Evolving Reels: My Story Unmasked

High School Grade Project 5 weeks

Evolving Reels: My Story Unmasked

Julia B

Feb 5, 2026

Updated Feb 5, 2026

Effective Communication

Self Directed Learning

Collaboration

Content Expertise

Academic Mindset

+ 1 more

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Purpose

Through creating a found footage documentary, you will embark on a personal exploration of your journey as a high school student, capturing pivotal moments of social development and the influences of those around you. By collaborating with industry experts like Bad Neighbor Studio and Rentals, you will develop critical skills in filmmaking, editing, and storytelling. Your project culminates in an end-of-the-year screening, where the documentary serves as a reflective piece highlighting personal growth and shared experiences, sparking discussion on how these narratives shape our understanding of life and identity.

Learning goals

Develop a compelling documentary that captures your high school journey while exploring the impact of others on your personal growth. Enhance your skills in editing, sound mixing, voiceovers, and storytelling, with a focus on portraying authentic experiences. Use feedback from peers, teachers, and industry mentors to refine your work, deepening your understanding of communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Conclude with a public screening event that highlights your project's impact and fosters a sense of community and shared reflection. Through this process, embrace self-directed learning and cultivate an academic mindset that appreciates personal and collective growth.

Competencies

Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.
Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Throughout this project, you will create a series of edited video clips as you refine your filmmaking skills, including filming, sound mixing, and voiceovers. These clips will represent different stages of your personal journey, capturing the essence of your high school experiences. The final product will be a cohesive found footage documentary that showcases your social development and reflects on personal growth through loss and gain. To conclude, host an end-of-the-year screening event featuring everyone involved in your documentary's creation, celebrating shared experiences and growth.

Launch

Begin your project by hosting a collaborative brainstorming session with your community partners, including Bad Neighbor Studio and Rentals, Women in Cinema SD, Matthew Fitzpatrick, and Lucas Williams. Use this session to introduce the essential question and discuss potential themes and segments for your documentary. Engage in hands-on workshops covering filming techniques, editing basics, and the emotional impact of music in storytelling. Set personal goals and outline a timeline that aligns with your five-week project plan. Kick off the filming process by capturing preliminary footage that showcases your current perspectives and experiences in high school.

Exhibition

Host an end-of-year screening event for your documentary, inviting all individuals featured in the film and those who contributed to its creation. Provide a platform for presenting your journey, allowing attendees to engage in discussions about the themes explored in the documentary. Set up a gallery walk showcasing key behind-the-scenes moments and personal reflections, encouraging viewers to leave comments and feedback. Integrate interactive components, such as live Q&A sessions with you and your collaborators, to deepen the audience's understanding and connection to the project.

