I’m very excited about how my research has progressed, especially having found Pedagogy of the Oppressed. I was most concerned with finding a theoretical framework because while I’m confident in my research abilities, I am less familiar with specific theories and when I think of theory, I usually am worried that I won’t understand it. I was pleasantly surprised that Pedagogy of the Oppressed worked so well with my project and that it expressed many personal opinions of mine. I’m looking forward to doing more reading!
I’m still very much in the preproduction part of my media, but I’m okay with that. I am going to a Starbucks labor union meeting next week, and Dr Shaw suggested that I read/reflect upon my notes/experiences for my initial media. I have also reached out to a labor reporter local to Philadelphia whose work I like to see if she’s interested in being interviewed for my documentary.
Pedagogy of the Oppressed shifted my project into an interesting direction. I realized after reading Freire that I needed to include a facilitation guide alongside my documentary. It’s great to have Starbucks workers talk about their organizing experience, but it’s not enough on its own to encourage people to talk about organizing for greater workplace rights if not a full-on union. Dialogue is just as important as visualization, if not more so, in starting talks about workplace rights.
I’m most excited about reading more to add to my project as well as beginning filming! I have one shoot date thus far and am hoping to get more under my belt. I have a few people who have agreed to PA for me and I’m going to try to get a grant so I can pay my workers. I’m excited to see my project come to life-my committee members are excited about my work and I’m excited to see which direction it goes.