Visual Storytelling for Civic Engagement

This class introduces students to the uses of video for civic engagement and development projects, and trains students in the basics of smartphone-based documentary film techniques. Taught by an award-winning group of documentary filmmakers, this class builds on classic PBS and BBC documentary film techniques. This is a group- and project-based class, in which students work in teams of 3-4 semester-long video projects, including at least 4 days of location-based filming during the semester. Classwork is divided into three parts: 1) pre-recorded videos and tutorials, 2) in-person class meetings twice weekly, which include 6 network-wide sessions, and 3) a series of small group trainings and follow-ups to support team projects. Students will learn the basics of visual storytelling, field production, interviewing techniques, and basic video editing. This course is open to students new to filmmaking, as well as more experienced documentary filmmakers. This is a fast-paced and rigorous course that requires commitment and teamwork. 

This is an OSUN Network Collaborative Course taught in collaboration with Al-Quds Bard, American University of Central Asian, BRAC University, and European Humanities University.  All participating campuses will have smartphone stabilizers, tripods, lights, and audio kits for student use. All required gear and software will be provided, along with limited funds for project travel and production costs. Student films will be shown at an end-of-semester course-wide online film festival, and select films will be chosen for use as “digital case studies” for other future OSUN classes.

This course counts toward the Civic Engagement certificate.