This project was probably the most difficult part of the entire Bridge program for me. Looking back, I feel this was both a good thing and a bad thing. I feel it's a bad thing, because in the end I honestly don't believe my video reached its fullest potential. On the other had I feel it is a good thing because I learned numerous valuable lessons upon the course of completion. For instance, I learned it's very helpful to have a plan, whether it be a storyboard, an outline, or even basic notes on where you're going with the project. In the previous project, I really took advantage of the in class exercises we did, and they really helped to shape my project. This time, however, it was really up to us to come up with our own strategies that would best help us complete the project. Another thing I learned was to not procrastinate. I've had various experiences that should have served as reason to never ever procrastinate again. But I truly belive that this experience, with working with Orlando and staying up till 8 in the morning! really did teach me to not procrastinate.

One of the things that I did different this time was I worked in a group. I did my final project with Orlando. I know there's the phrase "two heads are better than one" but there were plenty times that having two people didn't make the project easier, but twice as hard. Because, even while you could split the numerous tasks, there were many times that you had to consider two points of view rather than just deciding something and moving on. Don't get me wrong though, in the end, I am very happy that I worked with Orlando. I'm glad because we had a nice balance in the work load, also because we both had great ideas when it came to constructing the project.

The hardest part of the project for Orlando and I was definitely coming up with a topic. First, we thought we wanted to do kind of a humorus piece that would focus on the issue of violence, and we would create a music video to the song beat it by Michael Jackson...problem, we only had two people in our group.  Next, we decided to do a Digital Storytelling project on Homelessness, we were going to focus on homelessness and poverty in Minneapolis. We were supposably going to collect footage and photos  from around downtown Minneapolis ...how? We didn't have a clue, and we still don't. The third idea we had was to switch our focus from poverty to consumerism in the U.S...We honestly thought that we were going to go with this idea. We probably spent two days collecting media and pictures for this particular idea. When we worked on this topic, however, we had no drive. We didn't have a gift, and we didn't feel connected to the project. Realizing this dilemma was hard for us, but it was critical for us to recognize this problem and fix it, and the only way to do that was change our topic. I can remember that moment in time exactly "Orlando..."

            "Yeah Tiffany?"

            "I hate to say it but..."

            "But what?"

            "I think we need to...switch our topic..." 

            "...*sigh* your right...what are we gonna do?"

Mind you this occurred Wednesday, the day before the rough cut was due. We then brainstormed again and miraculously came up with a topic that no one could've ever guessed. Kidding, we chose dnace and piano!

            We quickly got started on this project gathing media. We were gather mostly photos and also youtube videos along with a voice over track and then music too. Being that we changed out topic so late, we were working on it we spent a lot of time on the day that we decided to change it the first time. After about twelve hours, we had a minute of roughly edited footage, which for us was good.  After another loooong day of tedius work, last minute filiming, picture taking, photo uploading, interviews, constructing, repetitive rendering, and massive deadly errors...we finally had our piece.

As I said earlier, I really wish that I would've been more organized in my approach to the entire program. This really brings me back to Lambert and the different approaches to finishing the project that he gives us such as writing exercises and what not. Also, another thing that Lambert shares that really helps with story building in general is the seven elements. Paying attention to these elements would've have helped Orlando and I to choose a topic that we were emotionally attached to a lot sooner.

Also, looking at other articles I found on academic search premier like Mastering Digital Media by Jenniger Dempski and even First Person Singular: The Power of Digital Storytelling by Genevieve Tucker, and also based on what I learned in class, it has been made clear the power that Digital storytelling can have if you use it well. So I've learned that only in approaching the video with the correct manner  can your have its fullest potential.

I have really enjoyed this class and all that I've learned. Both the good and the bad. I'm glad that I am able to see what I did wrong and learn from it.

