Project Name:              Aboriginal Youth Multi-Media Toolbox Project

Project Summary:      The Indigenous Media Arts Group (IMAG) Aboriginal Youth Multimedia Training Program is designed for the First Nations participant with an interest in media and production of media.  This project will contribute to the professional development of aboriginal youth who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in the media arts.  The participants will leave the project with a sound knowledge in broadcast quality video production, a demo tape, and a job search strategy.  Each element in the project is essential to establishing a solid foundation for a career in the media either as a member of a crew in the industry or as an independent producer. This project will help young producers by developing their skills and talents to a higher level through training in broadcast quality video production, television, radio and new media.

Participants learn to work in the video medium by combining theoretical and technical concerns including design, scripting, directing, camera operation and picture and sound editing.  After the training, each participant will have access to the equipment, editing suites and services at the Indigenous Media Arts Group studios.

Anticipated Results: Personal strengths - this project will contribute to the knowledge, skills and self-confidence of aboriginal youth who undertake this training.  In addition they will learn industry requirements for media production and also will have a good grasp of media theory and practice.

Partnership building the project will continue on building upon past partnerships with the Canadian Association for Media Education which works together with ICTV (Independent Community Television), the Vancouver Cooperative Radio station (CFOR), and Video In Studios with which IMAGe has fostered a close relationship.  Also Redwire Native Youth Magazine is a community resource for the project.

Promotion of Aboriginal youth the IMAG website will host information about the youth program and show clips of the work produced.  The last group of youth who participated in the 2000 program had their work broadcasted on the local cable station and a special screening of their videos were shown at the IMAGeNation Aboriginal Film and Video Festival.  The work produced during this project will also be showcased at the coming festival and be presented to APTN (the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), one of the festival sponsors.