Make-Your-Own-Film Resource

At its heart, Stories of Us is a means of investigating subjects of core concern to young people, and translating their findings into stories which are shared with others through the medium of digital film. Schools have expressed a great deal of interest in this process – which has led to the development of the Make-Your-Own-Film Resource.

This resource provides step-by-step instructions for teachers and students in the Stories of Us method so they can produce their own short (and simple) videos. The focus here is on the investigative process, researching the subject, and building realistic timelines to explore how (for example) bullying develops – how it begins, what happens to perpetuate the problem, the role of bystanders, the reality of students’ attempts to deal with the problem, and outcomes. The resource will include instruction in basic filmmaking, however students will be encouraged to keep this aspect as simple as possible, with minimal camera angles and editing. The resource requires that they develop stories within the limitations of their class and school – working with the students available in the class, making allowances for friendship groups, drawing upon their existing abilities, and filming in areas acceptable to their school.

The professional student films are presented in this resource as an example of what can be achieved by students with little or no previous experience with acting or filmmaking. Seen from this perspective, students watching these films are inspired and empowered by the potential to authentically communicate their own collective experience. Also included will be behind-the-scenes footage of the development and production of the professional student film to illustrate the process.

As a further encouragement to students, finished videos produced using the criteria of the method will be able to be uploaded to a dedicated section of this web site, and a national competition is also planned, the emphasis being on the investigative, collaborative process and realistic storytelling rather than technical filmmaking skills.

Ideally this resource will be used in conjunction with the Classroom version. The Make-Your-Own videos will be developed and produced under teacher supervision, and students will be dissuaded from revealing sensitive information.

As with the other resources in the series, the Make-Your-Own-Film Resource is being developed in consultation with educators to ensure the best fit with the school curriculum.

Other resources in the program:
Classroom Resource
Professional Development Resource
Community Education Resource