Education
Films that engage community, build school brands and catalyze investment.
We specialize in authentic video storytelling for education institutions — colleges, universities and independent schools — from capital campaigns to admissions to the moments a community gathers.
Project in focus
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Capital Campaign Thank You
A film celebrating the impact, on campus and around the world, of a successful five-year capital campaign under the leadership of Dean Jim Ryan. Our partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Education spans campaign, tribute and initiative-launch films.
Client partners on the work
In their words.
“It is an absolute pleasure to work with Willa and the Firestarter team. They are expert storytellers and artists who welcome collaboration with institutional partners and put their considerable talents to work in advancing our strategic goals. The work they've produced for us is exceptional, beautiful, and powerful.”
“Willa is a deft and powerful storyteller whose videos for Williams have captivated prospective students, inspired prospective donors, and educated thousands about our college's character, history, and aspirations. She's also wonderful to work with — highly responsive to our input, resourceful with time and material, and relentlessly cheerful.”
“I've worked with Willa on a few projects and each collaboration is more fruitful than the last. She is a thoughtful and supportive storyteller, and has a unique way of extracting powerful narratives out of her subjects. When interviewees meet her it's as if they've known her forever and they immediately feel at ease sharing their thoughts and feelings.”
Education partners include Harvard Graduate School of Education, Williams College, Barnard College, Trinity College, Bates College, Brooks School, St. Andrew’s School, The Pike School, Pine Point School and UMass Boston.
Client partners
Education partners we’ve built stories with.
Good to know
Questions we’re asked most.
What kinds of films do you make for schools, colleges and universities?
Capital campaign films and multi-part series, admissions and viewbook films, reunion invitations and thank-you films, alumni and donor profiles, leadership transitions, tribute films and event films. Recent partners include the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Williams, Barnard, Trinity, Bates, UMass Boston, Brooks School, St. Andrew's, Pike and Pine Point.
How does a capital campaign film series work?
We start with your campaign priorities and the audiences who need to act on them, then build a series so each film carries one priority, such as financial aid, faculty or the student experience. Documentary-style interviews with students, faculty, alumni and leadership become the narrative spine; the films launch across the campaign calendar and can be re-cut for events, email and social.
Can you film during reunion, commencement or other live events?
Yes. Event coverage is a core part of our education work: reunion weekends, campaign launches, dedications and speaker events. We plan the shoot around your run of show, capture interviews on site, and deliver highlight films and social cuts on the timelines those moments demand.
How do you get good interviews from alumni, donors and students?
By listening first. We prepare questions with you, keep the setup small and calm, and interview people in the places they know, on campus and on location. We travel domestically and internationally to the homes and workplaces of students, alumni and faculty. Partners tell us their interviewees feel at ease within minutes, which is what makes the stories authentic on screen.
Let’s talk
Sound like a fit?
It all starts with a message. Tell us about the audience you need to reach and what a win looks like.