Ryan Francis, rapping in the video, asks for your votes.
‘Drive Safe: Save the Stunts for the Crash Test Dummy’
By Patric Hedlund
Ryan Francis of Pinon Pines is asking for your vote. He’s not running for high office. He’s hoping to win a national video competition, and he’s made the final cut. Francis was informed this month that he’s one of the ten finalists out of 1,375 entries for the Bridgestone Americas Safety Scholars video contest. You can vote until August 5.
The “Save the Stunts” entry is a fast-paced rap with a funky beat. It stars Francis himself driving and rapping, with funny cameos by his friends (including Sam Greer of Lake of the Woods) doing all the things you really shouldn’t do if you wish to stay alive while driving.
“Save the stunts for the crash test dummy” is the message that snaps the end of the video.
“I like music videos, and I thought this would be a fun and catchy way to get people’s attention,” Francis said. “Safe driving is important, but sometimes taking a humorous approach is the only way for my generation to get a serious message.”
Francis has already won a new set of tires, but he wants to win the grand prize. His video is now posted at safetyscholars. com along with videos by the other nine finalists. The public can vote online through Aug. 5 at 8:59 p.m. PDT
Voting is limited to one person per email address. Winners will be announced Aug. 17.
Finalists’ videos are also available for viewing on Facebook, YouTube and MySpace. The top three winners will receive a $5,000 scholarship prize and their productions will be aired as national PSAs.
Francis attended Rosewall Christian Academy in Bakersfield and is now a Communications major with an emphasis in Electronic Media at Masters College. He says he is pursuing a career in film or the music industry
“I love making videos and playing music with my friends. This video is a combination of those two things, along with hanging out with my hilarious friends,” he said.
This is part of the July 30, 2010 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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