages Channel 16 on Time Warner Cable in the city, about two months ago to create the commercial.

"I've seen the commercial, and I think that he did a fabulous job on it," said Wild.

Claussen said he first started editing video as part of a project for his freshman drama class, which he did without any prior experience. He then entered the TV production class in his sophomore year creating computer intros for the school's TV club that he still thinks look "sweet" a few years later.

Claussen said he made to cuts of the commercial, remaking final one when the class received new computers and a new professional editing program, which Fesemyer said was paid for through funds received following the passage of the November five-year, 5.1-mill combined levy.

Fesemyer said Claussen was able to recreate the commercial over a weekend outside of class time.

"We've had this class since 1998, and technology has changed dramatically since then," Fesemyer said. "This is the first time I have had a budget to deal, thanks to the [November] levy passing."

Claussen said the script for the commercial, which focuses on the hotels, restaurants and shopping centers in the city, was provided by Wild with WSTB general manager Bob Long providing narration for the spot.

At Channel 16, Claussen said he works on both live events and edits pre-taped programs for air, such as band and choir concerts.

Claussen said the video will need a little re-editing since some images don't comply with "no-compete clauses" in the turnpike's contracts with others advertising at the rest areas.

"Since it's the winter and we just had all this snow, I had to work with the pictures I was given," Claussen said. "We couldn't go and take new pictures in the winter."

Claussen said he will be attending the University of Akron in the fall and will either be majoring in video production or computer networking.

"I'm going to miss him when he's not here next year," said Fesemyer. "Many people here are going to miss him."

The Board of Education recognized Claussen's commercial at a Board meeting with a certificate of recognition.

E-mail:
mjung-kilbreath@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3942