digital media training

People's Production House

Location:
New York, NY

At People’s Production House we are fulfilling the promise of citizen and community journalism by closing the gap in skills and access.

We believe a diverse, ethical, and independent media is an essential element of social change and we believe that historically excluded communities must be protagonists in media democracy. Our work combines media creation, media policy education and media organizing to preserve and expand the free press so central to America’s identity and democracy.

PPH is run and staffed by journalists and community organizers from historically excluded communities. Our projects are unique as we bring together two of the best American traditions: community organizing and independent media creation, to build a community of media organizers: media literate youth and workers who can create and demand a media that functions in their interests.

Mobile Film School

Location:
Austin, TX

The Mobile Film School is committed to:

media arts education to rural and underserved communities, including the juvenile justice system;
creating long-term mentoring relationships by pairing students with seasoned industry professionals and educators;
providing media educators with the tools to continue local media educational programming and production; and,
cultivating a unique appreciation of local history and culture using storytelling in film.

Malden Access TV

Location:
Malden, MA

The mission of MATV is to provide the community with access to electronic media, training and channel time so that members have a forum to communicate their ideas, information, and concerns to the community-at-large. Through outreach and education, our goal is to foster the respectful free exchange of information, opinions, and interests of Malden community members.

Since the media center opened its doors in 1989, MATV has become a vibrant community center where people from all sectors of the city come together to express their opinions, share their knowledge, explore their cultures, reveal their talents and encourage citizen participation. MATV believes in freedom of speech, empowerment, diversity and encouraging public discourse that in turn, strengthens democracy and builds community through the use of media.

MATV is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors and it is through the hard work of those members, along with the staff and volunteers, that the mission of Malden Access Television is realized.

Our Services

Training workshops are provided for members in all aspects of video and computer-based media production. This includes the use of the digital camcorders, editing, studio production and the utilization of internet resources. A nominal fee is charged for basic, intermediate and advanced classes.
MATV also provides free access with membership to a wide range of equipment., from portable video equipment, editing suites and television studios to access to our web site and the Internet.
Programming time on the appropriate channel (Public, Education, or Government) is granted on a first come, first served basis for all video programs produced by community members or programs imported and sponsored by a community member.
There are special workshops for local youth, non-profit organizations and groups in the art of television production and computer use.
Free access and use of three community bulletin boards to publicize local events, share information or make general announcements.
Free Internet access and low cost computer classes at the Cyber Café @ Malden Square .
MATV Public Access Channel provides over 90 hours per week of local programming.
MATV Educational Access Channel cablecasts school-related messages; coverage of local school events; educational program produced by NASA, the Department of Education, and other educational entities; and Youth Channel productions created by members of our Teen Drop-in program, youth outreach programs, as well as the Kids Video Adventure Summer Workshop for youngsters ages 8 - 13.
MATV Government Access Channel shows announcements from the City of Malden, election information, public safety messages, coverage of local government meetings, as well as informational programming provided by elected officials on the local, state and national level.

Lowell Telecommunications Corporation

Location:
Lowell, MA

LTC fosters open access to information and communication technologies for the distribution of free ideas, community development and personal empowerment. The following core values guide LTC in its work:
Accessibility and Inclusion
We are dedicated to providing low-cost access to content creation resources and the knowledge to use them without discrimination and with respect for each individual.
Creative Expression and Intellectual Freedom
We promote the artistic and expressive use of communication technologies within a free-speech environment without editorial control.
Community Building through Collaboration
We ground our work in strong collaborations with local community-based organizations, municipal departments and educational entities (including Educational Channel 22). We leverage our organizational resources to build capacity for others and ourselves.
Diversity in All Its Forms
We respect our diverse, multicultural, and dynamic urban population and are dedicated to meeting its many community communication and information needs.
Innovation in the Field of Community Communications
We seek to be an innovator in the field of community communications as demonstrated by our programmatic activities, technology implementation, production methods and overall excellence.

HOME Inc.

Location:
Boston, MA

Our mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of young people.

We teach video production and media analysis to educators and youth to foster confident, creative, individuals with the ability to think for themselves.
Our programs help students develop creative media projects that foster teamwork and communication skills. HOME’s media projects and programs focus on teacher and student collaboration and the ability to effectively evaluate media messages, in order to enhance critical thinking skills.

For HOME, the arts are a vital means of self-expression and a fundamental tool for stimulating lifelong learning.

HOME also supports artists with its “Artist in Residence” program.

We invite you to review the exciting projects, people, education, multimedia services and opportunities we offer in partnership with education and arts organizations.

Heads On Fire

Location:
San Diego, CA

Heads on Fire partners with social change agencies and community technology companies to provide technology access and education, primarily for youth, in underserved areas. Most of the work takes place after school and in the summer, at sites around the city.

Activities are divided into three areas:

The [i]-Team provides digital literacy instruction.

ECHOES magazine helps youth use digital technology to document stories of community interest.
This nationally distributed CD-ROM magazine contains multimedia journalism pieces as well as entertainment sections such as music and game reviews.
Working in close partnership with Christina Glavas, of Minds Wide Open, ECHOES provides training in journalism, digital photography, video editing, audio production, and interactive game design.
Participants work on Saturdays to develop their design skills and take part in a global education curriculum project. Themes such as imagery, oral histories, languages, community orientation, cultural heritage, and other international issues are used as a context for the work.
The work includes traveling to different sites to conduct interviews, as well as production and design time spent in the lab.
The ECHOES training is free and open to youth in San Diego between the ages of 14–18. There is an application process, and participants must be willing to make a ten-month commitment.

The Sunscreens series features the digital work of youth in a two-month gallery exhibit, based on an annual theme.
Each show includes a display of pieces on gallery walls, programs of audio-visual recordings, and interactive kiosks display works created for the computer and the web.
The theme for 2004 was artistic statements made either by or about young Californians who are a part of communities in distress. These included communities affected by crime, poverty, gangs, racism, health crises, refugee status, or social injustice.

Access Humboldt

Location:
Eureka, CA

Local voices through community media – engage, connect, educate.

Our Vision (as outlined in the Strategic Plan) is to establish Access Humboldt (AH) as an innovative, self-sustaining and trusted media resource for residents of Humboldt County, to reach diverse community members who will utilize local media access resources to engage in meaningful conversations that increase participation in civic life, to support and enhance digital media production as a growing industry that supports a continually improving quality of life, and to enable North Coast residents to be among the most media literate people in the world – sharing new ideas and advanced methods to empower local voices for significant positive impact on society.

AH is committed to providing access to communication tools for all residents of Humboldt County regardless of geography, income or skill level. This principle overrides all of the programs of AH. These programs include the operation of four television channels on the local cable line-up, production equipment & facility use for creation of digital media, public computers for development and distribution of digital media, and classes & workshops in the creation, development, distribution and archiving of digital media.

AH is a founding partner in Digital Pathways, a digital media training project committed to developing sustainable training, skill-sharing and workforce development services in collaboration with the Bay Area Video Coalition, the County Workforce Investment Board, the Northern California Indian Development Council and local education institutions. Digital Pathways provides media production vocational skills and practical work experience opportunities for at-risk youth.

Transmission Project