Idea: Buddy Johnson and Kathy Carra, physical education teachers at the Bellefonte Area Middle School, have been fighting for the installation of a walking trail near the middle school for 15 years. The winning of a grant from the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program has finally allowed for the building of the walking trail, so I want to feature what this has meant for the school and the community.
The Axle (What do you want the viewer to understand? Use one declare sentence: Noun + Verb + Object. Do not use a phrase or ask a question here.):
I want viewers to understand the passion some teachers have when it comes to helping their students and the persistence that comes with that passion.
The Riders (Who are the best people to tell the story):
Buddy Johnson and Kathy Carra, Karen Kirsch (the past principal), Sommer Garman (current principal), other Bellefonte middle school staff as well as some of the students, parents of the students, other Bellefonte community members, and the Public Relation Representative for the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program.
The Spokes (Any memorable moments: bites, sound, track, stand-up?):
I would use a plethora of quotes from the various interviews I conduct; in addition, I would use sound bites of the students feet hitting the ground of the walking trail as well as sound bites of Johnson and Carra leading their Phys. Ed. classes. I would also choose to include voice-overs featuring facts about the State Farm grant and the specific figures involved. I would also get clips of the children walking on the trail.
The Rim (What are the beginning, middle and ending of your story?)
Beginning: I would begin with the clip of students walking on the trail to create a curiosity in the viewers; wondering where the story is going. Then I would lead in with a voice-over that introduces the Johnson and Carra and link it to the clip by speaking of the walking trail.
Middle: I would then transition into interview clips from Johnson and Carra as well as other staff, the students and other community members. I would then introduce the grant; what it means and what is has meant for the students and the community as a whole. I would include in the portion quotes from the State Farm PR Rep.
Ending: I would end with what is to come for the walking trail: whether it will be expanded or if it will become open to more members of the community. To do this, I would use quotes from Kirsch, the first principal that was present when the idea for the trail first came as well as the current principal, Garman.