Meet our new Video Production teacher and Marketing Specialist—Mr. Olson
SMIC-I proudly welcomes Mr. Kevin Olson as a new video production teacher and first technological marketing specialist. In an exclusive interview, Mr. Olson talks about his filmmaking processes, unique teaching styles, and marketing strategies.
Raised in Wyoming and graduated from Arizona State University, he began his teaching career in 2008 educating computer, marketing, and video. During his studies at his college, Mr. Patrick Farrlley (former History and Social Studies Department Head of SMIC-I) showcased SMIC-I, and introduced Mr. Olson to our community. With the intention to raise his children as global citizens and with interest in traveling and teaching abroad, Shanghai had been an ideal location for Mr. Olson and his family. SMIC-I’s “emphasis on community,” and how he can “come and contribute” instead of being the “cookie cutter standard” attracted him and his wife the most.
Mr. Olson and his family in Heikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE Photo Courtesy of Mr. Olson
Unlike previous video production teachers, he “teaches [it] a foreign language,” focusing on “teaching kids how to use video as a way to express themselves and communicate.” Although there were some difficulties regarding the computer lab, it was resolved quickly and smoothly.
In terms of marketing, Mr. Olson replied that due to modern digital tools and social media, it is more “intangible.” He selects clips of documented footage that presents “all the good things about SMIC-I,” and displays it on the billboard outside. His main goal is to “help students realize what a great place this is; and be proud and celebrate the cool things going on here.” To promote this school’s exclusivity, he uses a “story telling” method to show parents and teachers the overall atmosphere of SMIC-I that they cannot observe in parent-teacher conferences or observation of class lessons. For now, his main priority is to create a “snowball effect.” He explained the snowball effect saying, “I can give you guys a video on [the] volleyball championship, and once it’s out there, it’ll create a momentum, [then] move on to basketball, success with MUN, etc.” Once he has observed enough and obtained the right materials to convey the cohesive message, then he can initiate a formal marketing strategy. Now with our numerous social media platforms, such as Youtube, Youku, WeChat, and Facebook, SMIC-I is able to spread their influence further. His filmmaking process typically would take approximately 8-10 hours out of his day, which he commented, “[It’s] not that much, actually. It’s just when you get into something, time flies by.”
In addition to the roles as a teacher and a marketing specialist, Mr. Olson has made generous contributions to the Film Club, which has changed drastically since he came to supervise the meetings and events they host. Current president of Film Club, Bryan Yeh commented on his guidance, “Film Club was brought up to next level after Mr. Olson shared his expertise during the productions of the newly launched Sharks Studio. The insights he gave about his previous [projects] further boosted the enthusiasm toward filmmaking within the club.” Mr. Olson responded, “you have to have someone to show you where that next level is and help you to drag yourself to get there.”
His future SMIC-I project include a video series regarding the curriculum change, recruiting video, and continuing to document major school-wide events. The middle school underwent a redesign that helped the students obtain the education necessary more comprehensively than before and provide them with the experience most suitable for their age and grade. Although the result was met with enthusiasm and seemed like a success, inefficient communication techniques left the parents with questions of the credibility of this new teaching style. To help the parents better understand the EEE program and the other changes made, Mr. Olson was assigned to create a series of videos that explained the new courses thoroughly. He stated that “to actually see the footage from the classroom of kids working together on these projects and see documentation of the actual process” was a vital part of his videos.
With staff recruiting season approaching, he is currently “creating a video that SMIC-I can bring to recruiting fairs that is student-centered and focuses on our community and students speaking on what they want from a teacher.” He further wants to “show prospective employees to attract people who want to come into an environment that has kids challenge them in their classroom.”
One of his most memorable projects had been in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was hired to shoot for the company, Wrangler, a globally recognized jeans manufacturer. In his hometown, a rodeo athlete was selected to fly in the U.S. Air Force stunt flying team named the Thunderbirds, and he had the fortunate opportunity to “go through the 3-hour training process” and film from the jet intake.” He commented on his experience, “it was super cool to be on the runway.”
For students wanting to pursue in marketing, Mr. Olson advised that “marketing is amazing and is a constant challenge,” because there is no particular “formula,” in contrast to other careers such as law, business, or medicine. “Be willing to go where ever it takes you, whether or not it is scary or not; no amount of work is too much work to put into,” he stated.
His experience in SMIC-I so far is “pretty much what [he] expected,” commenting on the students’ “hardworking, down-to-earth, honest, and motivated” attitudes. Since teaching here, Mr. Olson reflected that “SMIC-I is good at things they cannot buy,” such as our treasured integrity and the ESLRs.
Overall, his experience in Shanghai has been “pleasant, and it‘s really cool that [SMIC-I] allowed me the time during the day to shoot and tell these stories.”
Featured image- Mr. Olson in nature Photo Courtesy of Mr. Olson
by Tomoko Hasegawa