***UPDATE #2 - AOTA would like to track how the film is being used to inspire therapists/students to join AOTA - please send the date, location, and approximate number of viewers to Laura Collins at LCollins@aota.org. The video is also on the awesome AOTA youtube channel, which contains other informative/inspiring OT videos - check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/aotainc
**UPDATE #1: This video is the winner of the 2011 AOTA Student Video Contest. It was shown at the 2011 AOTA conference opening ceremony in Philadelphia, PA and received a standing ovation (woohoo!). I received many questions about how I created the video throughout the conference so here are the answers to some FAQs:
1) How did you learn how to make digital videos?
From 2005-2008 I worked for the nonprofit "Bridges to Understanding" (http://www.bridgesweb.org/). Bridges uses digital technology and the art of storytelling to empower and unite youth worldwide, enhance cross-cultural understanding and build global citizenship. I helped coordinate and facilitate international digital storytelling workshops, and learned the technology along the way. In 2007 I helped a group of Tibetan students in northern India create a story about their journey to happiness (note that they took all photos and wrote the script themselves): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIwxE6JzEhI
2) Had you ever made your own video before this one?
Last year I made my first personal video for a jazz dancing video contest, called "Why I Dance." It's about dancing through life's obstacles, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (a condition I have). It did not place in the contest but became a fan favorite on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JIKjPrmvDs
3) How did you decide to take the approach you did?
I was inspired by Phil Borges, an international humanitarian photographer who started Bridges to Understanding (http://www.philborges.com/). He has made a series of videos highlighting issues around the world, and each video relies heavily on music and slow fades in/out. I remembered being so captivated the first time I saw his videos, and I wanted others to feel the same way about OT and the AOTA.
4) Where is the music from?
The music is from the soundtrack of "Sunshine," a movie about astronauts going to the sun. The composer is John Murphy. The song is not commercially available but my boyfriend happened to have received a CD from John Murphy's wife when he inquired.
5) What school do you go to, and are you really a first year student?
I go to Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA (http://www.samuelmerritt.edu/) and I'm in the class of 2012 :-)
6) How did you narrow down what to focus on, since OT is such a broad field?
That was by far the hardest part. The first version of the film had about 4 times as many words. However, I knew that it was most important to draw people in and inspire them, and to do that most effectively "less is more" when it comes to words. It wasn't a smooth or easy process, I just had to keep editing and whittling it down more and more until I had gotten straight to the point :-)
7) How long did it take you to make it?
It took about 35 hours over 3 days, once I had brainstormed the initial vision and collected some of the photos. My objective was twofold; I wanted to create a video that could be used to introduce OT to a general audience and also be used to inspire OTs to join AOTA. I chose the "tone" i wanted, which was inspirational with an undertone of a sense of urgency, since I wanted people to be inspired to act at the end of the video. Then, I chose the music and outlined what tones were happening at the music at different times. I outlined the main messages I wanted to get across after that, and made sure to line them up with the music. I had to do some more research about AOTA to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Then, I chose the photos.
8) Do you want to do anything related to digital media with OT?
Well, I am definitely entering the field with an open mind with respect to where I will end up, but I would love to help patients create video narratives about their experiences in a therapeutic context. Ideally one day I'd like to create a web platform where patients with different diagnoses could learn from each other's experiences. I saw some great posters/talks at the conference about this topic, such as those on Photovoice (http://www.photovoice.org/about/).
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I created this video for the American Occupational Therapy Association's Student Video contest - I hope you enjoy it!
Music: "Sunshine," by John Murphy
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A world without AOTAby Kells27872,009 views
Excellent- a job well done.
PKSJCCA 10 months ago
@PKSJCCA Thanks so much, I'm thrilled about getting the word out about the great work OTs do!
realcherylcrow 10 months ago
Thank you for expressing for me some of my immense gratitude for this life-enhancing and safeguarding profession, AND the organization that enhances and safeguards IT, Cheryl!
1stwreader 10 months ago
@1stwreader Thank you so much, I feel the same way!! :-)
realcherylcrow 10 months ago
Great video :)
nlpierce7985 1 year ago
@nlpierce7985 Thanks hon! I hope it inspires fellow students during finals time, hehe!
realcherylcrow 10 months ago