workshop ideas

[jkc123]

Hello,

I've been asked to speak to a group of youths ranging in ages from 14-20 about careers in media. I've never really done anything like this before and I've been wondering how to keep the kids interested. The coordinator of the program sent this:

"As far as what to chat about I will ask the group a bit more. I would say the more interactive the better. At least in the beginning – if you have an activity that would be relevant to show something about your career that would be awesome. ?Could you do something like “the day in the life” of? of your career? I think what you do sounds super fun and exciting. It would be awesome too if the young people can see how what you do in your career can be relevant in capturing something that is creative and expressive."

The coordinator never got back to me about the groups response and what they wanted to hear. I was going to lead off with a brief intro and background on myself (I work in TV operations and video production) and then my initial thought was to go through a mock story development and pitch process with the kids. My hope is that this will be engaging and keep them interested. Other than that I'm coming up blank.

What do you guys think? Would you all mind offering any suggestions? Have you all done anything like this? How did/would you approach it?

Thanks, I really appreciate any feedback on this.

[alex whitmer]

hat's a tough one, and a big diff in 14 and 20, or at least on paper! The 2o somethings are going to be more geared for immediate career choice, while your 14 to 16+ are really just fishing for career ideas, and likely to change 100 time between now and actually committing.

How big is this group? Can they be broken into teams?

[jkc123]

There are around 15 people in all. As a last resort I suppose I could give a long drawn out speech...but as far as the "interactive" part goes I've been drawing blanks.

[alex whitmer]

Definitely take your equipment, and I would do some interactive front of the camera and back of the camera,maybe let a few compose a shot, and as this is happening, deliver your information.

Maybe show up with a film project in mind, like you need to shoot a scene, and tell them about all the different roles that need to participate to make that scene, from sound to color to editing and so on, and have them keep notes. At the end, you can do questions and answers which is a great way of giving more information.

Take a boom, maybe a computer that shows any kind of editing capabilities. Have them gather round, and tell them about the scene you need to shoot, and then just get into it. let them participate, look through the lens, maybe even have one group compose another group in front of the camea.

A speech will likely put them to sleep.

a

[Philip Goetz]

Me speaking to 18 - 22 year olds about video.

http://www.mediafire.com/?vmqeexb6228t8dq

[jkc123]

Thanks for the responses guys; I appreciate you helping me brainstorm this.

I think I'll have them stage a scene or two, talk about the difference between shooting to edit and editing in camera (situation appropreiate), then review the scenes.