The following people have agreed to participate in this project:
Alex, George, Jerry, and Liz.
This project is focused on creating a documentary of a trip to San Antonio and El Paso.
Please post your ideas and progress as comments to this entry.
Some Tips:
Create a "pitch" for this project. Pretend that you are pitching this project to possible investors (google around to see if you can find a format for this sort of thing). What this will do is force you to come up ahead of time with the basic premise of your documentary, its goals, what it is and what it is not. I'll want to see this well before travel time :)
Check into the idea of incorporating a 'service trip' to this project. Talk to Tom if you need more info on what this is.
During our meeting last Thursday, I took some notes on elements we need to focus on. I found comments from Alex to be very honest and enlightening, and found the thoughts he shared could be incorporated into the focus of our work.
My interpretation of what he said:
Finding a place to "fit" can be difficult. "Americanized" Mexican Americans that speak english often look down upon Spanish speaking Mexican immigrants. Likewise, Mexican immigrants often feel the same about "Americanized" Mexican Americans.
In Alex's case, he has experienced previous friends/peers saying he's "too white" for going to school and finding his own path, especially with his friends affiliated with gangs.
Upon arriving in Cedar Falls, he described experiencing stereotypes based upon his appearance as a Mexican American.
So where does this leave people in his position to belong? What group does he "fit in" with?
On the documentary, we discussed something Dr. MacLin said, which is the importance of highlighting the "science" surrounding our projects. Sit-ins and marches and such provide awareness, but often fall short of promoting the science behind the purpose. To address this, we talked about developing a master list of questions for each person interviewed to respond to. This may provide a structured way to present information.
Another concept we discussed was something I mentioned about creating "rules" or "guidelines" for the process. Some of my favorite documentaries are those that have rules the participants must follow.
For example, in a documentary about mom&pop businesses the film makers stated they would not travel on any interstates (had to use two lane highways only), couldn't eat at any chain restaurants (only "indies") and couldn't stay at any chain hotels. This gives the viewer a clearer picture of what the film makers are "after".
Another way to keep the viewer interested is by creating deadlines. For example, Component "XYZ" must be completed 3 times per day, or we don't get to enjoy Benefit "ABC". OR we must reach destination "ExampleTown" before 5pm or we won't be able to get the $100 donation promised by our supporter.
By finding "rules" and "deadlines" that pertain to our subject matter/content this will provide an additional sense of urgency for the viewer, keeping them focused on what we are doing, keeping them in tune with the science behind our project, and keep them entertained!
Based upon themes discussed herein, any ideas?
Thanks!
Last night our group met to discuss more ideas for the project. We were trying to come up with a common theme that would tie together the diverse list of contacts Alex has assembled. One of the ideas that Alex discussed was the "American Dream".
After viewing some clips that George and Alex found on YouTube (Hood2Hood) I was literally taken aback by some of the things we saw. This is a completely different world some of these people live in, and it is truly unbelievable that this kind of lifestyle is found in the same country as Cedar Falls. Wow, do I feel naive and protected in my little Iowa bubble or what?
Anyways, Alex mentioned that the "American Dream" means different things to different people. Mexican immigrants come here looking for it. Gang members are looking for it. Cops are looking for it. The homeless are looking for it. This idea of the "American Dream" is probably something most people are familiar with, and we thought it might be interesting to ask those we interview what their personal "American Dream" is, and how they might achieve it.
We didn't really talk about how this relates to Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination though. Surely there is an angle, but we didn't really address the issue from that perspective in the time we had.
We decided to do some investigating to see what other documentaries/films etc may already exist that have focused on the "American Dream". Even if we find something that is similar, we discussed that our project would still be different, as each respondent would have a unique story to share.
Your comments would be most helpful!
hi all,
these are good posts and help me start to get a sense of what you guys are 'after'...please do (alex) post the content of that email you sent me re: the logistics of the project (who is going to be interviewed, etc)...it's informative..but also documents the work so far on the project.
jerry--you're heading in a direction i was going to suggest--watching some documentaries to get a sense of style, organization and focus. i'd like each of you to watch a documentary and post your comments about it here..one particular one i suggest is The Way We Get By (it's on netflix)...i suggest if for a couple of reasons...first, it's a documentary largely centered around interviews, which seems to be what you guys are gearing up for...second, it's got 2 clear themes....one focused on being a patriot--albeit maybe one you wouldn't consider--the people who greet the troups in a small maine airport when they return from war...and two--that this activity is essential to the quality of life of these old people....where it first it may look like the documentary is simply about what the troop greeters are doing for the soldiers, it quickly is apparant that it is much more complex than that--what this activity is doing for the greeters themselves....so consider watching a documentary (any one) a bit of a 'to do' for this week....next week's to do will probably ask you guys to formulate more concretely your theme for the documentary...
i'm also looking into funding options...
