Rizon Productions of Little Rock began filming the first of four commercials promoting Conway on Monday.
The commercials are part of a marketing plan that Kathy Wyrick, vice president of marketing for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, put together for the Conway Advertising and Promotion Commission. Partners Advertising, the agency that designed the chamber's new logo, envisioned and wrote the commercials, which feature different types of explorers enjoying Conway's attractions.
"Our goal is promoting Conway, but to also be whimsical so people won't forget it," said Wyrick.
On Monday, Aaron Holt, a theater major at the University of Central Arkansas, starring in the first of the four commercials to be filmed, portrayed a scuba diver making his way around town. He had a splash in the fountain at UCA, with many student extras witnessing the spectacle "on their way to class."
"We wanted to use UCA students because it's on their campus," Wyrick said.
In another scene, Holt as the visiting scuba diver provoked laughter from onlookers at Michelangelo's as he attempted to rescue a fish from a chef's knife.
Heather Thrash of Partners Advertising said, "I thought that was our best scene so far. This scene had a fish in it, and you can't go wrong with that."
In yet another scene, a hotel bathrobe awkwardly covering his scuba tank, Holt sneakily swiped some water bottles from a housekeeping cart outside his room at Comfort Suites. His antics brought laughter from the crew and creators alike.
Holt said, "It's been fun. The shoot's been going great. It's a good learning experience. Hopefully everyone finds it interesting and funny."
Wyrick said, "The different locations we've been filming at have been very supportive. It's been fun."
Shooting of the commercials will continue today, Wednesday and Thursday at various locations.
On Thursday, a Christmas commercial will be filmed. Wyrick said much cooperation was needed for the Christmas commercial. Jim Rhodes of the Quality of Life Council, which sponsors the Holiday Festival of Light each year, will supply some light sculptures for the commercial. Fleming Electric is providing electrical boxes, and Conway Corporation is turning on the power, she said. Additionally, a family is decorating their home as if it were Christmas.
Commercials will begin airing across the state as early as September.
(Staff writer Rachel Parker Dickerson can be reached by e-mail at rachel.dickerson@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1277.
