Bringing 'My America' to Life
Creating the video content for My America: Immigrant and Refugee Writers Today was an ambitious, multi-location production designed to give voice to some of today’s most influential immigrant and refugee writers. Our team worked closely with the American Writers Museum to ensure a consistent, immersive visual experience, delivering over 150 videos for the interactive exhibit.
The Production Process
Filming Across The Nation – Over the course of five multi-day shoots in Chicago, Washington D.C., New York, and Los Angeles, we captured interviews with 30+ authors, each sharing their personal journey, struggles, and triumphs.
Green Screen for a Seamless Look – To maintain a cohesive visual style across all locations, we filmed every interview against a green screen, allowing for the same background design across numerous filming locations for a cohesive experience.
EyeDirect for Authentic Storytelling – To create a direct and engaging connection with viewers, we used the EyeDirect, a specialized piece of equipment similar to a teleprompter, allowing each writer to look at the interviewer while appearing to speak straight into the lens—enhancing the intimacy and authenticity of their stories.
Interactive Exhibit Integration – The post-production process involved careful editing and curation, ensuring that all 150+ videos were optimized for the museum’s interactive displays. The result is an engaging, first-person storytelling experience, inviting visitors to explore the diverse voices that shape American literature today.
Editorial – Maintaining consistent editorial standards across such a high volume of content required defined style guidelines and frequent quality checkpoints. Our editorial team established and enforced rules around pacing, narrative structure, visual tone, and interview coverage, ensuring that each piece — even when crafted from different cities and crews — felt part of a unified storytelling experience.
Review cycles included internal screenings and feedback loops with the museum stakeholders, ensuring alignment with exhibit goals and interpretive messaging.
A Lasting Impact
Through cinematic techniques and cutting-edge production tools, the My America exhibit brings these voices to life in a way that is both personal and immersive. The stories of immigrant and refugee writers offer a deeper understanding of identity, resilience, and the evolving definition of American literature—allowing visitors to experience them in an entirely new way.
