Young Entrepreneurs - Andrew Napier

At the age of nine, Andrew Napier learned how to edit video on his home computer. This early interest became a love of films and film-making, and ultimately, in 2002, Andrew's business, too.

Andrew has produced many short films for Mauston School District and dozens of personal clients. He has also produced a training video for the company Body Scanning CRM.

In the summer of 2003 Andrew traveled with the People to People Student Ambassador Program through England, Ireland, and Wales. He created a documentary film of this journey, which was awarded first place in the nation wide Special Correspondent contest sponsored by the Student Ambassador Program.

In September 2004, Andrew was invited to participate in a community project to restore a 1000-year-old Native American artefact - an effigy of the Panther Spirit made by the Ho-Chunk people.

Andrew used the project as the basis for a documentary called "Keeping the Spirit" for the Panther Spirit Effigy Mound Project in Mauston, Wisconsin. The film captures the story of how a small rural community brought together students, teachers, archaeologists and the Ho-Chunk Nation to successfully restore and preserve the 1000 year old Panther Effigy Mound in the heart of the town.

The documentary won a $1,000 in the History Channel's Save Our History competition, and earned Andrew a Prudential Spirit of Community Award in 2005.

During his senior year at Mauston High School, Andrew was also on staff! He taught a class in video production, which carried on after his graduation, under the supervision of a more traditional faculty member.

In 2008, as a college freshman, he has written and produced a short film called Spin Cycle, which has been submitted to the 2008 Wisconsin Film Festival.

Andrew's clients give him rave reviews, depite his youth.

Having heard about some of the video work done by Andrew Napier, my husband and I contacted him about putting together a DVD using snapshots and music from our daughter's wedding.

The bride and groom as well as other family members were thrilled with the professionalism exhibited by the final product.

As we worked together I found Andrew to be sensitive and respectful to my feelings with regard to family. He politely answered my questions and offered creative suggestions to enhance the presentation.I was impressed with the technical skills he used to improve the looks of many of the pictures and crop unneeded parts from others.

In addition, he handled the financial end of our deal in a very businesslike manner for a person of his young age. We already have recommended his work to others and plan to engage his services for future special occasions within our family. - Cindy Pfaff