Introduction
In the Documentary Unit, we asked ourselves, “How can you authentically and artistically depict a noteworthy individual, group, place, concept, or issue in the community?” For the Junior Documentary project, we represented a unique individual, group, place, concept, or problem by gathering primary and secondary research materials to provide a different viewpoint on their subject’s importance in the community and/or the wider globe. In English we wrote a research based paper which we turned into a magazine article in Digital Media. In our elective class (Film), we took a new subject and made a Documentary short-film. This unit emphasized on narrative storytelling through journalism.
Reflection
In my Film elective class, my partner and I decided to focus on Ukrainian Refugees and hear their journey through coming to the Bay Area. Last year I watched a Oscar nominated Documentary about Refugees called, “Flee” and was inspired to reach out to those who wanted their stories to be heard.
During this unit, something I valued was carefully hearing the interviewee’s stories because of how much your perspective can change.
What I thought the final Documentary was going to look like was completely different after sitting down with them. I was proud to have asked deep questions that may have been circling around those who have not had similar experiences as the subjects I focused on.
As my subject for my English Research Paper and Magazine Article for Digital Media, I asked a local transgender youth activist named Benji Bengtson who empowers youth by being authentically themselves and illustrating that transgender people are not a threat to anyone and are just human beings who have not had an opportunity to tell their stories. I was inspired to make my English documentary about Bengtson to hear their story because of the many anti-transgender bills and brutal attacks cycling the media.
Film
We made a Mockumentary Film before starting the Documentary Projects to practice and develop skills we need to produce our own Documentary Project. A Mockumentary Film is a fiction Documentary Film that is usually meant for humor purposes.
Interviewees
Illia Borshchenko is a student at Los Altos High School who recently moved to the Bay Area due to the war occurring in Ukraine, his home.
Oleksii Popolzin (right) and Lina Popolzin (middle) are a family who recently moved to the Bay Area due to the war occurring in Ukraine, their home.
Thank you
Throughout this unit, I would like to thank Freestyle Academy for giving me an opportunity to learn and develop new skills and gain new experiences! I would also like to thank my teachers Mr. Florendo, Mr. Greco, and Mr. Taylor for always motivating us to do our best on our projects! Lastly, I would like to thank all my interviewees for taking time out of their day to share their stories.