Unit Overview
Introduction
We live in a multi-media world, with images and sounds bombarding us practically from the moment we wake up until we go to bed at night. Young people especially are plugged into this visual and auditory environment. In this unit, students will learn how to take their research on a community-based issue that they care about and create a video. By showing their video to elected officials, policymakers, the general public and their peers, students may add their voices to the dialogue about community issues. Students will come to understand how to use an issue-based video to make their voices heard through the media and increase their participation as active and engaged citizens.
Lesson 1: Shaping the Video Message
Students will further research the issues of their Youth Issues Agenda to determine the focus and message of the video, and will determine which students are best suited for specific tasks.
Lesson 2:Understanding the Elements of a Video
After determining the focus and message of the video, students will decide who will be interviewed for the video, will formulate interview questions and brainstorm possible video images to gather.
Lesson 3: Creating a Script and Shooting the Video
Students fine-tune their storyboards and their research to produce a working script that will be used to guide the images that will be shot and the questions that will be asked of the people to be interviewed.
Lesson 4: Sharing Your Video With Others
Students identify possible outlets for airing their video, from the TV station in their own school to a city council committee meeting.