Course Description

For the past three years, teams of Film and Anthropology students spread out across Washington seeking untold stories… and discovering the remarkable. These films tell stories of individuals… and of organizations in the DC area that work for social change. This class was developed and taught by Filmmaker-in- Residence, Nina Shapiro-Perl.

Spring 2010 Videos | Fall 2009 Videos | Spring 2009 Videos | Fall 2008 Videos

Outstanding Student Work

DC Youth Orchestra

Organization: DC Youth Orchestra
Filmmakers: Shayna Cohen, Kimberly Bryden and Ted Samuel

DC Youth Orchestra Program

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This video was created by students as part of the course UNSEEN AND UHEARD: Documentary Storytelling in the Other Washington.

Mitchell's Story

Organization: Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place
Filmmaker: Bridget Klein

Mitchell's Story

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This video was created by students as part of the course UNSEEN AND UNHEARD: Documentary Storytelling in the Other Washington

Seafarers: A Place on the River

Organization: Seafarers Yacht Club
Filmmakers: Amy Falkow, Jordan Oeste, Sarah Otto

Seafarers: A Place on the River

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This video was created by students as part of the course UNSEEN AND UNHEARD: Documentary Storytelling in the Other Washington

Looking Both Ways: H.I.P.S.

Organization: HIPS
Filmmakers: Elijah Edelman, Allison Girres

Looking Both Ways: H.I.P.S.

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This video was created by students as part of the course UNSEEN AND UNHEARD: Documentary Storytelling in the Other Washington

Films from this course, UNSEEN & UNHEARD: Documentary Storytelling in the Other Washington, tell stories that connect us to people changing their lives and to the organizations that help make change happen. They are part of a new, interdisciplinary effort at American University between the Department of Anthropology, the School of Communication and the University Library called the Community Voice Project. CVP finds innovative ways to capture, document and amplify the stories of the people of Washington, DC and help shape urban social policies responsive to the history and experience of Washington's neighborhoods often left out of the public debate.

For more information contact: Nina Shapiro-Perl, PhD, Filmmaker-in-Residence American University
shapirop@american.edu