VIETNAM 2011
OUR EXPERIENCE
Reel Youth has worked twice with the United Nations International School in Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi) exploring the intersection of film and community advocacy. In 2011, Reel Youth spent five weeks at UNIS Hanoi. Based around the United Nation’s 2011 theme, Cultural Rapprochement, Reel Youth facilitated the creation of 400 short films (Grades 4-9) building empathy for other cultures by reflecting on student’s own backgrounds and family stories. Reel Youth worked more intensively with a selection of high schoolers to deepen their reflections around 'Community and Service', through the creation of 13 mini documentaries. Finally Reel Youth facilitated Professional Development programs for the teachers on Digital Storytelling, Filmmaking and Social Media. In addressing the International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures, Reel Youth focused on the UN-identified themes of: Promoting reciprocal knowledge of cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity. Building a framework for commonly shared values. Community and Service (CAS) was a core group of 16 dedicated highschool students who learned the basic elements of documentary filmmaking from idea to completion. In groups of three, the CAS group created films that celebrated individuals from Thuy An Village in Bavi and small hill tribe villages just outside of Sapa (Northern Vietnam).
PROJECT DETAILS
Group dynamics, the responsibilities that come along with 'power' and 'privilege', and exploring the ideas of ‘aid’ versus ‘solidarity’ were some of the foundations Reel Youth laid before venturing into the field.
The CAS students learned how to:
•Plan and storyboard a film.
•Conduct interviews with cultural sensitivity.
•Set up a shot with consideration of the lighting, framing and audio.
•Flush out a narrative with introductory, transition and descriptive shots.
•Edit video footage into a film.
•Add sound effects and a soundtrack.
The CAS students screened their films to fellow students, faculty, family and the young people from Sapa. Watch more of the CAS Films.
Grades 6–8: Video Production
In three sessions, students explored how culture manifests in their lives through short films. They wrote and narrated personal poems and learned:
•Rule of thirds, perspective, light, and framing
•Basic editing, importing and exporting film
Grades 4–5: Digital Storytelling
These students created digital photo stories. They learned photography fundamentals and built visual narratives to introduce themselves and reflect their individuality.
Reel Youth ran three hands-on workshops for UNIS teachers:
•Creative Video Engagement
•Digital Storytelling
•Social Media
These sessions included:
•Games and creative risk-taking
•Social norm setting for inclusive classrooms
•Guided exercises to create their own media using detailed instructions and handouts
