Multimedia Workshop: Video Interviews

The NELA River Collaborative project builds upon the growing momentum of efforts already underway to transform the Los Angeles River into a "riverfront district" and to create a focal point of community revitalization. For more information visit www.mylariver.org

This week Youth Voices student producers took part in the video and audio workshops. The students explored the basics of video and audio production in a hands-on approach, conducting practice interviews with each other. This allowed the students to familiarize themselves with the equipment, preparing them for the interviews they will be conducting with community members during their field work in the coming weeks.

Recording video, similar to taking pictures, comes relatively easily for the students. With access to smart phones, students have a powerful technology at their disposal and a willingness to document their lives. The key is taking that willingness and building a foundation of skills and tools that will expand their knowledge of production and build up their confidence to ask a member of their community for an interview. Ultimately the students will learn how to use these tools with the intention and the goal of sharing their experiences and community stories.

Employing the technical and creative tools introduced in the photography workshop, students practiced setting up a shot, framing the subject, observing available light, and building a visual story. They also picked up technical tips on using a professional camcorder and recording clear sound -- which will prove to be very important when they conduct interviews with community members in unexpected places in the next few weeks.

Check back with Youth Voices to see how the students put new media skills into action -- building their neighborhood story with audio, photography and video.