Video promotes safety while at work
Mackenzie Mountain School student wins regional safety contest
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, May 26, 2014
LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS
A Mackenzie Mountain School student in Norman Wells is the regional winner of a workplace safety video competition.
Grade 10 student Sonya Wall's video was selected as the Northwest Territories and Nunavut winner of the It's Your Job contest, sponsored by Workers' Safety Compensation Commission.
The video, titled Bad Janitor, highlights the importance of workplace safety, said Wall.
In the video, which was created with the help of fellow drama club members, a janitor fails to put up wet floor signs while mopping and leaves garbage cans in the hallway while sweeping, creating an unsafe environment for students and staff.
"The janitor was cleaning, but he was doing it really dangerously and he was kind of making obstacles for the students and making it dangerous for them," Wall explained. "They could slip on something or trip on stuff. He talks to the principal and they go on a mission to make sure everything is safe for the school."
After the "Theme from Rocky" plays and hazards are corrected, the janitor is declared employee of the month.
Wall said it was her first time behind the camera.
"It's the first one I've ever done," she said. "I've never actually been in a film or directed one."
She said she learned how to use the school's video equipment, including iMovie editing software.
Principal Michael Duclos, who is also the school's drama teacher and played the role of principal in the film.
He said Wall is an exemplary student.
"She's a really great student," he said. "She tries hard, completes her work and she has a really friendly and fun attitude."
Duclos said he received information about the contest and encouraged students to create videos. In addition to iMovie, Wall also learned how to use the basics of Final Cut Pro, a more advanced editing program. He said learning how to use video cameras and editing equipment at the school provides students with a base, which they can later expand on.
"I think they're things they can use throughout their lives," he said. "If they want to get into a career in audio/video, they're skills they're going to need."
Students are already talking about video ideas for other contests, such as the Canadian Dermatology Association's Sun. Camera. Action! competition, which has youth create videos on sun safety.
"It was a really fun project and we're hoping to submit a few other videos this year," Duclos said. "The kids seemed pretty keen on wanting to keep going with videos."
Wall's video earned her $1,000, as well as $1,000 for the school. The school's portion will be used to purchase new video equipment, said Wall.
Duclos said last year, the school fundraised for equipment to establish a television arts class and a photography class at the school. By asking local businesses and organizations for donations, students were able to raise about $13,000.
"We wanted to offer more technologically-advanced classes," Duclos said.
The $1,000 Wall earned with her video will be used toward expanding the equipment available to students.
"We want to keep building on the equipment we have," Duclos said.
Wall's film has also been entered in the national competition and the winners will be announced later this month.
Wall said she hasn't yet decided what she will put the majority of her winnings toward just yet, but she said she knows one thing for sure.
"All I know is that I'm taking everyone who helped me with the video for lunch," she said.
