The Westernaires, Jefferson County, Colorado

Rider at the Horsecapades

The vision of Elmer E. Wyland in 1949 launched one of the most innovative and successful youth precision horseback-riding organizations in the country. Through the reminiscences and words of the earliest participants, alumni and today’s parents, volunteers and riders, this DVD tells the story of its formation, its shaping of youthful citizens, its incredible workforce of volunteers, and its performances at rodeos, parades, the National Western Stock Show, and special events throughout the western United States and Canada. The Westernaires has performed for prominent audiences such as the President of the United States and the heads of state that were his guests at the Denver Summit of the Eight Conference in 1997 and they have reenacted western historical events such as the battle between the Indians and Gen. Custer at the Little Big Horn. Even Hollywood searched out its talent for authentic U.S. Cavalry troopers in the remake of the film Stagecoach.

Students gathering for an assembly at P.S. 1

One of the earliest charter schools in Colorado, P.S.1 planned a giant celebration in its fourth year to commemorate the opening of its renovated historic building. Community and school members had transformed an old manufacturing building in Denver's inner city into a modern school facility. They asked Full Duck to create a video to honor the building and show the enthusiasm of students, parents and staff and the innovative program, which unites the school and community to make learning more vital.

Artist and student, Cheltenham Elementary

Conceived by an innovative group of educators, this educational project has kept Full Duck busy documenting its activities since its inception in 1999. Artists and musicians are paired with teachers in public schools where together they teach units on literacy, math, history and other academic subjects. Children learn the academic lessons as well as how to focus, plan, present a project, and best of all, how to enjoy learning.

Federal Guide describing early warning signs that may lead to aggressive rage or violent behavior

Faced with the Columbine High School crisis in a neighboring school district, the DPS psychology unit responded with a training video, taped by DPS personnel and Full Duck and edited by Full Duck, for teachers and all employees in the school to help them identify students who exhibit warning signs of becoming violent. Furthermore, the video illustrated positive steps that personnel should take to help the student and prevent school violence.

Eye-catching statue at the door of the Denver DHS building

When the Denver Department of Human Services needed to get more information out about their process of Family Group Conferences, they called on Full Duck to make three videos for three different audiences. The first showed administrators how the Conferences impacted other organizations in the Department and how Conferences helped the clients. The second focused on the Family Group Conference staff and illustrated the steps they take to set up and conduct a Conference. The final video presented an enactment of a Conference with a client family and department professionals.

A youthful summer gardener selling produce to a restaurant owner

What better way is there for an active group of inner-city youth to spend a summer than learning how to grow flowers and vegetables, market the produce, become good neighbors, and refurbish a neglected city lot? Full Duck got the assignment to capture the youths' journey through this process and their success. The energy and enthusiasm of the youth, narrated by one lively pair and peppered with youth activities and comments, helped the video win a Merit award in the Society for Technical Communication International Video Competition, 1999.

Two adopted daughters playing at a family gathering

Asked to reduce a full day of orientation lectures into a single 2 1/2 hour video that adoptive parents could take home with them, Full Duck produced an information-packed package.