(Photo: Getting ready to interview Prof. Stephen
Hawking and his daughter Lucy at his office in
Cambridge, 2009)
Every year, the students that are accepted into the Youth Films International workshops get better and better. Kids in high school dedicate themselves to spending six Saturdays with professionals at the iconic National Film Board learning about making a documentary - and during the week they do the work and make them. It inspires me.
Another thing that amazes me each year is the depth and thoughtfulness of the subjects students chose to profile in their documentaries. As you'll see below, they are personal, touching and smart. Good on you.
So thanks for coming students, I'm glad you're part of the history of Youth Films. You've set the bar higher yet again.
Meet the upcoming generation of documentary film makers who are making sure Change is Happening. Be sure to cheer them on.
I am 16 years old and I live in Pontypool.
I have been interested in filmmaking for a long time and have made quite a few shorts for fun and also for school. I have not yet made a documentary so I think this could be a good way for
me to expand my knowledge in film.
Our documentary is about Neighborhood Gentrification in the GTA and the various social and economical effects of this process.
My name is Sham Mughal and I am a 17 year old student, currently in grade 12 at David and Mary Thomson C.I. I am very interested in video production because I now understand how powerful of a tool it is to get information across. I hope to become a very successful director and be able to change the world through my movies. I have taken Communication and Technology also Video production classes which has helped me realize what I want to do and how to do it.
My name is Felicia Khan. I’m 17 years old and I’m attending my last year at David & Mary Thomson CI. When I was in grade 10, I was first introduced to Video Production and started learning about filmmaking. In this production class, we got familiar with the video camera; we made short videos throughout the year, and then a large video project in the end. I never got the chance to actually film a documentary so I’m excited to see what it’s going to be like. I’m looking forward to being able to create a documentary .
Cassandra Vincenzi is a grade 12 student who has always had an interest in the film industry; it became relevant to her that she actually wanted to consider it as an occupation when she found herself examining cut and angles while watching popular movies. She has never done a documentary before; but during her grade 11 communication technology course she decided to do a Mocumentary about a girl who thought she was the sidekick of a super villain in reality this so called villain was actually just the schools bully. She hopes that learning the techniques to creating a documentary will enhance her understanding of the art of film. She is hoping to attend the RTA program at Ryerson University but at the moment she will be attending the Arts and Contemporary Studies. She hopes that she can take the skills she learns and apply it to her future career.
Our Doc
Our documentary topic is Social Change. The question that we are asking is: Is Social Networking hypnotizing our generation to stop us from finding out the truth and to believe what they say and not to question anything and at the same time “Dumbing-Down” our generation. We will be looking into the case of the internet and the computer also television and how it is or isn’t destroying the young minds. Also is it a positive direction we are moving to and a negative. Through this question we will try to uncover the truth and answer the question that everyone is asking.
Hello, my name is Marcus, I am 13 years old and I enjoy wildlife and animation. I am from Markham, Ontario, and go to Brother Andre Catholic High School. I am in the 11th grade but take a few grade 10 subjects. I really enjoy doing biology and other science because of all the interesting wonders our world holds.
When I was in the 1st grade I was bullied and mocked. My parents decided to home school me after that experience until I was 9 years old. My father decided to put me in school again but again it did not work out. Because of that I was held back 2 grades but soon my parents decided to home school me again. Soon, I managed to skip another grade and go into high school.
My name is Malcolm Cassius Rose Harriott. I stay at home and do virtual schooling from Richmond Green S.S., I am in grade 9 and I am 11 years old. My hobbies are: animations, soccer, drawings, violin, and piano. My aspirations in life is to be an animator and a dentist, I am going to try to be the best animator ever with my brothers.
Our Doc
In our film the behaviour of geese will be monitored from our own backyard as we journey around our pond. We will also make animations to give a better interpretation for their behaviour.
Hello, my name is Oksana Slade! I am 15 years old. I was born and raised in Ukraine, where my parents were missionaries for 12 years. I am in grade 11. I have been homeschooled all of my life. I enjoy reading, playing piano, and making cards. I love musicals with a passion. I've always had an interest in writing and I am thinking about pursuing a career in journaling.
My name is Jeremy Langlois and I am 17 years old. I have an interest in engineering and architecture. I am interested in mechanical engineering. I play the cello, bass guitar and the piano. My current job is working as a Lifeguard and swimming instructor and I have been doing so for two years. I have also always had an interest in film and photography, and have often thought about becoming a professional film editor/photography.
I go by the name Matthew, Matthew Sutherland. I born and raised for the first half of my life in the beautiful province of British Colombia. I greatly enjoy music, art, photography and filming. I like anything that involves being creative and artistic. I am in grade 11, and hope to pursue a career in arts and media, and what every that may in-tale.
Our Doc
The short documentary that us three will be making, will explore homelessness in down-town toronto among youth. And how youth may come into that kind of predicament. We will observe what can be done to end homelessness among youth in toronto. We will be talking to people are experienced in this area and what they have to say.
Stay tuned for more, including blog updates on their projects.
Hawking and his daughter Lucy at his office in
Cambridge, 2009)
Every year, the students that are accepted into the Youth Films International workshops get better and better. Kids in high school dedicate themselves to spending six Saturdays with professionals at the iconic National Film Board learning about making a documentary - and during the week they do the work and make them. It inspires me.