Rubric

Competency Progression Rubric Competency-first rubric

Category	Learning Goal	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
Deeper Learning Competencies	Effective Communication	I can actively engage in discussions with my community partners during the brainstorming session and express my ideas clearly I can attentively listen to others and incorporate multiple perspectives into my documentary planning, ensuring our themes and segments reflect a shared vision.	I can communicate effectively by clearly presenting my ideas during brainstorming sessions and workshops, ensuring I actively listen to others and incorporate their feedback into my documentary project I show empathy and understanding when discussing themes, and my film clips reflect authentic storytelling by demonstrating how I've connected with diverse perspectives.	I can confidently express my personal story and perspectives in my documentary by incorporating feedback from my peers, teachers, and community partners I actively participate in workshops and discussions, enhancing my ability to communicate through visual storytelling and engaging themes My documentary effectively demonstrates my understanding of emotional impact through careful music selection and editing, prompting meaningful discussions during the end-of-year screening.	I can effectively communicate my journey and insights by leading a public screening event where I present my documentary, engage my audience in discussions about the themes, and respond confidently to questions during the Q&A.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Self Directed Learning	I can set my own goals and create a timeline for my documentary project, taking initiative to ask for feedback from my peers, teachers, and community partners when I need it I can use this feedback to make improvements and adjustments to my work, showing my ability to monitor my progress and adapt my approach.	I can initiate my project by actively participating in a brainstorming session with community partners, clearly expressing my ideas and listening to others I set initial personal goals and create a basic timeline for my project, using feedback to adjust my plan as needed I am beginning to use the initial skills from workshops, like filming techniques, editing basics, and understanding music's emotional impact, to capture engaging preliminary footage that shows my high school experiences.	I can effectively set and adjust personal goals for my documentary project, using feedback from peers and mentors to make informed decisions and improve my work I consistently reflect on my progress, identifying areas where I need additional skills or resources, and take initiative to seek them out, ensuring my project remains on track with my timeline and vision.	I can effectively use feedback from teachers, peers, and industry professionals to independently revise my documentary, ensuring each edit enhances the narrative clarity and emotional depth I take initiative to set and meet personal deadlines, consistently reflecting on my progress and adjusting my plan to optimize my learning and project outcomes.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Collaboration	I actively engage in brainstorming sessions with my community partners, contribute my ideas effectively, and listen to others to co-design a successful documentary project that reflects high school experiences and personal growth.	I can actively participate in group discussions with my community partners, sharing my ideas and listening to others I contribute to decision-making processes by providing feedback and considering different viewpoints.	I actively participate in co-designing my documentary project, sharing ideas and making decisions as part of a team, while respecting different perspectives I effectively communicate and resolve conflicts when they arise, ensuring a supportive environment for all collaborators I confidently assume leadership roles when needed, guiding our team towards a successful project completion.	I can effectively lead a collaborative team with my peers and community partners to create an engaging and impactful documentary By facilitating group brainstorming sessions, incorporating diverse perspectives, and coordinating roles, I ensure each team member's strengths are utilized I can manage project timelines, mediate conflicts when they arise, and synthesize feedback to make informed decisions, showcasing my ability to work cooperatively towards a common goal.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Content Expertise	I can develop and present a series of video clips that effectively showcase my high school experiences and growth I use beginner-level filming and editing techniques, such as basic cuts and simple transitions, to tell my story I seek and apply feedback from my peers and mentors as I work on my documentary, demonstrating my understanding of the basics of sound mixing and voiceovers I contribute to planning our end-of-year screening event, preparing to share my work and reflect on what I've learned.	"I can apply fundamental filmmaking techniques by capturing and editing video clips that reflect key moments of my high school experience, showcasing basic storytelling elements such as structure and theme."	I can effectively apply filming techniques and editing skills to create video clips that authentically capture significant moments and themes of my high school experience, showing growth and impact through thoughtful reflection on my journey My documentary is cohesive and expertly integrates sound mixing and voiceovers to enhance storytelling, demonstrating my ability to present my perspective in a compelling way.	I can create a cohesive and compelling found footage documentary that authentically captures my high school journey and personal growth I effectively apply advanced filming, editing, and storytelling techniques learned from industry professionals to convey meaningful narratives My final documentary thoughtfully reflects the influence of my peers and community and sparks engaging discussions during the screening event.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Academic Mindset	I can recognize and describe how my experiences and relationships throughout high school have shaped my personal identity and growth, using my documentary to communicate these insights during the screening event.	I can reflect on my high school experiences by recognizing the ways people around me have influenced my growth I include feedback from my community partners and peers to enhance my documentary I can express my personal journey in a way that is authentic and connects with others, contributing to a shared reflection when presenting my work.	I confidently explore the impact of my high school experiences and the people around me on my personal growth by creating a compelling documentary I thoughtfully engage with feedback from peers and mentors, using their insights to refine my storytelling skills in editing and voiceovers, while showcasing authentic moments During the end-of-year screening, I actively participate in discussions, sharing and reflecting on my journey, which fosters community connection and shared reflection.	I can confidently share my documentary project with an audience, explaining how it reflects my personal growth and high school journey I value the feedback from my peers, teachers, and community partners, using their insights to enhance my work I actively engage in discussions during the screening, demonstrating my understanding of how my experiences contribute to my identity and belonging, and I facilitate meaningful conversations about the themes explored in my documentary.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Critical Thinking & Problem Solving	I can brainstorm creative solutions and new ideas for my documentary's themes and content, and work effectively with community partners to understand different perspectives and address any challenges that come up during filming and editing.	I can identify and use a few different approaches to understanding complex questions about my high school experiences, and I apply basic problem-solving strategies when challenges arise during my documentary project.	I can effectively use a variety of filming techniques and editing tools to address the documentary's essential questions, collaborating with industry experts and peers to creatively solve challenges and enhance the storytelling I assess feedback from community partners to refine my project, exploring authentic narratives and integrating innovative approaches to communicate the impact of my high school experiences and growth.	I can confidently apply a variety of innovative and creative approaches to develop a powerful documentary that authentically captures my high school journey, effectively showcasing social and personal growth I thoughtfully engage with community partners and mentors, incorporating their feedback to refine my storytelling techniques, and analyze complex themes that resonate with my audience, fostering meaningful discussions.

Learning Journey

Empathize

You will conduct interviews with community partners and peers to gather insights on how shared experiences shape personal growth, while practicing active listening, empathy, and reflective documentation.

Days 1 - 3

Meet Real Users

Launch 60m

Define

You will synthesize your collected footage and personal insights into a clear problem statement that captures your evolving social development, utilizing feedback from your community partners to refine your focus for the documentary.

