Project Connect

 

.............Youth Empowerment through digital Video Training.

 

 

At Project CONNECT we work together with communities to develop individualized youth video projects that educate, empower and create the next generation of filmmakers. Industry mentors work side by side with youth to create innovative productions that add depth and an authentic local youth voice to Cultural Centers and Museums. Participants are engaged and mobilized around issues that affect them and their communities and at the same time introduced to meaningful career and cultural opportunities. Project CONNECT facilitates First Nations stories being told and documented by First Nation people.

 

We CONNECT youth to...

· The skill sets and technology to express their personal and cultural identities through digital media
· Opportunities to create new and positive self identities and productive roles in the community
· Their culture, elders and traditions
· Meaningful and cool job skills, work experience and career opportunities.

 

 

 

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"Bringing possibilities to young people"

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We also CONNECT. . .


· Cultural Centers and Museums with authentic expressions of local youth through the creation of digital video exhibits
· The traditions of oral history with state of the art equipment and knowledge for documentary story telling
· Communities with high quality locally produced media that also enrich community video archives
· Dreams with concrete action plans

 

 

 

 

 

Working with a low participant to mentor ratio, Project CONNECT provides an opportunity for youth to learn about shooting and editing quality motion pictures as they explore their own culture and identity. We believe that it is essential for filmmakers to be inspired by and excited about the concept and content of the film they are making. As a result we encourage youth to be involved in the project development and creative process so that they have a strong sense of ownership and connection to the final product.

 

Project CONNECT creates culturally empowering projects that fit the specific needs of the communities that we partner with. In the co-development process we create dialogue around the themes that will guide and inform the content of the video productions (often tying in with the larger meta themes of the Cultural Centre, Museum or greater project). We also work together to assess the optimum project size and the appropriate technology and budget that meet the needs of the community.

 

 

Some past and potential Project CONNECT themes:
· Documenting time sensitive information that is often passing with the elders who hold it:
- oral histories
- first languages
- traditional knowledge
- stories and life histories
· Youth issues and experience of day to day life
· Exploring traditional art forms and processes
· Overcoming current and historical challenges
· Showcasing current positive projects in the community
· (Insert your idea here…THINK BIG!)

 

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"Project CONNECT produces films, but more importantly

we produce filmmakers and momentum

in First Nations Communities."

 

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Why CONNECT?

 

Project CONNECT is designed for youth by youth and is unique because it possesses the rare combination of being both cool and positive. The program is about learning to shoot and edit quality motion pictures but more importantly it is about empowering youth through leadership, education and creating long-term connections to positive and meaningful activities.

 

 

 

 

Across North America there are a growing number of youth who feel disconnected. We are disconnected from our families, our culture, our history and the schooling that we receive. At Project CONNECT we believe that it is this lack of connection that leads to the use of drugs and alcohol and involvement in crime and violent activities. We feel that the old paradigm of simply educating our youth about the perils of these activities falls drastically short. Project CONNECT was created to connect youth with meaningful activities to base positive identities on.

 

 

Project CONNECT was also designed to facilitate cultural resurgence and yield maximum community benefit. The program addresses the challenges of passing traditional knowledge down to younger generations and helps to bridge the gap between elders and youth. The hours that the participants invest in the program have also been utilized in past projects as credits towards their high school diplomas (in the form of fine arts, digital media or community service and work experience credits). The creation and showcasing Project CONNECT's video productions also increases community buy in and a local sense of ownership of the Cultural Centre or Museum.

 

Participants recognize their potential to face personal and community challenges and realize the rewards and satisfaction of being a part of positive change.

 

For more information about Project CONNECT please contact us for details.