In the following three minute films, students capture amazing true stories from, and about, the adults in their lives. Humor, pain and human endurance color these stories that describe the various, unpredictable journeys of life. Watch and, we promise, you will laugh, cry, wince, or say “awwww.”
This semester-long project has been a collaboration of students’ multimedia and English classes. This project began with each student conducting one 45-minute interview with an adult whom they admired or about whom they wanted to know more. Then, as part of the story building process, each student transcribed their own 45-minute interview. Using their own transcription as a guide, students then edited their sound work into a seven minute story. Lastly, and after many rounds of critiques, each seven minute story became a beautiful and concise three minute piece. Through this process, students learned to carefully find and craft a meaningful story. The classes nominated their final 10 selections (out of 25 total) for cinematic production. An archive of all their sound narratives is here.
Next, students moved into visual production through an extensive film practicum program with UCSD’s ArtPower! program. ArtPower! recognizes that creative learners make creative teachers, and teaching and learning go both ways. In spring 2012, ArtPower! Film, Sixth College, and the Department of Visual Arts, along with our 12th grade students at High Tech High Media Arts, embarked on a ten-week creative mentorship program where UCSD students collaborated with and mentored our 12th grade students in order to produce these very special short films.
These final films culminate into the following ten projects and were shown at the 5th Annual Artpower! Student Film Festival at The Loft on UCSD’s campus during the spring of 2012.
We hope you enjoy their work.
-Margaret Noble, Media Arts Instructor
-Rachel Nichols, English teacher
In the Pit of Your Stomach
One man’s tale of waiting at the alter.
Watch: http://youtu.be/-
Duct Tape Ninja
A quirky story about men, women, and duct tape.
Watch: http://youtu.be/wF9Zl9polJM
HTHMA Student Team: Shoshannah Michaelsen,Allyson M Moder, Austin Clapp and Morgan Barrett. UCSD Mentor: Duy Nguyen Process Blog: http://ducttapedninja.wordpress.com/
Caged Dreams
Trapped in a concrete box.
Watch: http://youtu.be/
Signs of Love
One man’s perspective on love and communication.
Watch: http://youtu.be/tdjw1ruAxm0
HTHMA Student Team: Rachael Dickey, Stephanie Barria, Nia Gamboa, Carli Anderson and Jacqueline Lira UCSD Mentor: Emma Robertson Process Blog: http://signsoflove-rscnj.tumblr.com/
Through a Father’s Eyes
A father speaks on living through two wars with his family.
Watch: http://youtu.be/_
Playa Sola
The choice and challenge presented to a young girl in an extremely difficult position.
Watch: http://youtu.be/LIADR_
Extinguish
Extinguish tells the story of Joel E. Bowdan, one of the first African-American firefighters in San Diego, California.
Watch: http://youtu.be/
Rail Road Tunnel
A dramatic re-creation of Mathew Pena’s police chase that has unsuspected results.
Watch: http://youtu.be/
Nascent
The story of revealing oneself in the face of adversity.
Watch: http://youtu.be/Ifd-CurPkFQ
HTHMA Student Team: Louis Tabalon, Claire Ann Brand, Maleaja Cokes, Sara Ramos and Robin Siref. UCSD Mentor: Lauren Egge Process Blog: http://nas-cent.tumblr.com/
Trapped Ethics
An honest tale of fur trapping in the 1940s.
Watch: http://youtu.be/
Wonderful work! Congratulations to all of the students!
Inspiration! So great to see such fine work!