Is Pop Culture Inclusive?

1. For the record, what is your full name, school, grade?
2. What books, movies, songs, video games or TV shows do you see yourself in, if any?
3. What’s an example of entertainment that you feel misrepresents you or another group of people?
4. Is Hollywood doing too much or too little to reflect diversity?
5. Consuming media like books and movies help us form our own identities. Why do you think it’s powerful to see yourself represented in media and pop culture?
6. How do you think representation in music, movies, TV shows and books shapes your perception of others?

Here is a list of alternative wordings of the questions, which could be helpful especially for middle school students.

INTERVIEW WITH SOMEONE ELSE:

• Decide who you want to interview.
• Brainstorm interview subjects and research the topic and what you want to focus on.
• Reach out to your interview subject(s) for a pre-interview and schedule a recording date. Decide if it will be an in-person or virtual interview.
• Prepare your questions and complete your research
• Record the interview(s) and make sure to thank your subject for their time. You can choose to have your interviewee look straight at the camera or at you. If you as the reporter will not be seen, we recommend having the subject look directly at the camera. If you as the reporter want to be in story, we recommend making sure you have a shot of both the interviewee and the interviewer to have a mix of shots to use when editing. Get addition tips with our QUICK Video Production Guide.

ON CAMERA IDENTIFICATION: Interviewers should ask subjects the following - For the record, please say and spell your full name (first and last) on camera. Also please describe how you want to be identified in this video. For example, “I’m an 11th grade student at Canyon High School in Santa Clarita, California”

• BONUS: Film or collect your b-roll about what the subject is talking about to help tell your story. (Advice on gathering b-roll with your phone with cameras)

USE/DOWNLOAD: SRL CHALLENGE SKILLS AND STANDARDS CHECKLIST

EXAMPLE OF DESIRED COMPOSITION FOR INTERVIEWS:

Subject placed on left or right third looking at reporter, from the chest up, normal headroom.

• Transcribe your interview and highlight the best soundbites. (Otter.ai transcription guide)
• Script your story (SRL Script Template) and build your story with a beginning, middle and end.
• Edit your piece into a 1-3 minute video story

This challenge does not have an active deadline to submit to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs. However, students are encouraged to publish their stories on their school/club/program website or through video/social platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or Twitter and tag Student Reporting Labs. Check with your teacher to find out instructions for class submissions.

FACEBOOK: /STUDENTREPORTINGLABS

TWITTER: @REPORTINGLABS

INSTAGRAM: @STUDENTREPORTINGLABS

TIKTOK: @REPORTINGLABS