Documentary

Introduction

“How do you creatively and truthfully portray a significant person, group, place, idea, or issue in the community?”

For the Junior Documentary Project, learn how to research, interview, film, and edit. Whether it’s personal stories or big societal issues, this project brings stories to life. It’s about understanding others, feeling empathy, and connecting through shared experiences. Ultimately, it’s about showing the power of storytelling to bring people together and shed light on different perspectives. I learned how to write a profile article, create a film documentary, and utilize InDesign to create a magazine for my profile.

Profile Article

The goal of this English assignment was to write a compelling profile article about a local person. I decided to interview my dad, Lior Delgo. After the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, part of an Israeli special forces unit, including my dad, departed on a plane to Rwanda where their mission was to set up a field hospital and provide aid. My dad helped protect and treat civilians in dire conditions. His firsthand experience in Rwanda profoundly changed his perspective on adaptability and resilience of people. He then went on to become a successful business CEO in the technology world. This assignment gave me the opportunity to write and document this story.

Click on the image below to check it out!

Film

Mockumentary Film

The mockumentary assignment was a very fun project that taught us the very basic elements of a traditional documentary. We learned about lighting, positioning of cameras, using external microphones, and including B-roll (supplemental or alternative footage intercut with the main shot).

Documentary Film

BEHIND THE SCENES!!

Interviewee Bios

Nora Mason is a piano teacher with an enormous passion for music. With her experience, she has seen firsthand how music helps make connections in others lives and most importantly, her own life. She has also volunteered at memory facilities and has witnessed the ways they have music connects people with their past.

Aidan Greathouse is the lead singer Casino Youth, a pop-punk band from the Bay Area. Being a part of this band has greatly changed his perspective on music and especially how music brings people together.

Elijah Greathouse is the drummer for Casino Youth. He sees music as a way to escape and express his emotions. It is something that has taught him a lot about his own emotions.

Mimi Zarkover is a very close family friend to Liad and his family. She was present throughout the recovery to his major injury and was there to experience the transformative power of music.

10 months ago Liad has a very serious injury. He had a heart attack while biking where he was then unconscious for several minutes before being found by a passing UPS driver. Liad was in a coma for nearly 4 weeks after that. Despite the tragic and hopeless situation, Liad woke up to a song, singing.

Reflection

During the Documentary Unit, I learned that authenticity is key in storytelling. I learned how crucial it is to create a comfortable environment for people when interviewing them. From this project, I was able to document stories of people and recognize the power of genuine narratives and the impact they can have.

Thank you to Lucy and Jessie for being the best film partners. Thank you to everyone who shared their powerful stories. Thank you Mr. Taylor. Thank you Freestyle!