Development of a Participatory Interactive Documentary: The Vietnam War from All Sides

Abstract

“The Vietnam War/American War: Stories from All Sides” is a transmedia project that includes a PBS style documentary and participatory website. Initially funded through an IU New Frontiers Grant, currently more than 135 oral history film interviews have been recorded with veterans and marginalized individuals from all sides of the war. More than 40 of these interviews were recorded in Vietnam with our former enemy.

This presentation will concentrate on the development of the project, with emphasis on the prototype website. The website includes a playlist feature that allows users to assemble their own movie sequences based on topic, geographic location, time period or name searches.

Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the effectiveness of this type of information delivery.