This project will be separated into three parts, each one overseen by a group member: Military Significance, Cultural Significance, and Documentary.

Daryl will be in charge of the Military Significance section. He will do the research, write the pages “Antecedents” and “Cold War”, contribute to the “Cost” and “Legacy” pages, and find and cite pictures/videos relevant to his pages. He will post and cite two or three pictures/videos per page.

Lindsey will be in charge of the Cultural Significance section. She will do the research, write the pages “Cultural Impact” and “About”,  contribute to the “Cost” and “Legacy” pages, and find and cite pictures/videos relevant to her pages. She will post and cite two or three pictures/videos per page. She will also be in charge of creating the website layout.

Nick will be in charge of the Documentary. He will write the script, direct and shoot the film, give his group mates parts to participate in, and do any video editing necessary. He will be in charge of the “Documentary” page as well as the “Bibliography” page. He will also contribute to research as his group mates need him.

The documentary will be similar to a historical documentary segment, in which a narrator offers important information and then receives validation through interviewed “experts.” Since no real experts will be available for interviews, we will act out our own expertise. Daryl will be one interviewed “expert” who will explain the militaristic value of the B-2 Bomber. Lindsey will be the cultural “expert” who will explain the cultural impact of the B-2. Nick will narrate before, between, and after the interview sections. In order to keep the film interesting among the talking, photos and videos will take up the majority of the film. The interviewees will only appear when they start and stop talking. Some snippets of music will play in the background to provide ambiance while people speak and to provide an intro and outro. At the end of the video, the credits will roll to cite the video, images, and audio used throughout. A transcript of the video and its citations will appear on the web page dedicated to the documentary. Here is a rough sketch of how the video will go:

 

[Intro appears along with an audio clip of some patriotic music. The narrator cuts in with the first image of the B-2 Bomber.]

Narrator Nick: The US military has developed a wide array of artillery throughout the years, specifically within aviation. The B-2 Bomber is a product of the Cold War as stealth technology grew in importance. [pans over two images of B-2]

Interview of Daryl, explaining the military significance of the B-2 on the green screen. [background is a landed B-2] Talk about the Cold War and development of stealth technology. [cold war imagery] Talk about antecedents of the B-2. [sketches, prototypes, or images of old bomber jets] Talk about the B-2’s development and use. [blueprints, video of assembly or tests] Talk about what the B-2 meant for America. [v ideo of bomber’s use] [Daryl appears again to deliver last point]

Nick: The B-2 had more than just a military impact, however. Its cost of production was immense. But why spend so much on jets? What made this cost necessary? [B-2 video of production or materials]

Lindsey, explaining cultural impact of B-2 on the green screen. Talk about how US citizens responded to it. [any videos of protest, speeches, or publicity] Talk about its cost and economic impact. [people juxtaposed against B-2 fighters] Talk about any resistance or social response. [images of people for/against B-2] Talk about varying opinions regarding the B-2. [any interview clips we can find] [Lindsey appears again to deliver last point]

Nick, narrating over videos of B-2: The B-2 is an important artifact in American culture. Its military prowess helped make the United States one of the most powerful nations on earth. Its cultural impact helped make Americans feel secure and powerful within their own nation. In the end, the B-2 Bomber had an impact on American culture that is as quiet and distant as its movement through the skies, yet as powerful as its strike. [B-2 flying, then bombing. Fade to black, roll the credits with some patriotic music in the background]

The website will be separated by sections of discussion that cover the B-2 Bomber’s history and impact as a cultural and technological artifact. Each page will cover a different section with relevant images and sources. The following is a breakdown of what each page will look like.

 

About Page

This page will explain what the B-2 Bomber is and give an overview of its militaristic and cultural impacts. It will function as the introduction paragraph of the site. The website will also default to this page so that viewers will immediately be able to find information regarding the B-2 Bomber.

 

Documentary

This page will feature the documentary as well as a transcript of what the video says. Additional information and citations will be provided at the bottom.

 

Antecedents

This page will show what came before the B-2 and how they evolved into what made this particular bomber possible.

 

Cold War

This page will describe the impact of the Cold War in shaping the perceived need for a weapon like the B-2 Bomber. It will give a brief history of stealth technology’s rising importance to Americans during the Cold War Era.

 

Cost

This page will explain what the costs for the B-2 are and how it is produced. Here will explain further the economic impact and lead into a cultural discussion regarding labor and the public response to military funding.

 

Cultural Impact

This page will go more in-depth on the cultural impact and explain why Americans accepted the creation of the B-2 Bomber not only as something necessary but as something important. It will show how people respond to the B-2, any resistance and praise it received both publicly and politically, and the way it is used as an American icon.

 

Legacy

This page will conclude discussion and carry the B-2 forward into its modern impact militaristically, economically, and culturally. It will also explain how the B-2 is a technological artifact worthy of mentioning in history; this bomber jet helped America feel as though it was powerful against its greatest enemy and remains a symbol of power today.

 

Bibliography

This page will detail all sources used throughout the site, organized into groups of written sources (primary and secondary), media sources, and sources used within the documentary.