Who needs "Super 8" when you have 11 Canon Rebel cameras, three Flip video cameras and four computers?
This summer, 15 teens from Covington, armed with just that equipment,
are making their own video shorts to help define why Covington matters
to creative local leaders.
Teens in the digital summer camp spent the first week exploring a
community garden and walking the Licking River Greenway Trail, talking
with neighborhood leaders along the way.
"It's a combination of leadership and technology," says Jean St. John, director of community arts initiatives for the
Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington.
Filmmaker
Marcelina Robledo,
who works with the teens as they plan, shoot and edit video stories,
agrees. "It's lots of fun," she says. "I'm really surprised at their
attention span. They are really focused."
She assigns teens to play different roles on different days. Some days
they may work a camera, others they may be directors and still another
day, serve as the on-air interviewers who help weave the neighbor's
story.
She recalls the camp's youngest participant, who started off the first
day shy and quiet. By day three, she volunteered to be the "talent" and
take a turn in front of the cameras. "It was great to see her stretching
herself," Robledo says.
Do Good:
•
Stay tuned for the videos. Visit the Great Neighborhoods' site for the latest news on when videos will be available for viewing.
•
"Like" the Center on Facebook. Find images and more information about what the teens are doing.
•
Get on the list. Join the Center's email list for regular updates on programming and funding and volunteer needs.
By Elissa Yancey
Photo courtesy of Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington
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