dig combined the interviewing and observational techniques of ethnographic research with the storytelling methods of documentary filmmaking.

first, we designed a set of demographic and psychographic specifications for screening possible respondents. we received written submissions from eighty-seven respondents from around the country. after reviewing the submissions we conducted one-on-one interviews with twenty-one of the respondents in order to select the six most interesting, diverse and articulate respondents for the in-depth exploration.

filmed in-depth interviews and daily-life observation were then conducted with the six primary respondents and their friends. the footage was edited together in order to create the film. our resulting interviews and observation were also integral in the development of the white paper.