Girls in the game

Working with the summer program Girls in the Game has been an amazing adventure. I have really enjoyed meeting all the girls in the group, and also the leaders Coach Jenny and Coach Lauren. While I was there I have learn a lot from this program. Some of the things I have learn is inner and outer beauty. The thing about inner and outer beauty is that when someone ask you what make a girl beautiful? Someone would answer her eyes, nose , or even her smile. That would be her outer beauty, but her inner beauty would be something like she is very positive. She is an outgoing person. That is one of the MANY things that I have learned. In this program the girls do a lot of exercise, but at the same time have fun with it. They do a lot of running, jumping jacks, and my favorite toe-touching.



There were times I was there when we went on field trips. One of my favorite field trip is going to an elementary by the brown line Kimball station. We went there as a leaders of the younger girls. We did many workshops, and played games with them. The game that they really seemed to like the most is the flag grab game. They had to go around and get as many flags off people as they can. If your flag was pulled you had to do 10 jumping jacks. They loved it so much that they didn't even want us to leave them. This week was very nice and exciting. I had a real nice time with this summer program. I encourage other teenage girls to join this program. Girls in the Game you are doing a great job, and keep up the good work!

Announcing our Reel Talent Productions summer interns!

They applied, they were interviewed, and they conquered! We’re happy to announce the 3 budding filmmakers who’ll be going through an intense 8 weeks working on their own documentary about health and fitness in their communities.

Melissa Young, Marquita Fisher and Alicia Ward

We’re kicking off the first week with an immersive learning experience by sending our interns to participate in the Girls In The Game Summer Squad, where they’ll be playing sports, going on field trips and learning about issues around Sports and the Media.

Keep a lookout for the girls’ updates and reflections on their filmmaking journeys every week right here!

Much love and gratitude goes out to my amazing team for leading this with me. Jonathan, Jane and I are going to work our butts off to make this as memorable and fulfilling of an internship for the girls as possible. :)

Stepping Up To The Challenge

Today we celebrated the end of another successful year at Cabrini Connections. In front of over 250 people, Reel Talent Productions got to showcase our work. We screened 3 pieces that bookended the year pretty nicely - 2 fun music videos we made last summer, and 1 more serious Public Service Announcement video we'd finished just days before.

Many props to my fellow club leader Drew, regular teacher Jane and the staff of Cabrini Connections for the success of the last year. The journey wasn't always smooth-sailing, and we hit a few challenges along the way, but that's precisely why the experience was so valuable for us all. To everyone who's supported the members of Reel Talent Productions along the way, thank you for understanding the value and importance of the media's role in society today. This was an outlet for our teens to express their views and creativity, and to share it with the world.

Here's to more good times ahead. Our Summer Internship Program is coming up. Leave a comment below if you'd like more details.

I'll leave you now with the newest creation by Reel Talent Productions. Congrats to Melissa Young and Ana Tate for stepping up and taking the lead on this one.

Special Guests Visit Video & Filmmakers Club!

This week, two special guests came to speak to the students of Video and Filmmakers Club. The filmmakers Ronit Bezalel and Mark Pratt, talked to the club members about their films, Voices of Cabrini and Cabrini Green: Mixing it UP.

After introductions, Mark and Ronit showed a clip from one of their films depicting students from Jenner Elementary School asking Mayor Richard M. Daley and Alderman Walter Burnett pointed questions about the demolition of the Cabrini Green houses. As one student in the film asked of the Mayor, “If you grew up in Cabrini Green would you want them to take your memories?”

After showing the film clip, Mark and Ronit led a discussion amongst the club members. The students expressed mixed feelings about what Daley said in the film and about displacement, public housing, and the pros and cons of the Cabrini Green demolition.

Mark, a former Cabrini Green resident and father, talked about what an emotional journey it has been watching the demolition process from the beginning through the end.He offered the students a history of Cabrini Green, discussing how its first residents were immigrants and it was an integrated development. He asserted that it was only during the recession in the 1980s that the housing project became a place of crime and gang activity.

The speakers also emphasized the importance of education in general. Mark encouraged Cabrini Connections students: “Find like-minded individuals.” He and Ronit urged students to surround themselves with people who share their values and also want to pursue education.

Finally, Mark and Ronit spoke about what an exciting time it is to be a filmmaker. As they discussed, when they first started making films they had to search for festivals and opportunities to showcase their work. Now, films can easily be shown to people all over the world through online platforms like Vimeo and YouTube. In addition, technology and software is cheaper for film editing.

All in all, the session was a great opportunity for students to catch a firsthand glimpse of the power of film to tell stories, ignite conversation, and empower people to take a stand.

2011 off to a fine start...

Yes, it's been awhile... but it's only because things are busy and brewing here at Reel Talent Productions. 2010 was a great year for us, with completed projects about everything from short stories to music videos to spec commercials under our belt. We're excited and hungry for more great projects ahead.

Moving forward, we're turning the spotlight to non-fiction filmmaking and focusing on real issues, real people. With discussions about what our community's most urgent needs are, we will be working to raise awareness about them through the power of video. Reel Talent Productions will be creating two Public Service Announcements and working to get the important messages out.

But this production will not come easy. Our students currently have to share 1 camera among almost 10 of us. When it comes to post-production, the mere two laptops we have means that the other students have to miss out on in-depth, hands-on learning. With only 90 minutes to work together each week, not everybody gets a chance to spend time working with the equipment. We are thankful that the Fish Foundation's grant last year enabled us to go from absolutely nothing to this... but our supply is still unable to meet with the demand. We will be able to raise our productivity by 2 or 3 times if we had more equipment to work with. We learn a lot more by doing, not by watching someone else do it while crowding around one computer with 4 others.

First-hand experience with technology is tremendously important for our young ones. We know that nothing comes for free, but we're determined to work for it. That's why we're kicking off the new year with our next project - Fundraising Videos. Meet our talented and smart young filmmakers, get to know what we do, and see for yourself how our students gain valuable skills applicable to life in Reel Talent Productions.

Keep your eyes peeled for them come this Feb!

Happy Holidays from Cabrini Connections!

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Club Leader Shuling Spotlighted

Get to know club leader Shuling a little better: here.