by Justin Difazzio
If you’ve been following the blog, you can see we’re expanding like crazy, especially in our video department. Our newest addition to the OC Creative team is Rachel Clarke! We’re happy to add another Rachel to our long line of employees who share the name. Welcome Rachel to the team!
Rachel’s love of video started at a very young age. She and her Chicago-based family always loved TV, video games, computers, and gadgets. One of their favorites was a camera that recorded 8mm cassettes. She still has some of the goofy movies shot on that family treasure. For school projects, if making a video was an option, she wouldn’t consider doing anything else. And after high school, it was sort of a no brainer for her to go into studying film production in college.
She went to Liberty University in Virginia but didn’t finish there due to a job offer in Illinois she couldn’t refuse. The compromise was getting a degree she says sounds kind of boring: Interdisciplinary Studies in Fine Arts and Social Sciences. We think it sounds like a recipe for a wide open future. After working as a videographer for a big church in Illinois, she took on freelance video work for a couple years. She made a connection to an existing OC employee, and he passed her work on to us. After some freelance video projects, we hired her!
In addition to editing video, Rachel will be helping out with social media, photography, and some office admin tasks. As our Office Coordinator, we hope to use her talents in every area they apply.
“I’m pumped to be a part of this team! Although I’m joining at a time where we’re doing a lot of things virtually, and I haven’t met everyone in person yet, I still feel like I am a part of something awesome,” she says. “This team is a strong creative force, and I’m sure I am going to learn and grow a ton.”
Rachel recently married Will, the love of her life, and they adopted a shelter dog named Cosmo. He’s an adorable mix of Beagle, Boston Terrier, Pug, and more. Just be prepared if you meet him, since he would love to lick your face.
When she’s not busy with work, she likes to play video games, watch movies, swim, bake, and watch home renovation videos on YouTube. She also helps out with the youth group at her home church where her husband is the youth pastor. “Being there for teenagers and helping them through their problems is not the easiest thing.” explains Rachel. “But it’s super rewarding, and we love it.”
We’re honored and excited that Rachel even has time in her busy life to be a part of the OC team! We can’t wait to all be able to spend some time together in person soon! If you’re in the office, make sure to say hello to Rachel!
