AVA's Reel Stories documentary film project was the winner of the 2011 WTCI Be More Award in the Be More Enriched category. This is the category for educational outreach, and the award recognizes an organization that strives to educate the community through guidance, knowledge and/or a mentorship program. Examples include a program/project aimed at improving specific aspects of community life and introducing and/or conducting community enrichment programs. Read the official Be More Award Winners announcement.
The
Reel Stories documentary film project allows high school students to
explore and develop their own group documentary film. With the
assistance of artists-in-residence, students spend two weeks viewing
and discussing a series of documentary films that span community,
environmental, and political issues. Students are then exposed to
research methodologies used to create documentary films, such as
interviewing, recording, and data collecting. For the remaining 12
weeks, students choose a project topic, conduct the appropriate
research, begin film production, construct a film narrative, and assist
with editing the final product. This project is designed to give the
participating students a voice and a vision to share with the public
and a chance to tell their story.
The first group of students to participate in AVA’s "Reel Stories"
program were nine teenagers from Tyner Academy. This group explored
social
differences and stereotypes by asking the question, “Does the music we
listen to define who we are, or do we define the music?” The group
focused on two musical genres, hip-hop and rock, and looked at
social images each genre portrays in the public eye. Since the charter
group, there have been five more "Reel Stories" films completed: a
second at Tyner Academy, one at the Brainerd Recreational Center, one at
the Glenwood Recreational Center, CSAS and the most current project at East Hamilton High School.
The Reel Stories Documentary Project is made possible through continued support from the Tennessee Arts Commission's Arts Education Community
Learning Grant.
HAIR, HAIR AND MORE HAIR and TO DOCUMENT - Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (2010)
In 2010 students at CSAS produced two short films. In Hair, Hair, and More Hair, the crew explored the world of hair. They looked at different styles of hair as well as its social context in relation to how people see themselves and those around them. To Document is a documentary about making documentaries. The students followed fellow group members around and documented the group’s attempt at accomplishing their first film. The films were screened on Saturday, April 24, 2010, 2-4pm at Greenspaces. Both documentaries can be viewed in full below.
I ARE A GENIUS - Tyner Academy (2009)
In 2009 the students of Tyner Academy produced their
feature-length film about problems in the current educational system,
entitled I Are a Genius. You can view the film in full below.
GOLDEN GRILLZ & SATAN LIKES PUPPIES - Tyner Academy (2007)
Golden Grillz & Satan Likes Puppies is a documentary film
about rock, rap, the individual, and the group, produced by students
from Tyner Academy in 2007. The film takes a
look at stereotypes and individuality through the eyes of young people.
Students worked side by side with professional filmmakers, editors, and
project coordinators in order to produce the film. They acted as
directors, writers, videographers, and music composers. You can view the film below in full.
HAIR, HAIR AND MORE HAIR and TO DOCUMENT - Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (2010)