In order to popularize documentary filmmaking skills and improve media literacy among young people, free master classes on documentary filmmaking “DOCU-EDU TOUR” will be held in different cities of Latvia from August 25 to September 7, the portal balticevents.info reports.
Young people will be able to attend master classes in Riga, Jurmala, Cesis and Liepaja. All master classes will be conducted by directors and teachers from the award-winning New York youth media center DCTV (Downtown Community Television Center) – Johnny Ramos and Jesse Perez Antigua.
The master classes are designed for young people aged 14 to 25, regardless of previous experience, and provide an opportunity to master the basics of documentary filmmaking, develop creative skills and gain knowledge from professionals – from the program director of youth programs at DCTV and filmmaker and media education specialist Jesse Perez Antigua.
During the master classes, participants will gain practical skills in working with camera and sound equipment, developing and editing scripts, and will also take part in discussions on creating content suitable for a youth audience, watch American documentaries about youth, and receive individual consultations on developing their projects. Participation in the master classes is free upon prior registration. Register.
“Filmmaking should be accessible to everyone, and I encourage young people to use the power of media to tell their stories and become active members of society,” says Johnny Ramos, Director of Youth Programs at DCTV with over twenty years of experience in filmmaking and media education.
DCTV is one of the leading centers for media education in the United States. Graduates of its youth program regularly achieve success at international festivals, including Sundance and Tribeca. Its activities are aimed at educating and encouraging the younger generation to express themselves.
Jessie Perez Antigua is a New York-based educator, filmmaker, and activist who has worked at DCTV for over a decade. She directs youth film projects, and her students’ work, Our Camera, Our Stories, was nominated for a New York Emmy. Jessie also co-produced the HBO Max documentary COVID DIARIES. She strives to illuminate stories that are little known and to help storytellers preserve their stories.
“The master classes are a great opportunity to learn the basics of documentary storytelling from the best US professionals who, thanks to the Baltic-American Partnership program, will share their knowledge with Latvian youth for free. This will be an opportunity to open new horizons in their development, creativity, and, possibly, career. There is a lack of documentary stories in Latvia from the perspective of youth, and I hope that cooperation with the experienced New York Youth Film School will become the basis for new stories and joint projects in the future. Therefore, I encourage young people not to think too long and to definitely apply!” urges Ilona Bičevska, film producer of “Avantis” and head of the youth movement “Young Media Sharks”.
Master classes and events:
Riga:
A master class on cinema will be held on August 25 and 26 at the “Young Media House” centre (Blaumana Street 38/40)
September 3 at 17.00–20.00 at the address: Stabu 18C will host a discussion “Factual Content for a Young Audience” in cooperation with “Baltic Sea Docs”.
September 4 at 18:00 at the Latvian Academy of Arts there will be a screening of an American youth documentary
September 5 at 13:00–16:00 at the “Young Media House” center or remotely there will be an opportunity to receive individual consultations on the implementation of documentary film ideas
Cēsis:
August 27-28 at 10:00–18:00 at the “Cēsis Youth House” (Rīgas Street 23) a master class on cinema will be held
Jurmala:
September 2 at 17:00–18:00 at the Jurmala Youth Initiative Center (Mazaja Nometnu Street 1 in Kauguri) a lecture “How to Tell Your Story” on the basics of documentary film will be held
September 2 at 18:00–20:00 an evening of American youth documentary cinema
Liepaja:
September 6-7, 10:00–18:00, a master class on cinema will be held at the Liepaja Youth House (Kungu Street 24)
To apply for the master classes, you must fill out the form.
