Listen to what these teens have to say about climate change, watch our interview with youth climate activist Greta Thunberg, and check out our new series featuring several pieces focusing on climate solvers in local communities. 🔍
In this Issue
SRL launches new series: 2020 IN FOCUS
Special unit: Making Sense of Coronavirus
SRL + Video Consortium: "Art of the Remote Interview"
What we're reading
Youth vote data tool from CIRCLE
Monthly tech tip
Youth & educator opportunities
SRL's New Series: 2020 IN FOCUS
Throughout April and May, SRL will publish student-produced content across platforms from the 2019-2020 academic year on climate change, education and mental health. From the impact of extreme weather on local farmers in Texas to troubled teens finding stability through music in Maryland, SRL received dozens of pieces highlighting local stories about national issues. Lookout on our social media channels for the latest, includingYouTube!
WATCH: 2020 IN FOCUS SERIES LAUNCH
Coronavirus Special Unit
SRL createda special distance learning unitthat covers the basics of local community journalism, storytelling, scripting, and video editing. These are tough times for everyone, and your stories will add a uniquely-critical perspective to coronavirus coverage.
What's included:
Lesson plans
Webinars
Office Hours Sign-up (every work day 11am-12pm ET)
Recent Videos Produced: See how students are covering the impact of COVID-19
SRL + Video Consortium Host "Art of the Remote Interview" Webinar
Earlier this month, SRL + the Video Consortium hosted a webinar on how to conduct remote interviews and best practices for achieving high quality productions in isolation. Take a look here:
We are delighted to announce the 2020 class of SRL Student Academy fellows! 30 extraordinary students from different areas of the country met together virtually this week. They will work in groups with the SRL team to perfect and refine their video production skills and will focus on new topics to cap the year. Stay tuned for their project releases!
Our friends at CIRCLE have released a Youth Vote Data Tool, which contains youth voting data and categorizes different pieces in 40 categories. We invite you to check it out and share with your students, as we approach November 3.
CIRCLE is a research center housed by Tufts University in Boston. CIRCLE researches youth voting trends and analyzes youth voter turnout and youth sentiment regarding elections.
Windows are great. Let the light in! Always make sure they’re your friend and not your foe when you’re filming. Shooting an interview indoors? Don’t put your subject in front of that window—it will make them look like a dark shadow. You and your camera should be between the window and your interview subject. That way, you’re using the window’s light to illuminate the person you’re filming. Of course, if you have extra lights, or a lighting kit, that helps too. Check out SRL’s Level Up video, “Been There Lit That” for more tips.
This edition is brought to you by SRL Youth Media Producer Marie Cusick, who oversees schools in California and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S.
ABOUT TECH TIPS:
Every month, the SRL team will highlight a particular aspect of video production to help you produce you best work.
Sign up HERE for monthly PBS election resources. Extra will send you updates with lesson plans and current events for middle and high school students.
News Assistant Opening for the PBS NewsHour
Join the PBS NewsHour family! Based in Arlington, VA, this job is officially housed under WETA, one of Washington D.C.'s local PBS stations, which produces the PBS NewsHour. More info here.
Connect with Senior Citizens for Chance at Scholarship
Do Something mobilizes young people across the country to perform acts of kindess. More info here.
