On Location

Fully in Foley

Our welcome has come in such abundance here in Alabama, it's like our own Mobile Bay Jubilee! The students and families in Foley have shared their incredible friendliness and hospitality-- not to mention the wonderful food (like black-eyed pea caviar!) And, the students met the bust with a 4x6 foot map of the United States-- we can't wait to hang it! 

As the week progressed, it became clear that the personal relationship and connection that artist Ricky Trione has with these students is something special -- full of sharing and collaboration. We already see how its leading to a great team and a great story--it has been a great week!

Art on a Grand Scale

Although the afternoon bell and last-minute announcements put the shoot on hold for a minute or two, the students regrouped for a thoroughly enjoyable interview with stained glass artist Dee Mays Lewis. Filming the creation of the 4 x 6 foot stained glass panels was a big job, but the footage brought exclamations of "Cool!" when the students reviewed it on Thursday. 

While the editors spent the last day working on pulling the clips together, the rest of the class created title "graffiti" on large pieces of white paper as they brainstormed names for their film-- a new way to get our ideas out, and one that the team may use in our next location, Foley, Alabama!

Through the Hills of Chattanooga

The bus was met by waving banners and cheering students as the team arrived at Normal Park Museum Magnet School. What a great way to start our week together! 

The smaller class size has let us work on the bus each day, collaborating on story ideas and structure. The students are seasoned interviewers, and they had lots of ideas and tips to share—we’ll be sure to pass them along to our next schools, too!

Creative Endings

We wrapped up our visit to Detroit with a week of great, collaborative work. The students did the hard, creative work of shaping their story and interview questions, debating and crafting their story. 

The location shoot happened right in the school, focusing on the rehearsal of a unique, multi-genre creative movement and painting piece, which featured fellow middle school students dancing an abstract mural into existence. Quite a story to tell!