Girl Scouts from west-central Wisconsin regularly make a difference by doing service projects in their communities. Thanks to a hands-on video workshop in January at UW-Stout, now they can help tell their stories.
A total of 24 Scouts from grade six to 12 learned the art of making short films. They created 30- to 90-second social media videos about their community service projects in the workshop led by Assistant Professor Cyndi Greening, School of Art and Design.
“I really wanted to be here for this because my Gold Award project is to make a video on type 1 diabetes for schools and libraries,” said Sophie Voss, 17, of Menomonie. “I hoped there would be tips on how to make the best video possible.”
The Scouts learned to write a voiceover using dramatic storytelling. They then layered previously recorded interviews, community footage and photographs using the industry-standard Adobe Premiere Pro editing software, which allowed them to add a music track, titles and transitions to their productions.
“Learning more about cinematography, lighting, B-roll and music was interesting, but being able to actually edit with Premiere was extremely helpful,” Voss said.
Elli Bayer, 11, of New Auburn made a humorous time-lapse video about the long drive in the dark to get to UW-Stout. Anastasia Mujwid, 11, of Chetek used Legos to tell a modern fairy tale about the illusion of power. Leighla Hoyt, 13, of Menomonie made a promotional video about her quest to break her previous record for cookie sales. Lily Meier, 17, of Chippewa Falls produced a video, entitled “I Hold On,” on the emotional and healing power of music.
Shaun Dudek and Hope Carroll, from UW-Stout’s graphic communications program, helped with lab instruction. UW-Stout student Brianna Ferguson, of McHenry, Ill., a senior in graphic communications, also helped Scouts in the lab.
Along with making their videos, girls toured the print production facilities on campus. “Their intense interest and excitement was impressive,” Dudek said. “These young women will make a profound impact on their communities.”
Most of the girls previously had participated in or are involved in a Bronze Award community service project, Silver Award project or Gold Award project.
Carrie Andringa, director of the Girls Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, was impressed with what the girls accomplished. “It was an inspiring day,” Andringa said. “We hope to continue to have the same sort of interest and enthusiasm at our future offerings.”
Additional workshops are planned for the spring and fall.
###
