CRESTVIEW — Budding videographer and Crestview High School alumnus Ben White has made a regional name for himself with his high-energy YouTube videos.
White's past productions include the locally famous Crestview High lipdub of 2012, the follow-up teachers' lipdub and this year's "Harlem Shake." Now he has trained his lens on a more serious subject.
His 21-year-old sister's diagnosis with multiple sclerosis inspired a production with a somber theme behind an upbeat tempo.
"Dance Away MS,” no less energetic than his previous videos, features a fast-paced dance number, "It Takes Two" by Rob Base, quick cuts and lots of bounce.
Intercut with White are dancing friends in Pensacola; Tallahassee; Tagab, Afghanistan; Rexburg, Idaho; and Banbury, England. His dogs, Jessie and Chance, and a large, stuffed bear also appear.
The video "experience," as White calls it — viewed more than 5,300 times as of press time — concludes with White requesting support for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
"As an aspiring filmmaker, I wanted to use my craft to help raise awareness of this incurable, neurological disease that affects millions of people worldwide, like my sister," White said. The White family requested the News Bulletin not disclose the woman's name.
"I hope that the video will reach every single person impacted by multiple sclerosis to give them hope that there will be a cure for this possibly crippling disease."
White's father, Ben White Sr., said he is proud of his son's creativity, and touched that he would apply his skills on such a personal production.
White Sr. said his daughter — a Northwest Florida State college nursing student — refuses to allow her disease to slow her down, and her strength and determination have made it easier for her family to accept her diagnosis.
Find it online
See "Dance Away MS" at http://bit.ly/18kiJYt.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man creates video in fight against multiple sclerosis