2/16/2010- Our group meeting tonight focused on narrowing to a specific topic or theme. One possible line of questioning to ask those interviewed was:
What was one defining moment you can remember when you experienced SPD? Compared to where they started, what have you faced that helped you to "fit in" today? Did it make you stronger? In what ways are you accepted now vs. being an outgroup member…what helped you become an “in group” member?
Yet other possible themes focused on Secondary Deviance, the idea that an observed deviant identity or identification is adopted by a user, and then shapes/influences future behavior. In simple terms "you look at me like a gangster/simple-minded/low-life/uneducated, well then I'll act like you expect me to". This was brought up because many people in compromising social positions may want to "get out" or "turn things around" but don't know how.
Another theme we discussed was Institutional Racism, and how that provides a direct link to the bias issues that occurred on campus last semester. Our list of potential interviewees has certainly experienced institutional racism of some sort, this may be a good linkage between them.
George said our documentary needs to be funny too, and I think we all agree that if he's featured, the entertainment value will quadruple :)
Finally, we discussed the Bridge Scholars program and the effect its had on many students. With the Hispanic/Latino/Mexican American population in Iowa growing by the year, this program seems to be providing at least to some, the resources necessary for higher education. Since many of the people on our interview list are affiliated or have been affiliated with the implementation of this program since its inception, they may be able to report on the successes and failures of this program, and provide a useful historical account of where we've been and where we're going. Maybe this program provides a way for those who feel "stuck" to "turn things around"... providing this new generation of Iowans with solid role models, armed with education, experience, and a perspective that is so important.
Your thoughts and comments are most appreciated, as we really want to find the right direction for this thing!
i think you would be eligible to apply for the panther fund: http://www.uni.edu/studentorgs/nisg/funding/funding-recognition-guidelines
focus on the creative aspect, the diversity of your group, the broad dissemination of the documentary and availability and thus impact on the entire student body upon completion (ie you would do a well advertised showing), and that you are seeking other sources of funding..these are all things that will help.
i've also requested information on funding from the diversity council...and there is some funding in the psych dept that you can apply for (remind me to talk to you about that in class).
Here is a list of participant that are willing to get interviewed.
Cedar Falls:
Dr. Micheal Blackwell (Director of CME) approved.
Dr. Janet McClain (Secondary Education) approved.
Mrs. Juanita Wright (assistant director of Financial Aid) approved.
Mr./Mrs. Carrillo (retired director of Financial Aid & DOR ) approved.
Dr. Ruth Chananie-Hill (sociology) approved.
James Day (Human Right Commission & NAACP) approved.
Micheal Muhammad (Radio owner/Muslim community leader)approved.
making arrangements to interview (Pastor Louis Farrakhan) waiting approval.
George: Interview with grandfather, witness to important participants during the civil rights movement.
San Antonio:
In the process: communicating with public affairs officer in the city of San Antonio, to interview mayor (Julian Castro) waiting approval
El Paso
Interview with Elizabeth parents.. in how they struggled and were helped in adjusting to living in America
Elizabeth is in Communication and waiting for a response from a shelter which helps immigrants, by establish citizenship as a social service in the process of immigrate processes. waiting approval
Group of Single, divorced, and married women. approved
Group of ex-gang members approved
Group of active gang members approved
Check out the Boarder Area to observe natural living and the difference between living in America or living in Mexico and the freedoms that most take for granted. (Open footage can film from US area/to dangerous to cross the boarder area, was advised not to go over to Mexico side)
Last meeting as a group we talked about if we could not get funding, we were thinking of filming here at UNI.
Here's a little sample update of some of the footage we're collecting for our project...its not a finished product or anything but it does flesh out our idea a bit more than just meeting updates....
http://www.vimeo.com/9982180
March 4,2010
> Elizabeth, George, John, and myself meet about 5:00 or 5:30pm to talk about what question we wanted to ask during the interviews. Coming up with four different question each.
March 6, 2010
> George, John and myself meet up on Saturday for the study circles, and interviewed four different individuals. from the list.
March 7, 2010.
> John went home and did a short film to show the progress which we as a group are doing.
March 9, 2010
> We meet Tuesday to talk about what we are doing for spring break..John gave a camera to George to interview his grandfather who know Medger Evers, and talked about his experience during the civil rights movement.
March 13 to 21 spring break..
March 25, George talked about his experience interviewing his grandfather and the stories in which he had faced during his experiences during the civil rights. We met and talked about what we needed to do next, in promoting the documentary film. The fact that we need to update the progress of what we are doing, and what interviews we had left to do.