NU offers students chance to get 30 seconds of fame

Northwestern’s Office of University Relations is searching for 60 to 75 students to serve as extras in a set of new commercials that they plan to air during the school’s nationally televised sporting events.

Filming for the ads is scheduled to take place on Oct. 10 and 11.

The commercials will fill free, 30-second advertising spots given to NU during its football and basketball games on such networks as ESPN.

Students will be filmed about six at a time roaming the campus, passing in and out of school buildings and sitting in mock classes.

No acting experience is required.

University Relations is hoping to film material for three new advertisements, said vice president for University Relations Alan Cubbage. The new commercials will share airtime with two spots that were filmed last spring.

“What we’re emphasizing is the key aspects of Northwestern that we use in all of our marketing materials,” Cubbage said. “Choice, communication, collaboration and Chicago are what we call the four C’s of our branding effort.”

Two of the commercials will feature fast paced cuts and a modern-day feel while a third will emphasize NU’s history with archival footage, Cubbage said.

Volunteers should be prepared for a learning experience. According to Cubbage, one professor broke into an actual lesson while filming a classroom scene for an ad spot several years ago.

“These students were taken aback that they were expected to contribute to this class right away,” Cubbage said.

Interested students should contact Brendan Cosgrove with University Relations at (847)-491-5753 by Friday.

– Jordan Weissmann