Senior Project


BEYOND THE GAME; THE HBCU ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE

Beyond the Game: The HBCU Athlete Experience is a digital media documentary exploring the people, stories, emotions, and culture behind HBCU athletics.

Through photography, videography, and interviews, this project gives a behind-the-scenes look at the student-athlete experience at Claflin University. It goes beyond game-day highlights to capture preparation, personal growth, teamwork, academics, challenges, and the moments that make HBCU athletics meaningful.

As a student photographer and digital media creator, I documented the experience from my own perspective behind the camera and alongside the athletes, coaches, and athletic community.

Purpose

This project was created to showcase the HBCU student-athlete experience and increase awareness of Claflin University athletics. The goal is to tell stories that often go unseen beyond the scoreboard.

Fact Sheet

  • TITLE: “Beyond the Game: The HBCU Athlete Experience”
  • CREW MEMBERS/Roles: Jayla Odom; (Producer/Photographer/Videographer/Editor)
  • LENGTH: Digital Media Documentary: 8–12 minutes
  • TIME FRAME: 3 MONTHS
  • ROLE: Producer/Photographer/Videographer/Editor
  • PURPOSE STATEMENT: The purpose of “Beyond the Game: The HBCU Athlete Experience” is to document and showcase the people, stories, emotions, culture, and experiences that make HBCU athletics meaningful. Through professional photography, videography, interviews, and digital storytelling, this project will explore the student-athlete experience both on and off the field. It will demonstrate how digital media can be used to promote athletic programs, preserve memories, engage audiences, and tell authentic stories while also showcasing my perspective as a student photographer working behind the scenes of HBCU athletics.

Planning

Phase1:

Phase 2:

Phase 3:

PHOTOGRAPHY

Capturing game-day moments, emotions, and behind-the-scenes experiences.

VIDEOGRAPHY

Creating documentary footage using A-roll and B-roll. (highlight moments)

INTERVIEWS

Sharing the perspectives of student-athletes and coaches.

 

I'm not just taking pictures of games.

I'm documenting the people and stories behind HBCU athletics!

 

 

Documentary

(this is not the Real video its a place holder)

 

Beyond the game; the Hbcu Experience
Volleyball Edition

 

Documentary

(this is not the Real video its a place holder)

 

Beyond the game; the Hbcu Experience
XC (Cross country) Edition

Created by Jayla Odom

Mass Communications | Digital Media

Claflin University

Sports Photographer & Multimedia Storyteller