Project 3 was created to educate individuals with limited knowledge about the Black Panther Party and the Black Lives Matter Movement through a video interview format, aiming to bridge knowledge gaps and foster awareness. Utilizing my younger cousin Justin as the interviewee, someone unfamiliar with the subject matter, served to demonstrate the project’s effectiveness in education and familiarization. Throughout the interview, I delved into the cultural significance of both movements, dissecting their portrayal in the media and providing context into their impact on American society. This approach aimed to deepen understanding of the historical and social contexts surrounding these movements, ultimately promoting dialogue on issues of racial equality and social justice. Furthermore, selecting Justin for the project was strategic; his lack of prior knowledge made him an ideal interviewee for showcasing the project’s efficacy in educating individuals with no prior knowledge on the topic. Additionally, this project served as an opportunity to refine my interviewing and editing skills, further enhancing my ability to communicate complex topics effectively through visual media.
In selecting the mode and medium for this project, I made a deliberate choice to leverage the power of video interviews. By opting for this format, I aimed to capture the verbal exchange but also to point out the genuine reactions, visual cues, and expressions from someone hearing about the movements for the first time. These elements were important in effectively conveying the explanations and reactions associated with the movements under discussion. Furthermore, providing visual evidence to complement the narrative, I included image representations relevant to the topics and individuals discussed throughout the video. Additionally, I integrated background audio into the video interviews, strategically using music to show the differences between the two movements being explained. This multisensory approach was intended to enhance the overall immersive experience for both the interviewee and the audience, by creating a deeper connection with the subject matter.
The choice of a video format offered both experiential and practical advantages. Beyond facilitating easier comprehension of complex concepts through visual cues like body language and facial expressions, the format helped convey emotions and genuine responses, helping those with no prior knowledge of the topic, like my cousin Justin to better understand. By summarizing the content, it made it more relatable and engaging, thus enhancing communication and knowledge transfer. Additionally, integrating mediums like images and audio provided a more immersive experience, reinforcing the narrative and connecting viewers to the past. Background music, including songs from relevant eras (such “free bobby now” and “No More”) and genres influenced by them, not only added atmosphere but also reflected the cultural impact of the discussed movements, enhancing engagement throughout the interview process.
Using a visual media style for the project posed numerous challenges, including striking a balance between delivering a scripted performance and capturing genuine reactions. A significant hurdle was ensuring a natural tone while delivering the script, avoiding bias in explanations to Justin (the Interviewee), and Justin seriously struggling to not crack jokes during recording and we had to re-record as well would just start laughing from trying to talk seriously. Finding quiet time for the interview proved difficult, occasionally resulting in background noise that disrupted the flow. The time-consuming editing process (Especially on Microsoft Clipchamp), focused on audio cleanup and visual enhancement, added complexity. Moreover, sourcing copyright-free images and ensuring legal use of audio, primarily instrumental tracks to maintain coherence, were additional hurdles aimed at preserving the integrity of the final product.
Concerning the implications of sharing my work, I believe that it could provide valuable clarification for individuals who may not be well-versed in the history and significance of the Black Panther Party and the Black Lives Matter movement. By presenting this information within its historical and cultural context, the work has the potential to educate and enlighten those who may not have a thorough understanding of these movements. Through careful revisions and feedback, I aimed to ensure that the content effectively communicates these important narratives to a diverse audience whether it be to a younger audience such as those of Justin’s age or older audiences. (Note: Thanks professor Perry for a great semester)