CROWN POINT | Toy shop owner Barbara Bonick stepped into the spotlight recently for her close-up in the city's Shop Local campaign.
Filmed on location at her Geppetto's Toys and Togs by a crew of Crown Point High School students, Bonick became the second city shop owner to be featured in the promotional campaign.
The finished product of infomercials lasting about 10 minutes each will be shown on local channels ATT U-Verse 99 and Comcast 26 to help promote the stores and the idea of supporting local retailers.
The partnership between the city and the high school is expected to produce a series of vignettes as shop owners sign on to take part.
Six students from the school's new Technical Communications course prepped Bonick for her appearance Feb. 27, helping her adjust hair and makeup to withstand the glare of bright lights and warm surroundings inside the store, located on the lower level of the Old Lake County Courthouse.
With lighting and sound adjusted, high school junior Tobey Schmidt snapped a clapboard and called for action, signalling fellow crew member Sarah Reed, a senior, to begin interviewing Bonick.
Surrounded by toddlers' frilly dresses and shelves of collectible dolls and stuffed animals, Bonick described playing store with her sister as kids, and how owning a shop seemed a natural for her.
"That's a take," crew members said, obviously pleased with the result.
The experience is vital for students in the class, said Brent Barber, the school's audio-visual director.
"They can learn only so much in the classroom," he said. "This gives them real-life experience."
At least seven Crown Point retailers had applied to participate in the campaign by late January. Applications, available on the city website, www.crownpoint.in.gov, are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Plans are to combine five or six of the vignettes into reels lasting about 60 minutes each, Technical Communications instructor and project director Chris Gloff said.
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