High school students in the Digital Production class have taken on an important project this year–creating a series of anti-bullying videos to raise awareness and promote kindness among their peers. Their films are being shown during the Blackbird Cage morning announcements, and are seen by students in grades 6-12. The work coincides with October’s Bullying Prevention Month.
Under the guidance of teacher Mr. Kyle Turski, students formed teams to script, film, and edit the videos. The goal was to depict real-life scenarios and then provide strategies for handling them.
Senior Michael H. and junior Ellie C. formed one team. Ellie said the videos offer a new way to raise awareness.
“By focusing on anti-bullying in fun, entertaining, little snippets, it engages people a little more, and then students can recognize bullying when they see it,” said Ellie.
She notes that keeping the videos short enough to air during morning announcements is a challenge. Michael agreed with her, and he talked about other production aspects.
“It’s timing and schedules,” he said in reference to filming student and teacher actors. “We usually just have first period to work with.”
Some of their filming is done on cell phones at campus locations; other filming happens in the school studio.
The project taps into the power of media and gives students valuable experience as they hone the technical skills they’ve acquired in pre-requisite courses.
“At this class level my students have already learned image, audio, and video editing; they’ve also learned animation, layout, design, and special effects,” said Mr. Turski. “For this advanced project, they are also honing their writing skills, collaborating and being creative.”
One recent film depicted a student asking someone to do their homework and retaliating when they refused. Another film depicted one adult shutting down another in conversation. Both videos demonstrated a strategy for reconciliation.
While October is Bullying Prevention Month, the district commitment to creating a welcoming community is an ongoing priority. All year, lessons on character and peer relationships are woven into classroom instruction, with a special focus on the district’s BIRDS motto: Be Inclusive, Responsible, Determined and Strong.