Take One: Youth intern initiation done

Written in conjunction with SPNN Youth Media Leader, Morgan Kaardal

In the realm of SPNN Youth high school programs, the summer youth interns are the equivalent of our incoming freshman class. They are certainly fresh- most come to us with little to no media experience- and in need of a little initiation into how things work and what to expect. This year, the 2012 SPNN Youth Interns celebrated the completion of their initiation into the realm of documentary video production with an exhibition of their first projects at Thursday’s Take One screening event in SPNN’s large studio.

But unlike most freshman classes who get an entire year to acclimate, our interns were given only two weeks to put together short autobiographical pieces for their first assignment, the Who Are You? project. Interns were given small handheld cameras to take home and collect footage about themselves and things that are important to them. Then they shot interviewing each on topics of self-identity, importance, and their hopes and dreams . The interns were then split into production groups. They combined their interview footage with the B-roll footage they shot at home to produce three unique video compilations for the mini-screening. 

The Take One event began with time to chat and snack on a delectable spread of cookies, crackers, and tons of fresh fruit courtesy of Felicia Roberts. Then, after food and socializing with interns, parents, friends and staff, it was time to head into the studio. 

This year’s Youth Media Leaders Morgan Kaardal and Destiny Roberts provided a brief introduction to the videos before the show began. At the end of the Who Are You?  projects, we also screened a  compilation of footage from the interns' first soiree with on the street interviews that Morgan put together for the screening.  The project was modeled after the 50 People, One question web series.  The screening was followed by a brief question and answer session, during which most audience members expressed their disbelief at what the interns were able to accomplish in such a short time.