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Mia 

Burghardt

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SITUATION

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During my final semester at Michigan State University, I had the privilege of working under the guidance of my mentor, Jeana-Dee Allen, as part of a journalism independent study course. The idea was to create a documentary that told a story close to my heart. It lives within my own family.

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I chose to center the film on my grandparents, Sone and La Panya-oudom, capturing their lives today while exploring how those lives reflect the journeys that brought them here. Their story begins with their escape from Laos during the post-Vietnam War era and unfolds into a life of resilience, humor, and creative expression in the United States.

TASK

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The challenge was to create a documentary from scratch in a single semester, with little prior experience in documentary filmmaking. 

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  • Researching and crafting a meaningful narrative

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  • Conducting ethical and personal interviews with my grandparents

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  • Archiving family photos and footage

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  • Planning and shooting original footage

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  • Editing the film to tell a coherent, emotionally resonant story

ACTION TAKEN

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Over the course of the semester, I took on multiple roles to bring this documentary to life:

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  • Brainstormed and outlined the film's concept, balancing personal narrative with historical context

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  • Researched the post-Vietnam War era and the Lao refugee experience to provide cultural and historical depth

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  • Archived old family photos and documents to support visual storytelling

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  • Created storyboards and shot lists to structure the film’s pacing and emotional beats

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  • Practiced ethical, open-ended interviewing techniques, making space for honest conversations with my grandparents

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  • Directed and shot principal photography, capturing both candid and stylized footage of their daily lives

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  • Began editing the documentary, weaving together visuals, interviews, and music into a compelling narrative

RESULTS

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  • The film is currently in progress, with a strong rough cut developed during the semester

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  • Successfully captured and preserved rare, vulnerable moments from my grandparents’ lives and memories

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  • Built a visual and emotional foundation that honors both cultural heritage and individual personality

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  • Received mentorship and feedback throughout the process, helping shape the film into a meaningful archive of family history

PERSONAL IMPACT

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This documentary has been one of the most emotional and transformative projects I have ever worked on. It brought me closer to my family in ways I never expected, especially to my grandparents. Listening to their stories of escape, survival, creativity, and love gave me a deeper understanding of who they are and how their experiences have shaped my life.

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I learned so much throughout this process, not just about the technical side of filmmaking but about how to tell stories with care and honesty. I realized how important it is to be a listener first. To ask questions with curiosity. To create a space where people can speak freely and feel seen.

This project connected me to my heritage and gave me a deeper sense of pride in where I come from. My grandparents are vibrant and full of life. They are funny, quiet, bold, creative, stubborn, joyful, and they proudly told me to say they are Laos AF. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to share their story and to honor their voices in a way that feels true to who they are.

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Learn more about this documentary and my process

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