When approached for advice on a commercial for the NAU Foundation, NAU alumnus Art Haynie took it one step further and created the entire spot as an in-kind donation.
Haynie, owner and producer of Big Monkey Films in Phoenix, came to campus in February to film at Paul Keim’s genomics lab, where he interviewed several students and researchers for the 30-second commercial.
The spot playfully juxtaposes everyday fears and phobias with serious research taking place in the lab. Haynie said it was written for several purposes, including foundation fund raising, student enrollment and university branding.
“I tried to make the shoot so that communication students could get involved with production as well,” said Haynie, who earned his NAU bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1987. “And getting to hang out in Keim’s lab and learn all that goes on in there—I would have done it just for that.”