A lot of volunteer work and relatively little money has produced a five minute anti-drunken-driving video aimed at young people that will be offered to local schools, youth groups and the national chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
The video was produced by West Jordan Public Safety, with financial help from the Utah MADD chapter and the state and local chapters of the Fraternal Order of Police. Some of West Jordan's share of the state's beer excise tax also was applied toward expenses.The slick, fast-paced video features local teens and carries the musical story of two young men who have been friends since childhood. One drinks, the other doesn't, they have a falling out, then become friends again - but the young man who drinks ends up driving a car and getting into an accident that kills his friend.
"The point we're really trying to make is that if you're involved in it, you can get hurt. If you're not drinking, but around those who are, you can still get hurt," said West Jordan Police Sgt. Gary Cox. "The consequences are serious either way."
The video cost only $2,500 to make, primarily because much of the labor and materials were donated.
The script was written by Joey Katsos and the music was written and sung by Mark McLelland. West Jordan resident Mike Marsh filmed the video.
"Mike has been tremendously helpful. He has done all of this work pretty much for nothing," Cox said. "We had to pay a crew for a few things, but most of the things, such as props and costumes, were donated."
The performers were high school students from drama classes throughout the valley who worked for free.
Cox said the most expensive part of the video production was editing.
Marsh also is happy with the video and praised West Jordan businesses for lending everything from eyeglasses to a casket. "I think it came out well, especially considering the money we had," Marsh said.
Plans are to circulate the video widely and possibly even get it aired on television.
"We ended up having 150 copies made. Some went to the people involved and MADD took a bunch for their presentations all over the state," Cox said. "We will be using it in the crime prevention presentations that our officers make in the schools."
Connie Harton, president of the Utah MADD chapter, is happy with the results.
"The video has a real strong message," she said. "It might be good for driver's ed classes."
MADD plans to forward a copy to its national headquarters in Dallas, Texas, to see if the group might want to use it nationwide.
"My feeling is, what a great thing this is for the community," Harton said. "If we can get the word out and save a life, that's what we're in it for."