MATTHEW
While my time working in the Film and TV industry gave me ample experience writing scripts and creating engaging narratives, I had not yet had the opportunity to write any broadcast advertising.
So, I found a campaign close to my heart and wrote two new additions to it. Then, I presented it to the leaders of the agency that had created it.
The result: The following recommendation from the agency's ECD.
Oregon Lottery - It Does Good Things - Education Funding - “The Jitters”
It’s a typical fall morning in Portland, Oregon. There are grey skies and perhaps some drizzle.
B-roll of the Portland area. Oregon sign etc. Finally narrowing in on the North Portland neighborhood and Alameda Elementary School.
A car pulls up to the school. The passenger door opens. Little feet wearing little sneakers step out. A 6-year-old BOY with angelic eyes has exited the car. He looks terrified; nervous. His MOTHER approaches. She hugs him, gives him a kiss on the cheek, and nudges him forward. He raises and shakes his shoulders as he takes in his biggest fear with a deep breath and begins walking up to the awaiting teachers, along with other students.
VO
The jitters. Yes. You remember them. The first time you walked up those stairs and through those doors; that had to have been the scariest day of your life. You wondered if the teachers were going to be nice to you and if you were gonna make any friends. The fear from the uncertainty twisted your stomach into knots.
He is greeted by a TEACHER who guides him in.
VO
But, you did it. You went in.
Close in on door shutting and on the handle.
VO
And the best things happened.
TIME LAPSE to the end of the school day. The door reopens and the same BOY emerges. Only now he is grinning from ear to ear as he exits the school. He is chatting playfully with other kids. He walks towards his mom with an overwhelming sense of joy.
VO
The teachers were nice. You made friends. You learned something new. And, you couldn’t wait to show up again the next day. Jitter-free.
They get in the car and drive off
VO
Since 1984 The Oregon Lottery has raised billions of dollars that help to pay teacher's salaries, fund building maintenance and purchase much-needed textbooks, computers, and equipment to help make that first day, and the rest of the school year run smoother for Oregonians.
(BEAT)
Oregon Lottery. It does good things.
Oregon Lottery - It Does Good Things - Willamette Falls Cleanup - “Pioneer”
Waters rushing, loudly. Reflection of the sun gleams erratically on the pools and off the white drop of the falls. It is a warm sunny day. A Senior aged WOMAN and her GRANDCHILDREN stand along the Oregon City side of the falls looking out towards the falls, and the remains of industrialization built on top of it.
B-roll of the falls continues that reflect the grandeur of the following VO as well as of the WOMAN and her GRANDCHILDREN as they take in the site.
VO
After Oregon pioneer, John Kirk Townsend first laid his eyes on Willamette Falls in 1835 he wrote, “It was a beautiful sight when viewed from a distance, but it became grand and almost sublime as we approached it nearer. I mounted the rocks and stood over the highest fall, and although the roar of the cataract was almost deafening, and the rays of the bright sun reflected from the white and glittering foam threatened to deprive me of sight, yet I became so absorbed in the contemplation of the scene, and the reflections which were involuntarily excited, as to forget everything else for the time.”
(BEAT)
VO
With nearly two centuries of industrialization having taken over Oregon’s second-largest waterfalls, Oregonians decided it was time to take back John’s vision.
The WOMAN smiles victoriously as she ponders the change that is taking place at the falls.
VO
But, before any development could begin, clean-up of contaminants left behind needed to take place.
(BEAT)
VO
60,000 dollars from the Oregon Lottery was awarded to help fund this cleanup.
The WOMAN and her GRANDCHILDREN walk away from the falls towards downtown Oregon City as we take in the enormity of the scene.
VO
Oregon Lottery. It does good things.