U.S. History 1929-1934
Depression Docu-drama
Over the next few weeks your group will fill the role of producers, directors, and actors preparing and creating a documentary on the Great Depression (1929-1934). The goal of the video is to create a presentation that describes how the Depression affected all levels of American society and does so from the perspective of several characters who lived through the events. You should choose a genre for your video: e.g.: Romance, Drama, Action-Adventure etc. and follow the characters as they experience the Depression’s traumatic effects
Requirements: Each group's production must contain the following items although any extra details may be provided for the time period. Your video should focus on the socio-cultural events and include real facts, places, and events.
• Five distinct scenes that show your Depression-era characters in different situations.
• Interviews, monologues, or conversations with people from different levels of society in which they describe their experiences as the Great Depression progressed. NOTE: One of these interviews must be with or excerpted from an interview with a family member or acquaintance of any group member who actually experienced the Depression and one of the interviews must be with a character from The Grapes of Wrath.
• A political critique of the Presidential contenders of the period and analysis of the
New Deal programs
• Economics: A piece on why the Depression began and how America climbed out of
its grip.
• (A script must be shown to the instructor the day prior to the video’s viewing in class)
Group Mechanics: Each group must have six members who fill the following roles. Remember, however, in order for a group to run smoothly individuals must share tasks.
Producer- coordinates the group's work and troubleshoots
*Reporter/Editor- Researches and writes segments, edits final product
Set designer- creates appropriate graphics and storyboard
Audio Engineer- prepares and tape records interviews, music
Video Engineer- sets up and films the scenes; may help in editing
Actors- all
* = really need at least two in this role
AssessmentYour grade will be based on the following (NOTE: Late videos are down 20% a day- No Excuses)
• 05% Following directions – staying within time limits and turning in
storyboard/video on time
• 10% Organization – logical progression of video plot
• 60% Content - inclusion of key concepts of the period, historical accuracy critical
thought/analysis
• 25% showmanship - interest, graphics, scene transitions, special effects etc.
Resources
•Textbook/ Class Library/Novel: The Grapes of Wrath
•Mr. Davey’s computer lab- Ask him....you never know he only has five classes to teach, a sport
to coach, and two daughters at home.