Introducing..... Doomland, an animated short film made by middle school and high school students, enrolled in Scribe's Summer 2006 Intro to Animation class.

Scribe is offering this workshop starting on Tuesday, July 24, 2007. Scroll down for complete info. To register for the workshop Scribe at 215 222 4201.




Introduction to Animation will meet for 3 weeks and covers the art of creating the illusion of motion through frame-by-frame manipulation. This hands-on workshop explores different techniques of stop motion animation including mixed media, hand drawn, and cut paper. Participants work in groups and on individual projects. No previous art or computer training is required, just a good imagination and some patience. Scribe youth workshops are recommended for young people between 11 and 19.

DATES: Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 24, 26, 31, August 2, 7 & 9
TIME: 1:30 - 4:30 pm
FEE: $75
LOCATION: Scribe Video Center, 4212 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Youth Filmmakers Premiere Doc on Youth and the Military

Over 150 excited friends and family turned out on Thursday, October 19th at the International House to see the world premiere of this year's Documentary History Project for Youth entitled A Military Education: Youth and the Cost of War. The 23 minute documentary was written and directed by Tashuana Bagby, Ron Blye-Coleman, Alexis Cummings, Rebecca Ebner, James Shelton, Daimen Squire, and Tenneh Vincent. With the Iraq War in its fourth year these young filmmakers skillfully wove together a story exploring the themes of military recruitment, why youth enlist, and how war influences society and youth culture from camouflage clothing to video games.

See a photo slideshow from the premiere posted by Program Director Gretjen Clausing.

The 2006 Precious Places shoot day was a great success! Check out the Precious Places Blog to learn more!

Will the real Grace Lee please stand up?

The Grace Lee responsible for The Grace Lee Project is standing on the left. The Grace Lee on the right is a Philly-based choreographer and was in attendance the night of the screening.

Over 100 people joined Scribe on Friday, June 2 for a screening of The Grace Lee Project and an exerpt from a local comedy troupe's self-titled video Asians Misbehavin'. There was even a big line at the box office!!

People who stayed after the films were treated to a discussion with Grace Lee herself. Questions ranged from how she conceptualized the film and website to what her next project is going to be. The answer to the latter is, American Zombie. Grace would not divulge much about the project... so stay tuned to her website to find out more.

And thanks very much to the local chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) who hosted a wine and cheese event prior to the film.

Producers' Forum with Keith + Mendi Obadike

Interdisciplinary artists Keith + Mendi Obadike shared their innovative work with folks at Scribe on Friday, May 19. Check out their work online.

Art of Producing

Lisa Cortés talked with filmmakers, experienced and novice alike. As a producer who is known for her creativity in developing and producing highly successful projects, participants were privy to hearing about her personal experiences in the world of independent filmmaking.

Judith Helfand, co-founder of Working Films is well known for her work in advocacy and/or social issue documentary filmmaking. She is currently working with Philly-based filmmaker Bernadine Mellis on distributing The Forest For the Trees.

Doug Block, whose personal documentary film 51 Birch Street, is making its way around the festival circuit, talked about how filmmakers need to stop thinking of themselves as starving artists. Doug has pushed himself as an independent documentary filmmaker to both self-advocate and learned to promote his films on his own and by collaborating with marketing firms. He encouraged filmmakers to utilize email services like Groundspring or Constant Contact to stay in touch with fans, press, current and possible donors as well.

It's Time for a Call for Change
Scribe Producers' Forum with J.T. Takagi from Third World Newsreel

On Friday, March 24 at International House (3701 Chestnut Street) J.T. Takagi along with other guest filmmakers from Third World Newsreel's Call for Change program screened and discussed their short documentaries. Cheraine Stanford, a MFA candidate at Temple University in Film and Media Arts, was all smiles as she presented her film Color Conscious. Her film, which questions dual identities, stereotypes and civil liberty abuses faces by immigrants in the US, was a natural local addition to the program.

Marlene Champion, Jocelyn Campbell and Ai-Jen Poo from Domestic Workers United made the trip from New York to present their film Work and Respect about the over 200,000 women who work in the homes of New Yorkers as housekeepers and nannies, most are women of color and many undocumented.

Leslie K. Brown (pictured below with J.T.) was joined by family members from Philly and Harrisburg to see her film Untold Legacy. Her film, which follows the introduction of a bill in New York City Council that would require companies doing business with the city to investigate and reveal any past complicity and profit from the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, generated much discussion. Many in the audience wanted to know if such a bill had been introduced in Philadelphia. The day after the screening Leslie emailed us with the news that in fact Philadelphia City Council did pass the Slavery Era Ordinance Bill and they are also in the process of passing the Disinvestment Bill.

Some exciting news for Philadelphia filmmakers is that this year TWN will be expanding their call for filmmakers beyond New York in the 2006 Call for Change. We will publicize the application as soon as they put it out or you can bookmark Third World Newsreel and check it yourself.

On the following day, J.T. taught her audio recording class to a packed house at Scribe. Bad sound on a video project is every filmmaker's worst nightmare. So if you couldn't make this workshop we recommend that you take Recording Audio for Mini DV with Jack Melhbaum on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21st. Registering is as easy as a call or email to inquiry@scribe.org.

Puppets and Feathers and Fezzes, Oh My!
Scribe's Community Visions 2006 Premiere

Did you make it to International House (3701 Chestnut Street) on Tuesday night for Scribe's Annual Community Visions premiere? If you didn't, well, you missed one of the liveliest Scribe screenings so far this year.

Mothers in Charge & The Arts and Spirituality Center -- you could easily spot them in the IHouse lobby in colorful T-shirts making it clear that its wearer was a Mother In Charge -- screened their 14-minute video, How We Make A Change. It explores the groups' collaboration on the Master Peace Project, which mobilizes teens and youths to explore alternatives to violence through theater and the arts.

The Moorish Science Temple of America, Inc. members sported maroon-colored fezzes and an almost visible sense of proud accomplishment while basking in the glow of appreciative audience members who were really "feeling" their video, Love of Nationality and Citizenship.

While a few of the teen student videomakers from The Freire Charter School had to be gently shooed away from the slightly alcoholic sangria at the post-screening reception -- we can vouch that they were on a natural high from the joy of seeing themselves on the big screen -- their video more than answered the question posed by its title, Who is Paulo Freire? And who made the giant puppet head likeness of Freire, the radical educational philosopher himself, that you brought to the screening?

Members of the Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac dance troupe arrived early and stayed late, premiering a lively video exloring the richness of native Aztec culture and dance among Mexican immigrants and migrants in the Philadelphia area, then immediately segueing into a post-screening performance that kept the audience glued to their seats. And to the littlest Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac dancer who couldn't resist punctuating his performance with friendly waves and kisses -- we love you too!

If you're part of a community group eager to commit its work, history and activism to video, there's still time to apply to become a part of the 2006 Community Visions program. (Giant puppet heads are optional.) Contact Community Visions Coordinator Jamese Wells at the Scribe offices (215-222-4201) or via e-mail at jamese@scribe.org to get a head start on your fabulous premiere screening in early 2007.