TCFL Video Production

Ok videoclassers, you all did a great job on your first Voicethreads. Now I would like you to try one more project with this service: Creating a Voicethread about some aspect of Japanese culture. I think this would be very interesting for an English speaking audience, and you might learning something new about your own country, too!

Here’s what I want you to do:

1. Pick one of the following topics:
   1. Introduce & demonstrate a typical Japanese custom, such as taking your shoes off before going inside or using chopsticks to eat food.
   2. Introduce a famous Japanese folktale, such as Momotaro. Create your own kamishibai, or introduce a traditional one. Making your own pictures would be great!!!
   3. Introduce a Japanese poem that you like, such as a haiku (or write your own!).
   4. Introduce about Japanese movies that you like, such as Miyazaki films or ones by other directors. TV shows, animes, and dramas are are also very good ideas.
   5. Introduce a traditional Japanese art or craft, such as shodo, tea ceremony, pottery (togei), origami, making ramen noodles.
   6. Introduce a historical place. For example, you can find a statue or monument, then tell the story of what this is all about.
   7. Introduce a traditional Japanese game or sport, such as kendama, shogi, or kendo.
   8. Create a Voicethread about why Japanese architecture is unique.
   9. Introduce a Japanese festival, such as the Chindon matsuri, or the Owara Kaze no Bon.
   10. Your own idea!
2. Tell Jerry your topic choice.
3. After your topic is approved, collect your photos. You can take your own photos or grab some from the Internet. You can also scan photos from a book (check the TCFL library). If you are feeling very creative, draw or paint your own pictures! We can scan them into the computer. Oh, and you can also upload some short video clips as well. See Jerry for help about this.
4. Write a script. Short is okay- two or three sentences for each picture. Have Jerry correct your English.
5. Create the Voicethread as you did before: upload the photos, record the captions, share with Jerry and your friends.
6. Look at your classmate’s Voicethreads and leave some comments.

Kamishibai

The traditional story-telling practice of kamishibai is PERFECT for a Voicethread! Find (or create) a Japanese story, collect some photos or drawings, and you’re all set! Here is an example for you, created by some school children studying Japan:

Commuting (reflecting on life experience)

Here’s another idea for you: Create a Voicethread about your thoughts of some Japanese life experience. For example, you could talk about the morning rush hour, showing how people in this country get to work and school each day, like this person did: