KidsTalk Youth Training Program
The Youth Training Program (YTP) provides hands-on training for youth in communications and television production skills. The YTP brings students together with dedicated professionals to produce the television series: Voices of Tomorrow and to participate in the development of short documentaries. KidsTalk commitment to providing a forum for youth to expand and express their opinions, to improve their communication skills, and to have a voice in their world, fills this gap in the public educational system. Loyola Marymount University, the University of Southern California, and LAUSD, maintain a long-standing educational collaboration with KidsTalk. 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. Student interns receive instruction in all elements of media production, including: producing, directing, story development, script writing, budgeting, scheduling, equipment procurement, film composition, editing, sound, lighting, interviewing techniques, camera operation, communications, streaming media technology, arts and journalism. This program also teaches youth how to cover top stories while on location and in the studio. In addition to the technical side, these students are given the opportunity to voice their opinions on Voices of Tomorrow.
The Youth Training Program provides students with the opportunity to vastly improve their personal communication skills while attaining exceptional skills in media (television and film) production. Concurrently, students expand their knowledge about national and global concerns. KidsTalk Foundation also provides scholarship opportunities in the communities served. Through the development of the YTP program, each program participant, has the ability to become a KidsTalk and Voices of Tomorrow scholars of the arts, learning all aspects of editing, videography and computer skills necessary to actively compete in todays market. Self-esteem and confidence are also enhanced as a result of the KidsTalk, Youth Training Program. Through the development of KidsTalk production-mentoring program, youth are given the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge in various aspects of video production for programming and to develop life-long skills necessary to enhance their educational opportunities and career paths.
- KidsTalk Youth Training Program Components
1. Content and Story KidsTalk scholars are instructed in the development of storylines, research of the targeted audience or segment that is being shot, historical background, verification of content information, 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 KidsTalk scholars are instructed in the stages of scheduling and budgeting, enlisting of all physical resources required for production of a successful segment, including, equipment, shooting schedules, talent searches, storyboards, voice-overs, set design, lighting, proper techniques for composing each shot or segment and understanding that establishing shots early on in the pre-production phase to assist in reduced time and setup costs, procurement of resources, locations, necessary permits and/or licenses. Students at Beverly Hills High School ? ? In sound room Working on set for shoot
3. Production KidsTalk scholars are instructed in reliable and up-to-date ways of obtaining high quality cinematic angles within the documentary film industry, camera techniques, sound effects and the full dynamic range of sound development and recording techniques, professional lighting techniques and proper utilization of equipment. Each scholar is also allowed the opportunity to learn about and 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 Students learn the process of editing through the hands-on utilization of Avid editing equipment, through a generous donation by the Avid Technology Company. Teens participating in the program learn the advanced techniques of editing, culminating with final collaborations with KidsTalk Foundation staff.
A primary benefit of participation in the Youth Training Program is the attainment of invaluable experience in television and film media production. Upon completion of the Youth Training Program and each of the individual components are mastered, KidsTalk scholars will possess the ability, knowledge, and understanding of a wide range of modern technologies and the fundamentals to continue on to higher education at universities or other colleges , to build their resumes and to attain employment in fields of media arts, computers, or journalism. KidsTalk Youth Training Programs have trained approximately 200 youth so far with these outstanding foundational skills to continue their development toward college and careers in communications arts.
These youth would never receive this valuable developmental opportunity without KidsTalk Foundations Youth Training Programs.