Media Making Change
4013 N Gantenbein, Portland, OR 97227 (503) 975-4545
Based on the success of our Summer Documentary Program, the Northwest Institute is introducing a new program that teaches teenagers how to produce engaging short films. For our first spring session, the Northwest Institute will work with a group of LBGT teens. Like our other successful programs, participating teens will attend media literacy and media production seminars, and then take those skills to the streets to produce a professional-quality video documentary.
By providing classes and media training, we provide a medium and opportunity for these teens to articulate their voices and stories on their own terms, and in their own manner. And, in doing so, they create media projects that address stereotypes—whether that is a serious-minded documentary about a local civic leader or a funny narrative about a gay superhero.
All area teens are eligible to apply. (Get more information about the application process.) The program is free. Teens will come from a mix of organizations and schools in the Portland vicinity.
We are not necessarily looking for the A+ student who sits front-and-center, but are looking for students who have a strong interest in media and voicing their opinions. The ideal candidate is someone who has worked with community projects and is interested in “making a difference.” Many of our students have never picked up a microphone or video camera before, yet they leave the program with professional-grade skills for producing media projects and a strong knowledge about how to affect real social change.
There is any application process that considers your interest, availability and what you will bring to the team.
Teens should be available for one weekend is mid-February for a “camp retreat” and should be available to commit two afternoons each week to classes and video production. Depending on the complexity of the students’ projects, some evening and weekend time may be necessary.
Students work in teams of four to develop their projects and, in the process, to develop team-building and social skills.
Over three months, from February through April, teens attend a series of seminars and workshops. Like our Summer Documentary Program, Teen Voices begins with a three-day weekend at a “camp” on Mt Hood, where participants learn journalist skills (interviewing, narrative structure, etc.) and begin to bond as a team. The classes are intense, but also fun and there is plenty of time for mountain hikes and hanging out around the fire.
For the remainder of the program (through April), students attend afternoon classes twice a week in Portland. (Days will depend on the schedules of students accepted to the program; but students should expect to attend classes from 4–6 pm. We will help arrange transportation, if necessary.) Students conclude the program in April by arranging a public screening at their documentaries.
Students learn about media literacy so that they can develop life-long skills to critically understand portrayals of LGBT in the media and attend interactive seminars that teach about public policy so that they can understand how to produce persuasive media products. And, of course and perhaps most exciting, students learn how to properly use video equipment and how to make a smashingly exciting and engaging short film. Working with successful filmmakers and award-winning editors, students team up in groups of four to produce a high-grade film—whether that means a serious-minded documentary about a local civic leader or a funny short narrative about a gay superhero. The topic for this term is: Addressing stereotypes.
“What did I take from the program,” asks Meg Nanson, a student in our 2007 Summer Program and a Smith College 2008 graduate. “Increased confidence, a better sense of direction, a renewed sense of idealism, a wide knowledge base and the ability to stand behind my convictions.” And, she adds, “lifelong friendships.”
Most tangibly, students produce a high-grade short film. For examples of previous student work, please check out some of their past projects. These films were created by students who had never picked up a camera before. It is an exciting and engaging program that works to help students hone their artistic sensibilities as well as learn the technical skills necessary to assemble a professional-quality film.
But it is more than simply producing an end-product that is important to the success on this program; during the process, participating teens learn critical-thought skills, leadership tools and processes to articulate their voices.
Download this application » (pdf)
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