Teens Make Their Own Videos
Media Arts Center Sponsors D.I.Y. Project
by LEO E. LAURENCE
Copyright © 2010 by Leo E. Laurence • All rights reserved
Hundreds of underserved teenagers are learning highly-technical skills of video production in the Teen Producers Project of the renowned Media Arts Center (MAC), which recently moved from Golden Hill to 2921 El Cajon Boulevard in North Park ([619] 230-1938).
The project recently celebrated its 11th anniversary in a multi-media production in the Gaslamp Quarter.
“The skills these underserved teenagers learn includes videography, lighting, editing, teamwork, script-writing and research,” reported Ethan van Thillo, the MAC’s longtime executive director in a taped interview.
“The project started 11 years ago, and has continued to grow. It now serves over 200 kids a year.
“They produce close to 8 to 9 videos each year.
“The kids may make a video about a particular subject, such as health or environmental issues. Community organizations then use those videos as outreach tools.
“Some of the project’s videos go onioline, including use by our media partner, the Voice of San Di-ego [www.voiceofsandiego.org].
“One of our biggest documentaries, ‘I Want My Parents Back,’ was screened at the International Human Rights Foundation Festival, and has been touring all over the country.
“It’s the story of how parents get separated from their kids when they are deported,” van Thillo ex-plained.
“We work with about 12-15 kids at a time, for about 5-to-10 hours a week after school. We have young, experienced, videographers and media artists who volunteer to work with the students. We provide the equipment, the curriculum and the activities.”
The Media Arts Center project has several corporate sponsors that allow it to operate on both sides of the border simultaneously — in San Diego and Tijuana — every Saturday. They talk to each other via the Internet.
More information is available at www.mediaartscenter.org, or by calling (619) 230-1938.
Contact writer Leo E. Laurence, J.D. at (619) 757-4909 or leopowerhere@msn.com
