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Mission of the Month: April 2008
Capturing History: The making of a documentary
AGE: for youth 8 – 18
TIME: Depends on how in-depth youth want to get. A simple, brief documentary based on interviews of easily available people could be created in 4 hours; a more complex project with multiple interviews and background research could stretch over several weeks.
Group: Each documentary is best done in teams of 2-5 people, though it could be an individual or large group activity.
SUPPLIES:
- Imagination, interest and experience (to decide on topic and questions for interview)
- Paper, pen or laptop (to write out interview, take notes)
- Access to Internet, libraries, local historical society (to research topic)
- Microphone, tape recorder, digital video recorder or camera with video feature, tripod (to tape interview)
- Video / audio editing software
OPTION: If video or audio recording equipment is not available, you can just take notes and write it up.
Who are you, really? Have your skills and interests been passed down from your parents or grandparents? Where did the habits and customs of today’s American society come from?
There is more to one’s history – the history of family and community – than your DNA and the names of your ancestors. What you do and how you do it is an important part of your family history. Take the time to find out how you became who you are today. Interview your family members about one aspect of life or culture that interests you. If talking to family isn’t convenient, use this as an opportunity to learn how your neighborhood became what it is today!
April’s Mission is your opportunity to conduct historical research, develop interview skills and produce a video documentary!
Step 1: Select a topic
What are your interests? What would you like to know more about? Who has a history that you could research?
Step 2: Decide who you need to interview
People have expertise in different subjects, and different levels of willingness to share their experiences. Develop a sampling strategy to get the best pool of interviewees.
Step 3: Backgrounding Yourself
Before you interview, spend some time learning about your topic in its historical context.
Step 4: Preparation
Organize your interview, check your equipment, and get ready to roll!
Step 5: Rolling
Conduct your interviews and record them.
Step 6: Production
Take your footage and arrange it into a documentary on your topic. If needed, include some footage of yourself introducing the topic, or some cool graphics for transitions.
Step 7: World Premier!
Share your documentaries with your youth program, family and neighbors.
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