Richard Edevane, an adjunct professor at the College of Technology, was so impressed by two Advanced Camera and Cinematography students that he hired them to help shoot a real-life, hands-on project for his video production company.

Vince Yazidjian and Justin Lewandowski traveled with Edevane to Huntsville, Alabama, to make a video commissioned by Arm and Hammer Baking Soda showing school children launching bottle rockets propelled by baking soda on the company’s Rocketship Day.

Yazidjian served as cameraman, capturing kids’ delight as their bottle rockets soared into the sky.

“Vince did excellent work in my classes. He has a great eye,” says Edevane, founder of Creative Media Group in New Castle.

Lewandowski was the production assistant, setting up lights, making sure batteries were charged, wrangling small cameras taped to the rocket, and managing luggage and equipment during multiple legs of the trip.

The crew flew from Philadelphia to Charlotte, North Carolina, then transferred to a puddle jumper to travel to Huntsville, where they rented a van.

“It was a challenge logistically, making sure everything made it when we changed planes and then went on to the van,” Edevane says. “It was fast and furious, but Justin handled everything beautifully.”

Edevane has been an adjunct at Wilmington University for over 20 years and has hired students several times to work on small local projects. This is the first time students have gained professional experience on a national project.

Since the Arm and Hammer shoot, he has hired Justin several times for camera work and plans to bring in Justin for projects that require production assistance.

“This is their passion,” he says. “Vince and Justin go the extra mile.”