(no subject)
I have another documentary showing in the East Lansing Film Fesival on March 26 at 4:30 p.m. if anyone is interested in attending (Zoo Mantra).
So the making of this documentary was more than just a film project - another Megan and myself wanted to use the finished product as a tool to increase awareness of the hip-hop community in a relatively beige city. Our objective? To show hip-hop as a positive influence on youth development, as well as a legitimate art form. We canvassed local youth centers and art councils, giving out information and free dvds, and there's currently a non-profit youth-based organization forming in direct response to our documentary. Pretty cool. The following is the basic explanation we attached to every dvd we handed out:
"To the Kalamazoo Community:
As part of the Kalamazoo College senior graduation requirement, we have produced a documentary featuring several local hip-hop groups, local hip-hop educators, community leaders, and Kalamazoo city youth and residents. Through their interviews and footage, the documentary explores hip-hop’s role in Kalamazoo as both a unifier and divider in the city’s community.
In our previous experiences working with the youth of Kalamazoo, we have seen the positive influences of several youth organizations in the area. However, we have also encountered frustration with the lack of artistic expression for youth. Because Kalamazoo is such a unique mixture of demographics, there is an incredible potential to collaborate and cultivate a vibrant ‘cool city’. However, even with Kalamazoo’s inviting location halfway between Chicago and Detroit, too often we hear that ‘there’s nothing to do in Kalamazoo.’
We chose local hip-hop culture as the central focus of our documentary because we see music as the strongest means of dialogue in Kalamazoo. College students dance to it; Kalamazoo youth emulate it; and local musicians perform it. In addition to the universality of music, hip-hop in particular is rich with the socio-political commentary that we feel should be fostered between the city and its youth.
We understand that there is already a strong, collaborative art community in Kalamazoo, but we also feel that not enough attention is paid to the younger generation. Hip-hop culture is too often feared and marginalized and not given the recognition it deserves. Kalamazoo youth should be given a creative niche in the community where they can feel appreciated for their passion rather than resented.
Through our documentary, we hope to provide a voice for the youth of Kalamazoo and open the community’s eyes to the importance of hip-hop to this city. We want to foster communication between local artists, college students, community leaders, youth, and city residents in hopes that a greater understanding between Kalamazoo’s diverse population can be achieved.
We have shown our documentary on college campuses, public schools, art functions, and hope to continue with as many other venues as possible. We want to draw students off campus, bring residents to campus, and break down the boundaries between various demographics in Kalamazoo. Hip-hop artists in Kalamazoo are already teaming up in collaborative events, and Kalamazoo College has based a service-learning course on the principles highlighted in our documentary. The change we see already is amazing, and we hope this is only the beginning.
Please accept this complimentary copy of our forty-minute documentary and use it whatever way you see fit: have your own showing; lend it out; let it change your life. It certainly has ours."
So, yeah. Ineloquently: race, sociology, community, music, and art. We got a lot of criticism in the beginning (from both the artists and city council-types), but the final documentary seems to be well received. Plus I have a box of fifty or so surplus dvds sitting beside my desk, in case anybody knows of a teacher or youth leader who could benefit from one.
And while I'm on the self-promoting kick, the very second I get a job/find a house/have ten minutes to throw one together, you better believe I'm going to throw the most classy and elaborate party you've ever attended.
So the making of this documentary was more than just a film project - another Megan and myself wanted to use the finished product as a tool to increase awareness of the hip-hop community in a relatively beige city. Our objective? To show hip-hop as a positive influence on youth development, as well as a legitimate art form. We canvassed local youth centers and art councils, giving out information and free dvds, and there's currently a non-profit youth-based organization forming in direct response to our documentary. Pretty cool. The following is the basic explanation we attached to every dvd we handed out:
"To the Kalamazoo Community:
As part of the Kalamazoo College senior graduation requirement, we have produced a documentary featuring several local hip-hop groups, local hip-hop educators, community leaders, and Kalamazoo city youth and residents. Through their interviews and footage, the documentary explores hip-hop’s role in Kalamazoo as both a unifier and divider in the city’s community.
In our previous experiences working with the youth of Kalamazoo, we have seen the positive influences of several youth organizations in the area. However, we have also encountered frustration with the lack of artistic expression for youth. Because Kalamazoo is such a unique mixture of demographics, there is an incredible potential to collaborate and cultivate a vibrant ‘cool city’. However, even with Kalamazoo’s inviting location halfway between Chicago and Detroit, too often we hear that ‘there’s nothing to do in Kalamazoo.’
We chose local hip-hop culture as the central focus of our documentary because we see music as the strongest means of dialogue in Kalamazoo. College students dance to it; Kalamazoo youth emulate it; and local musicians perform it. In addition to the universality of music, hip-hop in particular is rich with the socio-political commentary that we feel should be fostered between the city and its youth.
We understand that there is already a strong, collaborative art community in Kalamazoo, but we also feel that not enough attention is paid to the younger generation. Hip-hop culture is too often feared and marginalized and not given the recognition it deserves. Kalamazoo youth should be given a creative niche in the community where they can feel appreciated for their passion rather than resented.
Through our documentary, we hope to provide a voice for the youth of Kalamazoo and open the community’s eyes to the importance of hip-hop to this city. We want to foster communication between local artists, college students, community leaders, youth, and city residents in hopes that a greater understanding between Kalamazoo’s diverse population can be achieved.
We have shown our documentary on college campuses, public schools, art functions, and hope to continue with as many other venues as possible. We want to draw students off campus, bring residents to campus, and break down the boundaries between various demographics in Kalamazoo. Hip-hop artists in Kalamazoo are already teaming up in collaborative events, and Kalamazoo College has based a service-learning course on the principles highlighted in our documentary. The change we see already is amazing, and we hope this is only the beginning.
Please accept this complimentary copy of our forty-minute documentary and use it whatever way you see fit: have your own showing; lend it out; let it change your life. It certainly has ours."
So, yeah. Ineloquently: race, sociology, community, music, and art. We got a lot of criticism in the beginning (from both the artists and city council-types), but the final documentary seems to be well received. Plus I have a box of fifty or so surplus dvds sitting beside my desk, in case anybody knows of a teacher or youth leader who could benefit from one.
And while I'm on the self-promoting kick, the very second I get a job/find a house/have ten minutes to throw one together, you better believe I'm going to throw the most classy and elaborate party you've ever attended.