Multi-Media Project Prospectus

For my multi-media project, I plan on writing a short story, although I am not exactly sure about how long it will be. I chose this format, because I have always had an affinity for writing fiction and this genre appealed most to my interests. I believe that even though short stories are works of fiction, they can reveal greater problems in society and delve into the human psyche. Additionally, although still fiction, my story will be based on an actual situation, however, all names will be changed to protect the subjects' privacy. This format offers a more subtle way to explore controversial subjects and to put across many viewpoints at the same time.

The overall topic that I chose to cover in my story is going to be teenage depression, cutting, and suicide. While this may seem like three topics, I feel that they are all connected enough to make one coherent topic idea.  I have a few family members who suffer from depression, as I believe I do myself (i have not clinically been diagnosed, but I have many symptoms). So this project will tie into my personal life. Also, teenage depression is not a very open subject area, so I feel that it would be a benefit to explore this topic more. With the genre I have chosen, I can also include some research into the story, as I can make the characters explore the subject online, r through a variety of other means. 

My intended audience for this project is everyone. Depression and suicide are often closed door topics, especially concerning teenagers, but I feel that this subject needs some more light shed onto it. Although it is a very bleak subject, there are too many stereotypes and misconceptions out there. In addition to educating myself on the subject by adding some research, I will also be educating my audience. The only caveat with saying that my audience will be everyone, is that the story may not be entirely suitable for young children, but as my peers and professor are not young children, I feel that it will be entirely appropriate as well as a gentler way of putting forth this topic.

With this project, I hope to increase awareness about the subject of teenage depression, cutting and suicide. I want this subject to come out of closed doors and be freely talked about, instead of only bringing the subject up in a specific response to a situation. Since I have dealt with this issue from personal experience, and I think that many others have as well, this will be an interesting topic to bring out into the open. This topic is very relevant in today's society as more and more people are being diagnosed with depression, particularly young people. some say that this number may be too high, while others think it is accurate. I hope to dispell all of these issues and bring some clear conclusions on this subject, while still having a creative and fictional approach. (Fictional in the sense of the story, not the facts!)