About Kidstalk
KidsTalk.Org, Inc., founded in 1997 by
Ninon de Vere De Rosa, is a nationally recognized nonprofit (501(c) (3))
organization that provides youth with a forum for learning
communications and expressing their opinions. The Youth Training Program
(YTP) aims to teach our youth communication and television production
skills. The Youth Training Program brings students together with
dedicated professionals to produce the weekly television series: Voices
of Tomorrow. Students receive hands-on training in producing this
television show that includes training in communications, streaming
media technology, camera operation, sound mixing, arts and journalism.
This program teaches youth how to cover top stories while on location
and in studio. KidsTalk.Org also provides scholarship opportunities
within the communities we serve.
The Youth Training Program provides students with the opportunity to
vastly improve their personal communication skills while attaining
exceptional skills in media (television and film) production.
Concurrently, students expand their knowledge about national and global
concerns. In this era of budget cutbacks, many public schools can no
longer fund communications, fine arts and media educational programs;
thus, many youth do not have the ability or opportunity to learn about
media production through public school programs. Owing to our commitment
to provide a forum for our youth to expand and express their opinions,
to improve their communication skills, and to have a voice in their
world, KidsTalk.Org fills this gap in the public educational system.
Over the past 10
years, KidsTalk.Org has been repeatedly recognized for:
superior education of youth in communications; filming at
Beverly Hills High School for the past five years, giving
our high school teens the skills of them actually producing
a TV show hands on, the positive portrayal of youth in the
media; commitment and support of the youth of the greater
Los Angeles community and commitment to young people around
the world through educational initiatives and outreach.
KidsTalk.Org has garnered (change 72 )awards, including: the
prestigious Gracie Allen Award, the Connect L.A.
Business-to-Community Connections Recognition Award, the
President's Volunteer Service Award and 22 "Telly" Awards!
The primary benefit of participation in the Youth Training
Program is the attainment of invaluable experience in
television and film media production. Within this program
students are able to work on the production of Voices of
Tomorrow and on the development of short documentaries.
Student interns receive instruction in all elements of
production, including: producing, directing, story
development, script writing, budgeting, scheduling,
equipment procurement, film composition, editing, sound,
lighting, interviewing techniques, and camera operation.
More detailed information about YTP is provided below.
The Youth Training Program
Presented by KidsTalk, Voices of Tomorrow
Created 2000 (Ongoing)
In partnership with Loyola Marymount University and the University of
Southern California, KidsTalk’s long-standing educational partners, the
Youth Training Program of KidsTalk was established in 2000 to train
college students in the areas of media communications, production
training, public relations, creative writing, website design and peer
mentoring through a series of internship opportunities and workshop
training provided by KidsTalk. To date, over 100 young students have
been affected by these hands-on training programs that give them a
closer look into the media field, and into the hearts and minds of their
peers.
Self-esteem and confidence are enhanced as a result of the KidsTalk,
Youth Training Program. Through the development of our
production-mentoring program, youth are given the opportunity to gain
hands-on knowledge in various aspects of video production for
programming. The program will develop life-long skills necessary to
enhance their educational opportunities and career paths. Through the
development of the program, each program participant, both kids and
teens, have the ability to become a KidsTalk and Voices of Tomorrow
scholars of the arts, learning all aspects of videography and computer
skills necessary to actively compete in today’s market. The program
components are as follows:
1. Content and Story:
During the story and development portion of the program, KidsTalk
scholars are instructed in the development of storylines. Encompassed
within the development will be the research of the targeted audience or
segment that is being shot, historical background, and Verification of
content information. KidsTalk scholars will be taken through the
development of storyboards, narratives, script development (when
necessary), and development of timelines to ensure the timely completion
of each segment to be filmed.
2. Pre-Production
Program Development and Outlines:
During the program development stage, detailed outlines are developed to
show our KidsTalk scholars the necessary process required to ensure all
aspects of production are completed. KidsTalk scholars are instructed in
the stages of scheduling and budgeting, as well as the enlisting of all
physical resources required for the production of a successful segment.
In addition, topics ranging from equipment, shooting schedules, talent
searches, storyboards, voice-overs, set design, lighting etc, will be
learned.
Pre-production will include the instruction on the
proper techniques for composing each shot or segment and
provided the understanding that establishing shots early on
in the pre-production phase may assist in reduced times and
setup costs. Through the utilization of our hands-on
approach to learning, our KidsTalk scholars obtain the
first-hand knowledge necessary for the total development of
this phase.
Procurement of Resources:
In the
procurement of resources, KidsTalk scholars' work side by
side with our production staff and interns to develop a
clear understanding of all resources required for the
successful completion of each half-hour or hour segment.
