Journalism & Digital Storytelling Trips
We approach travel as an opportunity to connect multiple perspectives in civil discourse for a more peaceful world. Digital media literacy amplifies the results of students’ comprehension. The art of using the camera as storyteller meets experiential-learning for social good.
Students learn:
- Technical skills: camera management, lighting and sound.
- Story Development: research and source material.
- Script Writing: character arch, story-boarding, and resolution.
- Ethical Journalism: message, agenda and testimonial.
- Interviewing: open-ended questions, building rapport, empathy.
- Style and Method: music, text or voice-over narrative techniques.
- Creative Editing: software basics, shots and cuts.
- Distribution: Film freeway, blogging, press-releases.
What Are the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment?
Petition. Assembly. Religion. Speech. Press
It’s incredible to think of these U.S. Constitutional rights as a luxury. Can you imagine it being illegal to circulate a petition for an issue you care about? A criminal offense to assemble in your church and plan a desegregation March? Visualize professional journalists risking arrest and imprisonment in order to publish facts in a newspaper? Around the world, and within the United States, free speech has come under attack from those who would prefer inconvenient truths concealed. The work of independent journalists— documenting, verifying, communicating and distributing factual stories — is a courageous community service for the common good.
Digital Storytelling Works…. It is Service-Learning
Volunteering the patience and presence of mind to listen, our student documentarians record the realities of the human condition throughout our travels. Earning the trust of a local’s personal testimony, energizes the student creators to broadcast those voices through diverse styles: Verite, Portrait and Poetic. Students’ completed media projects – film, blog, photo essay—can be donated to the cause, the NGO, the individual or group who inspired the story. Our gallery of award-winning student films will amaze you.
Each Digital Storytelling program features fresh voices, introducing students to new thinkers, innovators, and concerns. Our instructors empower travelers to expand upon their natural instincts as compassionate, digital communicators. Ethical, issues-based learning inspires experts, survivors and changemakers to speak – and students learn how to effectively amplify the voices we hear. In this way, students learn and serve, assembling intelligent thought and creative expression for good across time and place.
What’s it like in the field?
During daily field workshops, students apply their cultural learning to create photo or short video projects in small groups under the guidance of a professional filmmaking instructor. Teacher leaders support supervision of students to work in teams as writers, producers, cinematographers, and editors. Students learn to professionally set lighting, dialogue and ambient sound recordings. Daily workshop time includes opportunities for footage review, interview transcription, and B-roll evaluation. Film ownership rights and responsibility for integrity of content are shared equally among team members.
General Technical Requirements:
Our programs are designed for the “civilian journalist” using hand-held media (ie; iPhones, tablets) and small audio support devices. No prior filmmaking or journalism experience is required. A genuine interest in the subject matter and patience for learning the basic functionality of production equipment is essential. Travelers are connected in groups who will collectively equip the group shared production necessities:
Hand-held device: Smart phone or tablet (ie; iPhone)
Laptop Computer
External Hard-drive (minimum 50 GB)
Light camera tripod and phone mount
iPhone shotgun microphone
Applications on phone: Filmic Pro IMovie, Pinnacle Studio Pro, Simplenote
(Optional) Supplementary Lenses
(Optional) SmartLav (Lavalier Microphone)
Our gallery of award-winning student films will amaze you. Join us, and share your creative vision for good.
Ready to Learn More?