On Monday, Dec. 15, the students and staff of “The Raider Voice” visited the Deering Estate for a hands-on workshop exploring the estate’s rich history and scenes. Students interviewed Deering staff members and learned firsthand about its historical and environmental significance to the local community.
Marlon Johnson, head artist and Deering McCormick Fellow at Deering Estate, who has worked there for three years, is a 12 time Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker from Miami. He also teaches at the University of Miami, where he relishes telling stories about the environment, social equity, and the transformation of power through art. He’s known for the popular films “Deep City” and “River City Drumbeat.”
With the guidance of Johnson and field filmmakers, the students experienced the video production process from the outline and planning, to the production and filmmaking, and, finally, to the editing. Many members of “The Raider Voice” team had never crafted a documentary before, so Digital Mass Media Department Chair Monica Rodriguez sought to broaden their horizons through this experience.
“It’s a field experience that I thought would help students in Multimedia class have an opportunity to cover one of the pretty interesting spots in our community. So, as newspaper students that hear so much about what’s factual … and telling the stories, I thought this—going full speed ahead into the creative process of visual storytelling—would be a great experience for them,” Rodriguez said.
The day was filled with many learning opportunities and collaboration, as each student met new people and worked closely in teams of three or four, taking on roles such as writer, interviewer, producer, and editor. Unlike a typical newspaper class assignment, students had to create a multimedia piece collaboratively, integrating both narrative and visual storytelling.
“I’m inexperienced with video production, so it was very enlightening to gain that new perspective and expand my storytelling skills through a new medium,” News Editor Megan Markus said.
Through the workshop, Johnson served as a mentor and guide, sharing his expertise and encouraging students to see storytelling as a tool for connection.
“We are all storytellers, and Deering is a great place that’s right in our backyard. There are so many different stories historically, from the architecture to the environment. [It’s about] … taking things that are in your backyard and bringing them to life for those who might not be aware of all the beauty that this area has to offer,” Johnson said.
By the end of the day, students left not only with video footage and interview content but also with a deeper appreciation for the Estate, its history, and the power of storytelling in documenting and preserving their community’s cultural and ecological heritage. The workshop at Deering Estate proved to be an unforgettable and unified opportunity for “The Raider Voice” staff.
