Finalist in National Competition
PRESS RELEASE: Vermont Court Diversion Video is Finalist in National Competition
Selected in Web Category in Media for a Just Society Awards
The Vermont Association of Court Diversion Programs’ new web video called Vermont Court Diversion has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Media for a Just Society Awards from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD). The 9-minute illustrated video is one of three finalists in the Web category.
The Vermont Court Diversion video is a speeded-up illustration telling the story of how Court Diversion works, who is eligible, and how it benefits the entire community. It was written, directed and edited by Andrea Grayson of the Grayson Group, a Social Change Marketing company in Charlotte, VT, and illustrated by Matt Heywood of The Image Farm, a design and illustration firm in Middlebury, VT.
Jon Kidde, who spearheaded the project for the Vermont Association of Court Diversion Programs, a division of the State Attorney’s office, selected the illustrated video approach because of the engaging style and the ability to communicate a lot of information in a short period of time. “We had been looking to do a video for the new website that would tell the story of Court Diversion in an engaging way for families and for prospective volunteer members,” explains Kidde, “and this approach fit that goal perfectly.”
Making an illustrated video is a multi-step process, explains Andrea Grayson, the video’s producer. “The first step is always learning enough about the subject to write a compelling script, and often is a collaborative process with the client since they are the experts. Once we have a script, illustrator Matt Heywood and I sit down for long brainstorming sessions, where we try out different approaches to visualizing the material, figuring out what will enhance the meaning the most. Then we present a storyboard to the client, make changes based on feedback, and then make a master spreadsheet of every drawing that needs to be made. We then record a voice-over, shoot the illustrations on an enormous white board, and then speed up the drawings while editing to match the narration. Music and sound effects are worked into the post-production process in several stages. It’s definitely a very creative and collaborative process.”
A panel of distinguished judges is currently reviewing the three finalists in each category and will choose one winner. The winners will be announced this summer and will be recognized at a ceremony in San Francisco on October 2nd.
The Media for Just Society Awards are the only national recognition of media whose work furthers public understanding of criminal justice, juvenile justice, child welfare and adult protection issues. NCCD promotes just and equitable social systems for individuals, families, and communities through research, public policy and practice.
