| |
| The Youth Training Program |
| |
KidsTalk is revolutionary in its program to allow high school and college students the opportunity to work on and produce an acclaimed television series.
In partnership with Loyola Marymount University and the University of Southern California, KidsTalk’s long-standing educational partners, the Youth Training Program of KidsTalk was established in 2000 to train college students in the areas of media communications, production training, public relations, creative writing, website design and peer mentoring through a series of internship opportunities and workshop training provided by KidsTalk. To date, over 100 young students have been affected by these hands-on training programs that give them a closer look into the media field, and into the hearts and minds of their peers.
Self-esteem and confidence are enhanced as a result of the KidsTalk, Youth Training Program. Through the development of our production-mentoring program, youth are given the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge in various aspects of video production for programming. The program will develop life-long skills necessary to enhance their educational opportunities and career paths. Through the development of the program, each program participant, both kids and teens, have the ability to become a KidsTalk and Voices of Tomorrow scholars of the arts, learning all aspects of videography and computer skills necessary to actively compete in today’s market. The program components are as follows:
1. Content and Story:
During the story and development portion of the program, KidsTalk scholars are instructed in the development of storylines. Encompassed within the development will be the research of the targeted audience or segment that is being shot, historical background, and Verification of content information. KidsTalk scholars will be taken through the development of storyboards, narratives, script development (when necessary), and development of timelines to ensure the timely completion of each segment to be filmed.
2. Pre-Production:
Program Development and Outlines:
During the program development stage, detailed outlines are developed to show our KidsTalk scholars the necessary process required to ensure all aspects of production are completed. KidsTalk scholars are instructed in the stages of scheduling and budgeting, as well as the enlisting of all physical resources required for the production of a successful segment. In addition, topics ranging from equipment, shooting schedules, talent searches, storyboards, voice-overs, set design, lighting etc, will be learned.
Pre-production will include the instruction on the proper techniques for composing each shot or segment and provided the understanding that establishing shots early on in the pre-production phase may assist in reduced times and setup costs. Through the utilization of our hands-on approach to learning, our KidsTalk scholars obtain the first-hand knowledge necessary for the total development of this phase.
Procurement of Resources:
In the procurement of resources, KidsTalk scholars' work side by side with our production staff and interns to develop a clear understanding of all resources required for the successful completion of each half-hour or hour segment. Included within the resource procurement phase will be the identification of materials and equipment required, locations, necessary permits and/or licenses, along with any additional aspects necessary to achieve a professional and comprehensive segment. While the KidsTalk Foundation currently has their own studio for the development and filming of each segment, we provide our youth with the opportunity to search out alternative sites for potential current and/or future segments on location or other studios.
KidsTalk scholars are provided information on rental equipment and other resources required to complete the effective development of the segment. In some cases our KidsTalk scholars are completely responsible for the procurement of delegated equipment as to assist them in the development of the first-hand experience required to achieve maximization of future funds.
3. Production Camera Techniques
At the core of a good production is the ability to understand the camera and the varying angles and techniques to enhance each scene. The KidsTalk Foundation staff will instruct KidsTalk scholars in the reliable and up-to-date ways of obtaining high quality cinematic angles within the documentary film industry. Within the scope of camera techniques, we strive to include the following:
|
Avoiding unnecessary movement of the camera such as rapid movement, panning left or right, tilting up or down, and zooming in unless absolutely necessary – emphasis is on the “gentle touch. |
|
Changing of camera angles developed through a technique of gradual movement rather than frequent secessions of rapid movement. |
|
Variations in camera focus techniques as well as the proper utilization of various auto focusing techniques and methods. |
Sound:
The importance of sound should not be overlooked in the development of a segment of film. As an essential component of the production, proper sound ratios will ensure that background noise does not interfere with the interviewer and/or person being interviewed. During the development and instruction of this phase our program participants, the children, are instructed in the proper relationship between sound and background noise effects.
Various sound effects and arrangements are introduced in order to cover the full dynamic range of sound development. Proper sound level adjustments and settings are critical at this phase in the production. That is why we provide education on various techniques such as setting sound levels relatively low and amplifying them during editing, as well as accounting for increased film noise associated with various techniques. In some cases, recording sound separately in required to ensure the complete clarity of the speech patterns in the final editing stage of the training. While we are not proclaiming to provide complete sound engineering training, we do provide our KidsTalk scholars the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions as to their future career paths and opportunities.
Lighting:
In the production of our half-hour segments, lighting can often become a factor in obtaining the most professional quality of production. Our scholars are shown correct lighting techniques as well as proper utilization of filters and various cell placements when needed. During each segment, they are active participants in the establishment of lighting and placement of key lighting instruments. Lighting is shown to the scholars as a Very important aspect of filming.
Although in-studio lighting is the most common typed utilized for our segments, KidsTalk staff provides our scholars with instruction in the proper illumination of outdoor lighting as well. Our youth are exposed to the following concepts as well as many others relative to the complete understanding of lighting and related issues:
|
Variations in soft (fill) lighting and hard (direct) lighting. |
|
Developing the correct balance between natural sunlight and artificial lighting to produce the most quality effect. |
|
Proper utilization of reflectors, filters, and other lighting equipment. |
Interviewing:
All of the KidsTalk segments are designed to show kids and teens that their voice and opinions are meaningful and relevant in society. As such, none of the guests are pre-interviewed and no segment is scripted. While our segments focus on a variety of topics, the youth who actively participate in each segment are encouraged to speak freely. This includes issues such as suicide, depression, teen hot line access, pregnancy, and other issues that students face every day of their lives. The students provide insight on these different topics from their own individual perspective. Interviewing skills are developed during the program, encouraging our scholars to develop their own unique method of interviewing.
Individuality is emphasized in the interview training. It has been our experience that even the most introverted youth, who may not have a high regard for their own self-esteem, have the ability to conduct in-depth and personal interviews about topics they possess interest in. The KidsTalk, Voices of Tomorrow gives our youth a voice in our current society so that they will develop into the voices of reason for tomorrow.
Each youth is allowed the opportunity to conduct in-depth interviews and speak one-on-one with mentors in the field to help facilitate their development and self-esteem.
4. Post-Production
Editing:
Editing each segment is a core and critical part of the overall development of each segment. The YTP program allows students to learn the process of editing through the hands-on utilization of Avid editing equipment. The editing equipment utilized for our training is the result of a generous donation by the Avid Technology Company. Teens participating in the program learn the advanced techniques of editing, culminating with final collaborative efforts with KidsTalk Foundation staff.
The Youth Training Program represents the long-term commitment of the KidsTalk Foundation, Inc., and the support of our countless volunteers. After completing the program and each of the individual components mastered, KidsTalk scholars will possess the ability, knowledge, and understanding to obtain either various levels of modern technology employment in the field of media arts, computers, journalism, or continue on to higher education in the attainment of an undergraduate degree.
|
|