Included within the resource procurement phase will be the
identification of materials and equipment required,
locations, necessary permits and/or licenses, along with any
additional aspects necessary to achieve a professional and
comprehensive segment. While the KidsTalk Foundation
currently has their own studio for the development and
filming of each segment, we provide our youth with the
opportunity to search out alternative sites for potential
current and/or future segments on location or other studios.
KidsTalk scholars are provided information on rental
equipment and other resources required to complete the
effective development of the segment. In some cases our
KidsTalk scholars are completely responsible for the
procurement of delegated equipment as to assist them in the
development of the first-hand experience required to achieve
maximization of future funds.
3. Production
Camera Techniques
At the core of
a good production is the ability to understand the camera
and the varying angles and techniques to enhance each scene.
The KidsTalk Foundation staff will instruct KidsTalk
scholars in the reliable and up-to-date ways of obtaining
high quality cinematic angles within the documentary film
industry. Within the scope of camera techniques, we strive
to include the following:
• Avoiding unnecessary movement of the camera such as rapid movement,
panning left or right, tilting up or down, and zooming in unless
absolutely necessary – emphasis is on the “gentle touch.”
• Changing of camera angles developed through a technique of gradual
movement rather than frequent secessions of rapid movement.
• Variations in camera focus techniques as well as the proper
utilization of various auto focusing techniques and methods.
Sound
The importance of sound should not be overlooked in the development of a
segment of film. As an essential component of the production, proper
sound ratios will ensure that background noise does not interfere with
the interviewer and/or person being interviewed. During the development
and instruction of this phase our program participants, the children,
are instructed in the proper relationship between sound and background
noise effects.
Various sound effects and arrangements are introduced in order to cover
the full dynamic range of sound development. Proper sound level
adjustments and settings are critical at this phase in the production.
That is why we provide education on various techniques such as setting
sound levels relatively low and amplifying them during editing, as well
as accounting for increased film noise associated with various
techniques. In some cases, recording sound separately in required to
ensure the complete clarity of the speech patterns in the final editing
stage of the training. While we are not proclaiming to provide complete
sound engineering training, we do provide our KidsTalk scholars the
knowledge necessary to make informed decisions as to their future career
paths and opportunities.
Lighting
In the production of our half-hour segments, lighting can often become a
factor in obtaining the most professional quality of production. Our
scholars are shown correct lighting techniques as well as proper
utilization of filters and various cell placements when needed. During
each segment, they are active participants in the establishment of
lighting and placement of key lighting instruments. Lighting is shown to
the scholars as a Very important aspect of filming.
Although in-studio lighting is the most common typed utilized for our
segments, KidsTalk staff provides our scholars with instruction in the
proper illumination of outdoor lighting as well. Our youth are exposed
to the following concepts as well as many others relative to the
complete understanding of lighting and related issues:
• Variations in soft (fill) lighting and hard (direct) lighting.
• Developing the correct balance between natural sunlight and artificial
lighting to produce the most quality effect.
• Proper utilization of reflectors, filters, and other lighting
equipment.
Interviewing
All of the KidsTalk segments are designed to show kids and teens that
their voice and opinions are meaningful and relevant in society. As
such, none of the guests are pre-interviewed and no segment is scripted.
While our segments focus on a variety of topics, the youth who actively
participate in each segment are encouraged to speak freely. This
includes issues such as suicide, depression, teen hot line access,
pregnancy, and other issues that students face every day of their lives.
The students provide insight on these different topics from their own
individual perspective. Interviewing skills are developed during the
program, encouraging our scholars to develop their own unique method of
interviewing.
Individuality is emphasized in the interview training. It has been our
experience that even the most introverted youth, who may not have a high
regard for their own self-esteem, have the ability to conduct in-depth
and personal interviews about topics they possess interest in. The
KidsTalk, Voices of Tomorrow gives our youth a voice in our current
society so that they will develop into the voices of reason for
tomorrow.
Each youth is allowed the opportunity to conduct in-depth interviews and
speak one-on-one with mentors in the field to help facilitate their
development and self-esteem.
4. Post-Production
Editing
Editing each segment is a core and critical part of the overall
development of each segment. The YTP program allows students to learn
the process of editing through the hands-on utilization of Avid editing
equipment. The editing equipment utilized for our training is the result
of a generous donation by the Avid Technology Company. Teens
participating in the program learn the advanced techniques of editing,
culminating with final collaborative efforts with KidsTalk Foundation
staff.
The Youth Training Program represents the long-term commitment of the
KidsTalk Foundation, Inc., and the support of our countless volunteers.
After completing the program and each of the individual components
mastered, KidsTalk scholars will possess the ability, knowledge, and
understanding to obtain either various levels of modern technology
employment in the field of media arts, computers, journalism, or
continue on to higher education in the attainment of an undergraduate
degree.
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