Days 4 - 6

Collaborative Segment Concepts with Industry Partners

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Interview Techniques and Consent Practices

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Define Documentary Problem

Deliverable 90m

Ideate

You will brainstorm diverse documentary styles and creative techniques in collaborative sessions, while seeking feedback from peers and community partners, to develop ideas for capturing your personal high school experiences and the impacts of relationships in a visually compelling manner.

Days 7 - 10

Documentary Style Exploration and Concept Board

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Shot Planning and Partner Critique Circle

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Concept Ideation Pack

Deliverable 90m

Prototype

You will create and refine a prototype of your documentary, incorporating feedback from peer reviews, mentors, and community partners, emphasizing your editing skills, narrative coherence, and emotional impact.

Days 11 - 15

Kickoff Prototype Editing with Mentor Feedback

Knowledge/Skill Building 45m

Storyboard Audience-Focused Reflections and Themes

Knowledge/Skill Building 45m

Collaborative Feedback Lab with Partners

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Prototype Iteration Kickoff

Deliverable 90m

Test/Present

You will present your documentary to peers, mentors, and community partners at an end-of-year screening event, showcasing your work and engaging in reflective discussions about personal growth and shared experiences documented through your film.

Days 16 - 20

Theme-to-Frame Mapping Workshop

Knowledge/Skill Building 45m

Interview Protocols & Consent Basics

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Words That Travel: Text & Voiceover Script

Knowledge/Skill Building 50m

Mood Music & Sound Design Sketch

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Rough Cut Feedback Sprint with Partners

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Narrative Framework Sprint

Deliverable 90m

Audience Footage Test

Deliverable 75m

Polish Rough Cut with Partner Feedback

Knowledge/Skill Building 45m

Final Documentary Screening

Assessment 90m

Plan

Empathize Days 1–3

Day 1

Meet Real Users

Launch 60m

Day 2

Collaborative Segment Concepts with Industry Partners

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Day 3

Interview Techniques and Consent Practices

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Define Days 4–6

Day 4

Define Documentary Problem

Deliverable 90m

Day 5

Documentary Style Exploration and Concept Board

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Day 6

Shot Planning and Partner Critique Circle

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Ideate Days 7–10

Day 7

Concept Ideation Pack

Deliverable 90m

Day 8

Kickoff Prototype Editing with Mentor Feedback

Knowledge/Skill Building 45m

Day 9

Storyboard Audience-Focused Reflections and Themes

Knowledge/Skill Building 45m

Day 10

Collaborative Feedback Lab with Partners

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Prototype Days 11–15

Day 11

Prototype Iteration Kickoff

Deliverable 90m

Day 12

Theme-to-Frame Mapping Workshop

Knowledge/Skill Building 45m

Day 13

Interview Protocols & Consent Basics

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Day 14

Words That Travel: Text & Voiceover Script

Knowledge/Skill Building 50m

Day 15

Mood Music & Sound Design Sketch

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Test/Present Days 16–20

Day 16

Rough Cut Feedback Sprint with Partners

Knowledge/Skill Building 60m

Day 17

Narrative Framework Sprint

Deliverable 90m

Day 18

Audience Footage Test

Deliverable 75m

Day 19

Polish Rough Cut with Partner Feedback

Knowledge/Skill Building 45m

Day 20

Final Documentary Screening

Assessment 90m

April 2026

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

6 Day 1

Empathize

Meet Real Users

7 Day 2

Collaborative Segment Concepts with Industry Partners

8 Day 3

Interview Techniques and Consent Practices

9 Day 4

Define

Define Documentary Problem

13 Day 5

Documentary Style Exploration and Concept Board

14 Day 6

Shot Planning and Partner Critique Circle

15 Day 7

Ideate

Concept Ideation Pack

16 Day 8

Kickoff Prototype Editing with Mentor Feedback

20 Day 9

Storyboard Audience-Focused Reflections and Themes

21 Day 10

Collaborative Feedback Lab with Partners

22 Day 11

Prototype

Prototype Iteration Kickoff

23 Day 12

Theme-to-Frame Mapping Workshop

27 Day 13

Interview Protocols & Consent Basics

28 Day 14

Words That Travel: Text & Voiceover Script

29 Day 15

Mood Music & Sound Design Sketch

30 Day 16

Test/Present

Rough Cut Feedback Sprint with Partners

May 2026

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

4 Day 17

Narrative Framework Sprint

5 Day 18

Audience Footage Test

6 Day 19

Polish Rough Cut with Partner Feedback

7 Day 20

Final Documentary Screening

Evolving Reels: My Story Unmasked

Purpose

Learning goals

Competencies

Products

Launch

Exhibition

Edit Phase

Edit Phase

Edit Phase

Edit Phase

Edit Phase

April 2026

May 2026