Lights! Camera! Action!

In late September, I was notified that my school was chosen to be featured in a documentary entitled, “ETA Success Story.” The documentary was to be aired on television, as well as printed on DVDs in order for the people of Malaysia, the U.S. Embassy, expatriates as well as future ETAs to learn more about the purpose of the Fulbright ETA program in Malaysia.

I was thrilled that my school was chosen to be the “star” of the documentary. With my consent to do the video, officials as well as a film crew came to my school to storyboard. I could not believe the amount of background work that went into filming a short documentary. We sat in a drafting room choosing what topics of school and ETA life we wanted to feature, and we also tried to plan film shooting times and schedules. With the school year quickly coming to a close, we had a great deal of work to do in a short amount of time!

When mid-October approached, the word of film crews being at school spread and students were ecstatic. I explained to the students that because they accomplished so much this year, we were chosen to share our story in a documentary! Some students became very shy, while others said, “Can I speak on the video?” To which I enthusiastically replied, “We will see!”

Malaysian officials, as well as the film crew became a daily appearance at school, and my students were thrilled to be recognized for their hard work. It was as if they could not believe their school, one of thousands, was selected. Sensing the pride and happiness of students, I beamed with excitement. The crews came to my classes and my extracurricular activities, and they followed me around to try to capture a “Day in the Life” of an ETA. Moreover, they took the time to interview my students and hear their stories about life with an ETA.

Pieces of the documentary were obviously staged, while other pieces were unrehearsed nor planned. Although I have not seen the finished product yet, it is scheduled to finish production very soon! I am anxious to see the faces of my students in the video, as well as relive some moments of pure enthusiasm experienced while working with my unique students. My favorite part of the entire experience was proving to the students that hard work does pay off. From a rocky beginning with my students, we were able to build camaraderie in and out of class, create transformation and ultimately be selected as the “ETA Success Story.”