Personally, I want to say it has been a privilege to be in your class, you have inspired me to do whatever I want regardless of what the statistics say. Again congrats on your Doctorate, I know you'll go far!!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Balamurugan, Anasuya. "Fostering Community through Digital Storytelling: A Guide for Academic Libraries." Program: Electronic Library & Information Systems 43.1 (2009): 112-3.

Demski, Jennifer. "Mastering Digital Media." T H E Journal 36.4 (2009): 19-.

Tucker, Genevieve. "First Person Singular: The Power of Digital Storytelling." Screen Education.42 (2006): 54-8.

Journey is the best way to describe this class.  Ironically I have always been interested in the creation of movies, videos and cartoons.  I often wonder what it would be like if I created my own personal video.  In this class I was given the opportunity to do that.  I learned more that I thought I would in while taking this course.  I was never really aware of how much time and work it take to edit a video.  Throughout this journey I have learned more about myself as well.  Knowing that I have always had a passion of writing poetry, I was curious as to what I would ever be able to do with it.  Normally my poems just sit in a notebook.  In this class I was able to put my words to use (literally).  For as long as I can remember I have been very apprehensive about sharing my writing and words with others.  Obviously, I have gotten over it, for the most part, despite the strong apprehension.  

I never expected to have fun in a college class, also I never expected to be so determined to start and finish work in a class.  This class changed my prior thoughts.  I am incredibly grateful and feel very fortunate and lucky to have had the opportunity to participate in this digital storytelling class, along with watching others digital stories.  I am glad that I chose this class instead of the CLU!! 

Lastly, I want to thank Rachel and Eddie you two really helped me and were able to give me useful feedback and advice on my work! 

Mario Lamar Terrell II

From this journey I will take...

            The importance and passion of the true storytelling art form and its concepts. I will take theory in account for anything I choose to do and life, as well as practice and reflection. I will take the knowledge and connections I have made as well as the gift of storytelling. I will take great pride, honor, trials, and tribulations I have experienced with being a bridge student. I will take the influences from Rachel as well as Eddie and Syressa. I will take all of the skills that I developed over these past six weeks as well as new knowledge of Bridge mates and myself. I will take time management skills and I will also take the mistakes I have made as a bridge student with me, so I do not have to learn the hard way anymore. I will take a great education as well as connections along with all of my passions, on this great, long, challenging, but fun four-year journey!

            I would like to take the time to thank all of the staff, faculty, and students of the bridge program for the greatest six weeks of my life. I will never forget these moments for the rest of my life.  

From this journey I will take patience, time management, and the idea of media praxis with me. I also learned that a story is a gift.  

I have learned patience because it takes time to complete a wonderful piece of art. Although it may be frustrating at times, the outcome is always good.

I have learned time management because I realize now that it helps a lot to have a schedule or an outline for your project.  If you do not have the proper time management, you might fall behind, turn in incomplete work, or even lose sleep (not that you don't already lose some just for being in college).

Another thing I have learned is the idea of media praxis.  I learned that to tell a story, we need to have a theory, a practice, and a critical reflection.  The theory part is considered as the idea of your piece of work.  The practice part is considered as actually creating your project.  The critical reflection part is considered as explaining what you learned about you, your project, the process in creating your piece, and what it took for you to tell your story.

On the first day of class, my professor, Rachel Raimist informed me that a story was a gift.   At first, I was unaware of the meaning.  Now that I have completed the Digital Storytelling class, I understand what it means to say that a story is a gift.  It is something that we tell people who we and others are.  We tell stories to show personality and emotion.

I really enjoyed this class because it gave me a bigger voice.  I not was able to just express my feelings openly, but to show them too.  I would say that I am a pretty quiet person, but this class helped me open myself up to new things, new people, and new surroundings.

Thank you so much Rachel Raimist, Eddie Glenn, Syressa Lewis, and Walt Jacobs.  You all have made my journey here in the Bridge to Academic Excellence Program an honor.  I have gained so much more knowledge, not only about myself, but also about the University.  I will miss you guys and hope to see you guys around.  Take care.

-Jessica Chang