Prague Stories

Water Ballet

George, Chase, and I Discussing Ideas

We have returned from our fun, eventful, and leprechaun-filled weekend in Moravia, only to be consumed in the theme of work, which seems to be this entire trip’s theme. Today was our first day of class since our screening of our first documentaries. And today happens to be another decision day; who to work with and documentary subject ideas are the topics of discussion throughout class time. Ideas are played with and announced to Andy, who acts as the secretary and writes them all on the board. 3M Productions (George, Chase, and I) discuss an idea about marionettes, and quickly decide on the subject. The idea is promising with many outlets allowing for an “A” story line, a “B” story line, and even a third. We are confident in our ability to make a good documentary on the subject, and we discuss heading back to the dorms to research; however, instead we choose to stroll the city and scope out street performers making a living off the use of marionettes. From the Charles Bridge through the lower quarter, the three of us discuss our plans for this project and how to go about the subject. With all the creative juices flowing we hike to my favorite spot in the city; the beer garden atop Letensky Sady. There, with a beer in one hand and Kielbasa in the other, we watch the sun go down. Another fine day Praha.

Street performer on way to shool

Moving desks to arrange in present day position

Malostranká no……..Starometská? I’ll try Malostranká. Nope, wrong stop. Back down the gargantuan escalator into unfamiliarity and artificial wind. A few minutes late and a few notches in my navigational pride later, Chase and I arrive to Andy’s class for our first day of Digital Documentary. The immediate atmosphere of the room, and the welcome comments from Andy excite me. After the class has separated all the desks from their uniform alignment, George, who’s next to me, is called on, put on the spot, and asked to commence our figurative campfire story time. George finishes quickly and all eyes turn to me beckoning. I swiftly recall a story of my brothers and me, which exuded teamwork, from my younger years. I finish and sit back to listen to my peers’ stories where I am intrigued by most and relate to some, and as my blood cools from the back of my neck, I think of 15 better stories that were casually late to the front of my brain; happy stories, more revealing stories, but no regrets. As we get to Jan, our other TA, who happens to tell a curtain call story, I begin to hear Andy starting in on business. The time is here. I knew it was coming; time to muster my summer attention span for the important information to follow. Andy has assigned us our groups, and unfamiliar names are written together on the board. My lack of ability to put faces to those names next to mine, gives me an uneasy feeling. Someone asks if they could switch groups; relieved and excited, I acquire understood looks from George and Chase, and we decide to work together. We break from the class and get on our assigned tram – Tram 22. I have no clue where I am going on this, nor could I show on a map. We jump off and begin our project.