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Stephen Turner perceives the University of Georgia through a distinct perspective.
As a video production expert, he’s demonstrating and informing individuals about the influence the School of Social Work has in Georgia and beyond.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to realize that everything you’re scripting, filming, and editing is going to assist someone, whether that’s a social worker or a student with a desire to help others,” he noted. “I’m not personally out there doing it, but I’m ideally crafting content for them to venture out and do good in the world.”
Turner’s fascination with video production began in high school, when he created short films with his friends. He chose to pursue the field and obtained his bachelor’s degree from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2013.
“I discovered where my passion lies,” he remarked.
Upon graduating, he ventured into television production, working with Turner Studios and NBA TV. Seeking a more consistent work routine, he accepted a role at the Zaxby’s corporate office, producing videos for their internal communications team. A friend forwarded Turner the job listing for his current role, and he has been with the School of Social Work for two years.
His role initially commenced with grant funding to produce training videos that connect students with professionals in the child welfare sector. Turner developed a video training library for Zaxby’s, making it a perfect fit for his talents.
That swiftly broadened into content development for the entire school. Currently, he also produces videos for the school’s social media, creates recruitment videos to encourage more applications, and manages the audiovisual requirements at the school’s events.
“It’s all about enhancing the visibility of the school,” he stated. “Knowing that you’re creating content that will prove beneficial in the future and impact someone’s life in Georgia or even the nation is extremely rewarding,” he added.
The School of Social Work recently commemorated its 60th anniversary, and Turner contributed to all the media for the events, including video interviews with all five current and former deans. He is also engaged in projects concerning the school’s real-world student practicum and another focusing on virtual reality assessments.
“The ultimate goal is to make social work more accessible,” he expressed.
Each project starts with grasping the objective and the target audience. A formal training video for the Division of Family and Children Services will appear and feel entirely distinct from an energetic recruitment video aimed at encouraging individuals to continue their social work education.
From that point, Turner finalizes the concept and outlines the specifics in a video brief. His days are never truly identical — some might be focused on a shoot, while others could be dedicated to editing at his computer, which has captivated his interest over the past few years.
“It’s fascinating to take one idea and know you can craft five different narratives from it and invoke five distinct emotions,” he stated.
His passion for this type of work extends beyond UGA. He’s a devoted hockey enthusiast and produces content for the Athens Rock Lobsters and Akins Ford Arena. He also creates several podcasts. However, most of his time outside the office is spent with his family, including his two young children.
In both his professional work and personal projects, storytelling remains the core of everything he does.
“The most crucial aspect of my role is being able to convey stories to those who may not comprehend the experiences of others. It’s about showcasing how different people live,” he noted. “It’s incredible to have my perspective broadened in that way and translate it into story form. My aim is to illuminate that for others as well.”
The post Video producer brings the School of Social Work’s story to life appeared first on UGA Today.
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