SEMESTER PROJECT: DOCUMENTARYAssignment Guide

The Purpose

• To creatively gain insight into intercultural concepts and interactions in our own communities.

A Short Example

This video is shorter than what you will do, but should give you an idea of the type of project you will be creating:

The Topic

• We talk about a ton of things in this course.• You can choose any sub-area to focus on.• Once you form groups today you will select

tentative topics to start researching.

Step 1: Forming groups

• Groups should consist of 5-6 students• We will get to the details towards the end of

class.• Next week you will choose a topic to get you

started.– Due 1/29–Worth 5 points

Part 2: Writing a Proposal

• After choosing a topic you should do some basic research into the topic area.

• Attempt to find an area of the class that interests you and your group members.

• Try to find a topic that is informative but also has a story to tell (this makes the process easier).

Part 2: Writing a Proposal, Continued

• Create a formal written proposal:• Main Purpose: Explain main purpose? (1 paragraph)• Research Justification: Why is this area of focus important to study?

What can you hope to contribute to our understanding? Include at least 2 sources(2-3 paragraphs)

• Resources: What resources are available? Include all of the following:– specific organizations (local or otherwise),– individuals (include names and contact information), and– two pieces of academic research such as books or journal articles (summarize and cite

them)• Not the same as the justification

• Interviews: Who are the people you plan to interview? How do you plan to get access to them?

• References Page: Include (in APA format) • Worth 30 points

Part 3: Interview Guide

• You must conduct 6 interviews for this project– You can and probably will want to do more– 4 from “participants”– 2 from subject experts

• You will create an interview guide to prepare• The guide will contain at least 15 open ended

questions with follow up prompts.– More questions = Better Interviews

• Due 2/14• Worth 10 points

Part 4: Outline• To prepare to create your video you will create a formal

outline for your documentary• Full sentence• APA format• In text citations to sources you include in your narrations• Descriptions of what the video clips show• Break it into acts (think main points of a speech)• Due 4/4• Worth 40 points

Part 5: The Finished Documentary

• Use the Windows movie maker (or any other software you wish: iMovie, YouTube Video Editor, etc.) to create your documentary.

• It should be polished and professional• Must be between 15-20 minutes long• Should be a balanced mixture of Education,

Entertainment, and Emotion.– Use Music, Drama, and good storytelling

Tech

• The fact that most of us have HD cameras (cellphones) in our pockets makes doing this type of project easier.

• I’ve booked lab days to help you with the editing process.

• I have some limited tech (cameras, microphones, etc) I can loan out.

• I might be able to borrow more.

Screenings and Submission

• The final project is due 4/28/14• You will upload it to YouTube and submit a

link on Bb• We will do in class screenings, after which you

will have a (graded) question and answer period

• The completed documentary and Q&A is worth 100 points.