The documentary "A Sigma's Slang", developed by Alec Labossiere and Romina Olvera, is a documentary that explores the connection people can make through the shared use and understanding of slang, specifically from Gen Z. The documentary informs and portrays the many uses of Gen Z slang in a school setting while also showing how it impacts the people in it including students and teachers.
The documentary effectively engages its audience by exploring a relatable and accessible topic for high school students: the slang commonly used in their daily lives. It highlights how this shared language fosters connections among students and reflects the unique dynamics of their social circles and environments. Universally popular words create a sense of unity within the school, bridging different grades and groups, while other slang terms remain more niche, emerging from specific friend groups, hobbies, or cultural influences. This distinction became clear during interviews, as younger students demonstrated greater fluency with trendy, rapidly evolving slang, while older students continued to use it but gravitated toward more familiar or established terms. This shift not only demonstrates how language evolves within the school community but also emphasizes how different age groups engage with slang in ways that reflect their experiences, maturity, and connection to broader cultural trends.
The project’s estimated audience age ranged from 13-21, as it was specifically designed to engage high school students or those who had recently experienced high school life. It did not target a specific gender but instead focused on individuals living in suburban areas. This choice was intentional, as it mirrors the environment of the school, making the content more relatable and appealing to those from similar backgrounds. To strengthen this connection, the project incorporated elements that would resonate with the audience, such as carefully selected music and visuals aligned with the tastes and experiences of teenagers today.
The B-roll footage played a crucial role in engaging the audience by capturing key aspects of high school life that many students encounter daily. It showcased moments such as walking through hallways, casual conversations among friends, waiting for class to begin, and leaving school while discussing plans for the evening or weekend. These small yet meaningful interactions highlight the social bonds that define the high school experience, making the project feel authentic and grounded.
The documentary also aimed to capture the language and slang commonly used by high school students, adding an extra layer of relatability. By featuring familiar phrases and expressions, it created a sense of belonging for viewers, enabling them to see their own lives reflected in the project. The visuals, combined with a soundtrack aligned with current music trends, further reinforced this connection by evoking the emotions and energy of teenage life. These elements collectively worked to engage the audience, not only through relatable content but also by offering a nostalgic and authentic portrayal of the high school experience.
Research that went into the documentary as well was conducted by the several documentaries that were previously seen as well the infortmation and many discussions over the internet about our evolving slang and the many new terms that get brought up every so often. A huge factor when researching was talking amongst the students of their opinions. Because it was a very open topic, the opinions that we got were quite varied and the groups and types of language each person used was as well. An example of this was through the interviews. Most people had a general similarity in phrases that they knew off the top of their head but when talking with friends, there were always different answers, some people even trying not to speak in the slang. There was also the many filmaking skills that had been demonstrated through viewing the documentaries such as where a person's face should be in the thirds as well as blocking out background noise in the editing. However, since the documentary went for of an amateurish approach, the background volume played to it's benefit.
Research for the documentary drew inspiration from previously viewed documentaries, online discussions and student input regarding the evolution of slang. Online conversations highlighted how slang rapidly changes with new terms emerging constantly. A major part of the research process involved talking directly to students to gather their perspectives on the topic. Given the open ended nature of slang, the responses varied significantly within the school. For example, during interviews many students shared commonly known phrases while others provided more niche terms influenced by their specific friend groups or social environments. A few students intentionally avoided using slang which demonstrated the different levels of comfort and preference for using this type of language.
The documentary used filmmaking techniques learned through viewing the previous documentaries such as framing subjects in the rule of thirds and minimizing background noise during editing. However, since the project embraced a more amateurish approach, the inclusion of natural ambient sounds worked to its benefit, enhancing the documentary’s relatability.
Ultimately, the documentary was a culmination of all the research and planning that both Romina and my efforts in portraying the impact of Gen Z slang. While not all parts of it were purposely executed, it was a a big way to learn about documentary's themselves and how much effort goes into making them. This experience makes me determined for the next big project and more to come.
