Extension Assistant Professor State Specialist—Community Development Process

research rural economic and historical factors that affect health insurance availability, including cost drivers and barriers. A team of academics, health care professionals and citizens are examining the history of the health system and economy in this rural county of 12,000, halfway between St. Louis and Columbia. This project presents an opportunity to understand the tremendous transition in rural health in the last century and how the changing rural economy affects coverage. The vehicle of community-directed documentary filmmaking is being used (1) to engage the community in its own self-analysis and exploration of this complex issue; (2) provide the community with a medium for communication; and (3) share project results. This document provides information on community-directed filmmaking as a community development tool and on the Montgomery County pilot project. Key words: community development tool; community video; film; health; participatory researchCOMMUNITY VIDEO AS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TOOL Movie production, once limited to Hollywood professionals or home movie amateurs, has become increasingly common in the last decade with the advent of improved, high quality, consumer-level video cameras and affordable digital video editing programs. Children across the country are making videos as part of classroom projects, and college students are producin