UIS Office of Electronic Media
Over two years, Sáng Visuals had the honor to work in close collaboration with the UIS Office of Electronic Media, integrating directly with their team on a series of public service campaigns.
Providing cinematography, editing, and direction, the work focused on shaping clear, message-driven visuals for initiatives such as Safe2Help, supporting statewide communication around awareness, safety, and prevention. Additional campaigns were developed in partnership with federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, extending the reach and impact of the work across Illinois.
A Partnership in Public Service
Words Last A Lifetime
A public service film created for Safe2Help about how words can leave a lasting emotional impact.
Serving as director of photography and editor, the approach focused on capturing the girl’s emotional experience and how those feelings carry forward over time, allowing the story to resonate with the viewer.
Producer / Writer: Mark Verduin. Director: Bwayisak Tanko Assistant Director: Mike Taylor
Director of Photography / Editor: Hieu Luu. Grip: Sara Jacobs Production Designer: Dathan Powell Production Designer: Tom Zoschke
Talent Agency: Shawnee Talent
Small Things Turn Big
An abstract public service film using visual metaphor to explore the weight of pressure on teens.
Through macro photography and high-key lighting, a single drop of red dye disperses through water, quickly filling the frame and transforming the space. Serving as director of photography and editor, the focus was on translating a simple visual action into an emotional idea, showing how something small can expand, intensify, and become overwhelming in moments.
Producer / Writer: Mark Verduin. Director / Director of Photography / Editor: Hieu Luu. Grip: Sara Jacobs
A Light at a Time
A public service film created for Safe2Help, using light as a metaphor for connection and hope.
Designed around contrast, the scene begins in shadow as a girl moves through isolation, then slowly brightens through intentional lighting as a friend reaches out. The visual shift mirrors the emotional change, showing how a single moment of connection can begin to lift someone out of darkness.
Producer / Writer: Mark Verduin. Director: Bwayisak Tanko Assistant Director: Mike Taylor
Director of Photography / Editor: Hieu Luu Grip: Sara Jacobs Production Designer: Dathan Powell Production Designer: Tom Zoschke
Talent Agency: Shawnee Talent
Homeland Security
A pair of public service films created in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Serving as director, cinematographer, and editor, the work focused on motivated camera movement and controlled pacing to build tension and urgency. The films used visual momentum to support scripts centered on awareness, observation, and the importance of reporting suspicious activity.
Executive Producer / Writer: Mark Verduin Director / Director of Photography / Editor: Hieu Luu Grip: Sara Jacobs
Assistant Producer (UIS): Mike Taylor Production Designer: Dathan Powell Effects Supervisor: Tom Zoschke
Production Assistant (UIS): Bwayisak Tanko Talent Agency: Shawnee Talent