Our video production company created a collaborative documentary with The New York City Department of Education.
The Story
Working in education is a calling and a passion. The DOE’s Students in Temporary Housing team is deeply committed to supporting students in temporary housing and their families because all students deserve the benefits of a stable school environment, regardless of their housing situation. The STH team wanted to create a video that felt representative of their community, values and vision for their students. Our video production company collaborated with the STH team to accomplish this goal. It was important to ensure the STH team was in control of the narrative. Our job was to help then find and drive the right story. Ultimately, we wove footage filmed by our team with footage and photos captured by STH staff and educators. The final video was vibrant and featured staff members, students, teachers and administrators across various NYC public schools.
The Process
- The STH team wanted this video to be a collaborative project. So, we developed a process where the STH team defined their own story with our team as guides.
- We started with a deep conversation with the full STH team. They were in control of the narrative. We helped them shape and refine it for film.
- Once the narrative was crafted, we sent out a form to everyone involved in STH. We asked them to submit any photos or videos they’d like to be included in this project.
- Simultaneously, our team worked to put all the logistics into place for two days of on-site filming at schools with students in temporary housing.
- During filming, we captured interviews and b-roll to supplement the footage and photos we received from STH staff and educators.
- Additionally, we created a simple suite of graphics to accompany the video.
- Finally, we edited the on-site and collected footage seamlessly into a five minute video.
- The finished piece includes the voices of staff members across STH and educators who work with students in temporary housing.
The Result
The Students in Temporary Housing team uses this video to inspire people at in person events and virtually. The piece helps reinforce their mission to ensure all students in New York are academically successful.
Learn more about what the STH team does here.