Empathize
Empathize
Students will launch their intergenerational documentary project by engaging directly with elders, practicing empathy-building strategies, and beginning iterative development of open-ended interview questions grounded in authentic user research.
Day 1
Define
Define
Students will synthesize insights from their initial elder interviews into a focused research question and actionable documentary problem statement that centers user needs, guiding the direction of their generational film projects.
Day 2
Ideate
Ideate
Students will generate and refine multiple creative approaches for transforming their intergenerational interviews into compelling short documentary films, using structured brainstorming, peer critique, and visible feedback routines to move from divergent ideas to a focused, user-centered film concept.
Day 3
Prototype
Prototype
Students will build and refine rough-cut versions of their generational documentary films and mini-edits, using structured peer and user feedback to iterate on storytelling, technical quality, and alignment to their research question before final testing and presentation.
Day 4
Test/Present
Test/Present
Students will publicly screen their 4β6 minute generational documentary films for elders and families, gather authentic user feedback, participate in a live storytelling festival, and complete a final reflection and portfolio submission demonstrating iteration, research depth, and growth in empathy and technical skill.
Day 5
Empathize
Days 1–1
Day 1
π€ Crafting Open-Ended Interview Questions
Knowledge/Skill Building
π°οΈ Time Capsule Dialogue Circle
Launch
45m
Define
Days 2–2
Day 2
π― Crafting a Generational Research Question
Knowledge/Skill Building
π§© Documentary Problem Statement Draft
Deliverable
π¬ Feedback Wall Protocol Round
Project Work
Ideate
Days 3–3
Day 3
π¬ Documentary Structures & Story Arcs
Knowledge/Skill Building
π§ 20-Idea Film Brainstorm
Project Work
π€ Concept Pitch & Feedback Wall
Deliverable
Prototype
Days 4–4
Day 4
π¬ Rough Cut Editing Lab
Knowledge/Skill Building
π Revision & Version 2 Export
Project Work
π€ Elder Feedback Simulation Panel
Community Experience
30m
π Feedback Wall Reflection Circle
Deliverable
Test/Present
Days 5–5
Day 5
π¬ Generations Screening Event
Assessment
45m
π€ Live Storytelling & Visual Showcase
Deliverable
September 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
28
Day 1
Empathize
π€ Crafting Open-Ended Interview Questions
π°οΈ Time Capsule Dialogue Circle
29
Day 2
Define
π― Crafting a Generational Research Question
π§© Documentary Problem Statement Draft
π¬ Feedback Wall Protocol Round
30
Day 3
Ideate
π¬ Documentary Structures & Story Arcs
π§ 20-Idea Film Brainstorm
π€ Concept Pitch & Feedback Wall
1
Day 4
Prototype
π¬ Rough Cut Editing Lab
π Revision & Version 2 Export
π€ Elder Feedback Simulation Panel
π Feedback Wall Reflection Circle
2
Day 5
Test/Present
π¬ Generations Screening Event
π€ Live Storytelling & Visual Showcase