Another thing that amazes me each year is the depth and thoughtfulness of the subjects students chose to profile in their documentaries. As you'll see below, they are personal, touching and smart. Good on you.
So thanks for coming students, I'm glad you're part of the history of Youth Films. You've set the bar higher yet again.
Meet the upcoming generation of documentary film makers who are making sure Change is Happening. Be sure to cheer them on.
Micah Adrian
I am 16 years old and I live in Pontypool.
I have been interested in filmmaking for a long time and have made quite a few shorts for fun and also for school. I have not yet made a documentary so I think this could be a good way for
me to expand my knowledge in film.
Caleb
Through the years ever since well about grade 7 I have been making short films and productions with my friends. While learning some good editing and filming traits i was able to pick up how to edit. I am doing this certain project cause i think it is a great way to expand my filming and editing skills. Also teaching me new things about the filming process and also just to have a good time putting together another short film with my friend to see how we have improved in are movie making skills. I love making films and i love watching them and hopefully this will give me a better understanding of them.
Our documentary is about Neighborhood Gentrification in the GTA and the various social and economical effects of this process.
Sham, Felicia, Cassandra
My name is Sham Mughal and I am a 17 year old student, currently in grade 12 at David and Mary Thomson C.I. I am very interested in video production because I now understand how powerful of a tool it is to get information across. I hope to become a very successful director and be able to change the world through my movies. I have taken Communication and Technology also Video production classes which has helped me realize what I want to do and how to do it.Felicia
My name is Felicia Khan. I’m 17 years old and I’m attending my last year at David & Mary Thomson CI. When I was in grade 10, I was first introduced to Video Production and started learning about filmmaking. In this production class, we got familiar with the video camera; we made short videos throughout the year, and then a large video project in the end. I never got the chance to actually film a documentary so I’m excited to see what it’s going to be like. I’m looking forward to being able to create a documentary .Cassandra Vincenzi is a grade 12 student who has always had an interest in the film industry; it became relevant to her that she actually wanted to consider it as an occupation when she found herself examining cut and angles while watching popular movies. She has never done a documentary before; but during her grade 11 communication technology course she decided to do a Mocumentary about a girl who thought she was the sidekick of a super villain in reality this so called villain was actually just the schools bully. She hopes that learning the techniques to creating a documentary will enhance her understanding of the art of film. She is hoping to attend the RTA program at Ryerson University but at the moment she will be attending the Arts and Contemporary Studies. She hopes that she can take the skills she learns and apply it to her future career.
Our Doc
Our documentary topic is Social Change. The question that we are asking is: Is Social Networking hypnotizing our generation to stop us from finding out the truth and to believe what they say and not to question anything and at the same time “Dumbing-Down” our generation. We will be looking into the case of the internet and the computer also television and how it is or isn’t destroying the young minds. Also is it a positive direction we are moving to and a negative. Through this question we will try to uncover the truth and answer the question that everyone is asking.
Marcus
When I was in the 1st grade I was bullied and mocked. My parents decided to home school me after that experience until I was 9 years old. My father decided to put me in school again but again it did not work out. Because of that I was held back 2 grades but soon my parents decided to home school me again. Soon, I managed to skip another grade and go into high school.
Malcolm
My name is Malcolm Cassius Rose Harriott. I stay at home and do virtual schooling from Richmond Green S.S., I am in grade 9 and I am 11 years old. My hobbies are: animations, soccer, drawings, violin, and piano. My aspirations in life is to be an animator and a dentist, I am going to try to be the best animator ever with my brothers.
Our Doc
In our film the behaviour of geese will be monitored from our own backyard as we journey around our pond. We will also make animations to give a better interpretation for their behaviour.
Oksana, Matthew, Jeremy
Hello, my name is Oksana Slade! I am 15 years old. I was born and raised in Ukraine, where my parents were missionaries for 12 years. I am in grade 11. I have been homeschooled all of my life. I enjoy reading, playing piano, and making cards. I love musicals with a passion. I've always had an interest in writing and I am thinking about pursuing a career in journaling.
My name is Jeremy Langlois and I am 17 years old. I have an interest in engineering and architecture. I am interested in mechanical engineering. I play the cello, bass guitar and the piano. My current job is working as a Lifeguard and swimming instructor and I have been doing so for two years. I have also always had an interest in film and photography, and have often thought about becoming a professional film editor/photography.
I go by the name Matthew, Matthew Sutherland. I born and raised for the first half of my life in the beautiful province of British Colombia. I greatly enjoy music, art, photography and filming. I like anything that involves being creative and artistic. I am in grade 11, and hope to pursue a career in arts and media, and what every that may in-tale.
Our Doc
The short documentary that us three will be making, will explore homelessness in down-town toronto among youth. And how youth may come into that kind of predicament. We will observe what can be done to end homelessness among youth in toronto. We will be talking to people are experienced in this area and what they have to say.
Stay tuned for more, including blog updates on their projects.
Awesome students! Indeed, each of them truly has developed passion in film making at a very young age. As I was reading their profiles, I was thinking that they'll surely make it big in the documentary film industry. I'm positive that they'll be famous in that field, and share their passion to others, too, just like Gadi Leshem and other film making enthusiasts and producers.
ReplyDeleteVictor, thanks for your comments and support of Youth Films! I agree, they're off to an amazing start!
ReplyDelete