VOICES 2013-2014

voices 1

Student-produced documentaries at South High

I have been helping students at Minneapolis South High create documentaries that explore social issues for nearly twenty years.

The VOICES class incorporates the subjects of social studies, English, and media studies. Students who take the class are encouraged to explore and engage in issues in the world today. In addition to course work on society and expression, students learn about photography, radio, and documentary film production.

The Voices class is led by South High teachers Tanya Hodge, Delainia Haug and Laura Lanik. In addition to the day to day schoolwork, they arrange for the class to learn from media professionals who can guide the students to create work that is powerful and engaging.

In 2013-14, photographer Wing Young Huie worked with the students in the medium of photography, MPR's Toni Randolph guided them in the production of audio podcasts, and videomaker John Akre led them in the creation of documentary films.

The documentaries that the students produced explore issues such as early childhood education, rape culture, the pressure of high school sports recruiting, community gardens, girls and science, food justice, and many more. Students learned how to conduct interviews, shoot interesting video, and how to edit their material together to create a story and a message. All the videos come from the unique perspective of their makers, high school seniors.

The VOICES program receives funding from the South High Foundation.

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