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.

 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.

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.

Animation by Troy Belko. "A Reason to Fight" A poem by Veteran Stephen Yarger, U.S. Army.

Podcast by Maddison Wilson and Sarah Seymour, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh,
featuring Veteran Marion Risberg, U.S. Marine Corps.

Podcast by Aaron Bell, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh, featuring Veteran Bernie Pontones, U.S. Army.

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.

Podcast by Daniel Prendergast, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh, featuring Veteran Stanley Vivens, U.S. Army.

Podcast by Taylor Scalzo and Kenneth Tyree, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh featuring Veteran Greg West, U.S. Army.

Podcast by Fredi Bockover, Motion Graphics by Samuel Koh featuring Veteran
Stephen Yarger, U.S. Army.

Animation by Aspyn Chisesi featuring Veteran William Rogers, U.S. Army.

Animation by Amanda LaRocco. "The Mask We Wear" A poem by Veteran Daniel Middleton,
U.S. Marine Corps.