Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Podunk Below the Masthead, Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Lights, camera, action on the tour with some local flim makers, Mr. Cullen has his reservations with CN's pipeline plans and it's time to make the move at Acropolis, some of the items of note in the Tuesday Daily News.

A ‘REEL’ EXPERIENCE FOR TEENS IN RUPERT-- Some local Prince Rupert youth are learning the ins and outs of film making, as the Reel Youth program once again returns to the Northwest. The details of the week long program were outlined in a front page, headline story in the Tuesday paper (see story below)

Nathan Cullen is not inclined to be a supporter of CN Rails proposed pipeline on rails, the NDP MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley expressed his concerns over the project, which could provide for a number of jobs in Prince Rupert. Cullen's concerns with the planned transportation system is over the potential impact on the environment especially in the fragile rivers systems along the Skeena River and CN mainline (see story here)

The long anticipated move at the Assisted Living units at Acropolis Manor is finally at hand, as the first phase of the big move recently got under way. The Assisted Living Units, part of the new home for the seniors care facility in town, will begin to fill up with with residents moving into their recently finished units. The first new arrival set up home in early July, they expect to have ten residents in place by the end of the month. Still to come will be the major move of the main portion of the seniors facility, which will soon take up residence only a few metres away in the new building.

The Sports section featured a preview of the Mixed Martial Arts club set to open up in town, Stacked Sports run by Kelly McMahon, currently awaiting final zoning approval, he is set to open up shortly on Third Avenue East in the old Club fore location. The Tuesday paper provided a bit of a primer on what he plans to offer at his club for MMA enthusiasts.

Total pages in the Tuesday edition (14)

Front page, headline story:

A ‘REEL’ EXPERIENCE FOR TEENS IN RUPERT
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Pages one and five

Nine Prince Rupert youths are engaged in film making this week.

They are interviewing eight young professionals in the community who love their jobs and their lifestyle.

Stepping up behind the camera, many for the first time, the young camera crew is being mentored by Mark Vonesch and Erica Kohn of ReelYouth (RY).

Reel Youth, a not-for-profit, media empowerment program began four years ago as a program to support young people to create and distribute films about their visions for a more just and sustainable world.

It's the third time that the program has been in Prince Rupert and this time they are here to assist in the creation of a DVD through the Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest’s North Coast Youth Awareness Project.

“The DVD’s purpose it to highlight professionals in our community that have received training or decuation in the Northern Region,” said NCYCAP's coordinator Christine Anonuevo, "Our team wants youth to discover opportunities in their own backyard."

The group spent Friday learning about camera equipment, lighting, sound and the basic concepts of filmmaking.

Ashlee Kollar, 17, is often out taking videos of her friends, but hadn't used a professional video camera before.

"I'm looking forward to learning how to interview people and what kind of questions you can ask," Kollar said Friday.

Before everyone left for the day, Vonesch told the group to think about different locations in Prince Rupert they'd like to feature in the filming and to bring back those ideas for day two.

Kollar said she thought Kwinitsa Station, with its view of the water in the background, would be ideal.

"There are also lots of spots in Cow Bay and the Sunken Gardens. I'm looking forward to it," she added.

Twenty-one year old Duran W'ilson said day one was awesome. It was the first time he'd used a \video camera and he described the experience as “pretty cool”.

“I learned about the program when I saw a poster at the Nisga'a hall. One of my buddies working there told me about it," Wilson said.

Although he grew up in Prince Rupert, Wilson on found that he was meeting a group of new people.

Vonesch decided nine years ago that there was a need for mobile video and animation programs for youth, and started working with youths and filming.

Four years ago he formalized his aspirations and founded Reel Youth.

"Youth are traditionally pegged as consumers of culture and we are trying to help them be creators of culture, rather than having to wait until they are adults," Vonesch said.

"Through the power of digital media, films that used to tour can now be viewed online. It is not unheard of for a film to get 2,000 hits over the Internet. Ten years ago you couldn’t do that.

Reel Youth has worked on 72 animations and videos, mostly in BC, some in Alberta, and recently in Nepal with ex-child soldiers.

Moments after Friday's session, Vonesch had posted a photograph of Wilson holding a camera with one sentence about Reel Youth in Prince Rupert to his twitter account.

Four minutes later, the site had received 13 hits.

"It's live and a great way to share news and show what's out there. With social media, the number of connections young people have today is exponential." .

Kohn joined Reel Youth a couple of months after its conception, jumping in to offer her support, she explained.

She grew up comfortable with cameras and videos around the house and strongly believes film is a powerful communication tool for youth.

"I think it's easy for them to underestimate the power they can express and then when they see themselves on film they realize the strength of the message," Kohn said.

"There is something about a youth voice that hits below the radar in the public. It can cut through our barrier to messages."

Describing the Prince Rupert teenagers as super engaged, diverse and possessing great senses of humour, Kohn said she's convinced it's going to be a good week.

"I think the films we create will be great," she added.

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