VA Central Ohio Healthcare System
Using animation, film, and podcasting, students collaborate with Veterans to tell their stories about the healing power of art-making.
| Majors | Faculty |
|---|---|
| Animation Film & Video Graphic Design Illustration | Jordan Bell Adjunct Faculty, Podcasting Assistant Director of Career Services Andy Friz Associate Professor, Animation Bekah Nunn Former Adjunct Faculty, Animation Stephanie West Visiting Faculty, Film & Video |
Corporate & Community Partnerships
Learning Partner: VA Central Ohio Healthcare System Using animation, film, and podcasting, students collaborate with Veterans to tell their stories about the healing power of art making.
Think about the world 'destroy.' Do you know what it is? De-story. Destory. Destory. You see. And 'restore.' That's re-story. Do you know that only two things have been proven to help survivors of the Holocaust? Message is one. Telling their story is another. Being touched and touching. Telling your story is touching. It sets you free."
Feature Length Film
Re-Story: Transforming Veteran Stories into Art feature length film, 2020 [48 minutes]
THE PROCESS
During the four-month long partnership, 28 CCAD students from four classes in documentary video, podcasting, and animation were paired with 21 VAI participants to share Veterans’ stories and explore how their creative efforts as artists have helped them to process their individual military experiences. Before working with the Veterans, students received training from VAI Program Coordinator Heather Seymour and VA Patient Advocate Tyler Strine on empathic listening and military culture, ethics, and privacy. The overall project, dubbed “Re-story,” gave Veterans an opportunity to retell or “re-story” aspects of their lives both in and out of the military and reflect on how making art transforms these narratives. In addition, Veterans’ poems from the VAI poetry workshops at the Franklin County Correction Center were used to create short animations. The Veterans were consulted throughout the project and received a copy of their stories.
The Results
The short films, excerpted podcasts, and animations were combined and edited to make a 45-minute documentary film by a CCAD alum. Re-story: Transforming Veteran Stories into Art kicked off the National Veterans Film Festival Presents series on Nov. 13–15, 2020 during National Veterans and Military Families Month. The premiere of the film was followed by a panel discussion with several CCAD faculty and students, as well as Veterans and VA staff. Viewers around the country tuned in virtually to watch the film premiere. The film was awarded two Silver 2021 Telly Awards, which honor excellence in video and television across all screens.
Re-story allowed a unique space for intergenerational dialogue that bridges the racial, gender, and socioeconomic divides through the commonality of making art. We started with a question, 'How can collaborative creative storytelling connect Veterans and civilians across generations?' The answers are in the works themselves. The common thread is that no life experiences define us, we are all dynamic. We all want to be heard, understood, and this platform of storytelling is essential in a digital world."
Short Films
On My Terms: The Life and Artistry of Leni D. Anderson
Directed by Madison Van Buren featuring Veteran Leni D. Anderson, U.S. Army.
Without a Scratch: The William Rogers Story
Directed by Luke McLaughlin featuring Veteran William Rogers, U.S. Army.
Breaking Perception
Directed by Austin Black featuring Veterans Armond Goss (U.S. Air Force), Hannah Rodas (U.S. Air Force), and Veronica Shields (U.S. Army).
The Spiritual Revolution of Stephen D. Napper
Directed by Janelle Moorman and Bethany Mercer featuring Veteran Stephen D. Napper, U.S. Army, National Guard.
Portrait of Mary Skrenta
Directed by Alyssa Morris featuring Veteran Mary Skrenta, U.S. Army.
animations
View PlaylistA Reason to Fight | CCAD Animation
Animation by Troy Belko. "A Reason to Fight" A poem by Veteran Stephen Yarger, U.S. Army.
Marion Risberg | CCAD Animation
Podcast by Maddison Wilson and Sarah Seymour, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh, featuring Veteran Marion Risberg, U.S. Marine Corps.
Bernie Pontones | CCAD Animation
Podcast by Aaron Bell, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh, featuring Veteran Bernie Pontones, U.S. Army.
Patrick Paquin | CCAD Animation
Podcast by Alexa Buck, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh, featuring Veteran Patrick Paquin, U.S. Navy, U.S. Navy Reserves, U.S. Air Force Reserves.
Stanley Vivens | CCAD Animation
Podcast by Daniel Prendergast, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh, featuring Veteran Stanley Vivens, U.S. Army.
Greg West | CCAD Animation
Podcast by Taylor Scalzo and Kenneth Tyree, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh featuring Veteran Greg West, U.S. Army.
Stephen Yarger | CCAD Animation
Podcast by Fredi Bockover, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh featuring Veteran Stephen Yarger, U.S. Army.
Not My Neighborhood: A Retelling of Mr. Rogers' Time In Paris | CCAD Animation
Animation by Aspyn Chisesi featuring Veteran William Rogers, U.S. Army.
The Mask We Wear | CCAD Animation
Animation by Amanda LaRocco. "The Mask We Wear" A poem by Veteran Daniel Middleton, U.S. Marine Corps.
...It was fascinating to see art students and Veterans bond over a shared love for creativity, and use it as an icebreaker in understanding the impact of the military experience. I hope by sharing their stories that others will feel that bond, too."
Jordan Bell
Adjunct Faculty, Podcasting Assistant Director of Career Services
Podcast
Press
CCAD Blog: Partnership between CCAD students and Veterans highlights the healing power of the arts
The Columbus Dispatch: New CCAD, central Ohio VA documentary explores the veteran experience through power of art
Spectrum News 1: Documentary Explores Healing Power of Art for Veterans
Columbus Underground: Documentary Highlights Local Veterans’ Relationships with Art
(614) magazine: CCAD partners with Veteran Arts Initiative to explore healing through film initiative
The Lantern: Local Documentary Highlights Diverse Veteran Experiences, Premieres This Weekend
Experience Columbus: Veterans Day in Columbus
VAntage Point: Transforming Veteran stories into art
Defense Logistics Agency: Where to Watch 2020 Veterans Day Virtual Tributes
Marines: Where to Watch 2020 Veterans Day Virtual Tributes
The Johnsonian: The Art of War
News Break: CCAD partners with Veteran Arts Initiative to explore healing through film initiative
As I listen to my interview with Professor Lisko, I am constantly humbled by the way he speaks of his life, and the impact World War II had on him. He is truly an amazing person who has made me look at life from a whole different perspective. Professor Lisko's story reminds me that no matter how bad things get, the world will be okay."
CCAD Prepares Students For Careers
You can find our alumni using their creative skills in small businesses, multinational corporations, nonprofits, and even in such fields as banking, healthcare, and insurance.
