Youth Uses Online Animation Platform to Tell Story

DAVIE, FL. -  Thirteen-year-old Anthony Conley is one of many digitally connected youth using free web-based multi-platform programs, like Pivot, to tell stories through animation. Online consumer-based animation programs are on the rise for youth populations, a demographic group of which 93% use the Internet (91% boys; 87% 'Black'). Pivot is relatively easy to install and use on PC operating systems (Stykz is its sister program for Macintosh operating systems). Pivot and Stykz may have positive implications for educators who are thinking about engaging ways to incorporate basic animation and design methods into the classroom. Media Make Change has made Pivot and Stykz part of the Beyond the Bricks curriculum in order to broaden the ways in which community producers can create and tell stories using digital media. Check out the interview below as Anthony talks about using Pivot.

In your own words, what is Pivot?

Pivot is an animation program that expresses who you are, like for me, if you're someone who likes Dragon Ball Z [an Japanese animated manga series].

Why do you use Pivot?

I have a very creative mind so Pivot allows me to convert my creative ideas into an animation.

What are your favorite objects or stories to create using Pivot?

Well, I usually create my own versions of Naruto and Dragon ball Z, but anything goes with me.

How does Pivot help you illustrate & tell a story?

Each scene brings new ideas. A scene could start off with a guy drinking coffee and then he might end up seeing something going on outside his window. [Pivot] brings a wide range of ideas into play.

Would you recommend Pivot to anyone?

Yes and no. I say no because it takes time and effort. You can get frustrated easily because the animation doesn't come out the way you think it should.

Do you plan on doing anything with animation or graphic design in college or as a career?

Maybe, I'm really good at it!

What other animation software do you create with?

I'm starting to use flash animation, but the rest are too complicated.

Do you create using other software technology besides animation? If so, can you list and describe them?

I use this program called Google SketchUp. It's like making a blue print for something you want to build. It's self-explanatory really. Lol.

Here's an advanced video example of Pivot animation:

Special thanks to Anthony Conley for being interviewed for this article.

Media Make Change Partners with Beyond the Bricks Project!

We are excited to announce that Media Make Change has partnered up with the Beyond the Bricks Project to create a dynamic media literacy curriculum for the Community Producers Program (CPP)! The CPP curriculum will be be comprised of a 4-month media literacy program that serves young African-American men and boys in urban cities around the United States, including Harlem, Newark, Baltimore, and other cities to be added soon. The goal of the curriculum is to build life skills & self efficacy, and to engage in community advocacy by countering negative images of black males through multimedia and film analysis and production.

The project is inspired by the Beyond the Bricks film, a 2009 documentary that follows African-American students Shaquiel Ingram and Erick Graham as they struggle to stay on track in the Newark, NJ public school system (IMDB). Some key features in the documentary include the Reverend Al Sharpton of the National Action Network, John H. Jackson, president of the Schott Foundation, and Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Cory Booker.

Trailer

The Community Producers Program will begin in January 2012 with the official curriculum set to be completed by early fall of 2011. Stay with us at Media Make Change for more updates about the curriculum and the Community Producers Program with the Beyond the Bricks Project

For more information about the Beyond the Bricks project, please visit http://www.beyondthebricksproject.com/

For more information on how to donate media equipment or funds, and to partner with Media Make Change (no longer a non-profit entity but a start-up LLC), please email tara (at) mediamakechange (dot) org.

Media Make Change Wants to Partner with YOU!

Media Make Change is currently seeking to partner with community and non-profit organizations to provide media literacy and technology training services to underserved and youth communities. Some of the key highlights of our curriculum include:

• Social Media for Social Justice (See past workshop outline for Allied Media Conference).
• Media Literacy Training based on media education scholarship from Teachers College, Columbia University and Temple University.
• Video and Film Production lead by documentary media maker and founder of Media Make Change, tara l. conley. See more of conley's work on Vimeo.
• Photography lead by local photographers and artists in the NYC metro area.
• Computer Literacy Training lead by founder tara l. conley whose work experience with child and adult learners spans over several years.

Media Make Change wants to build a culture of learning through media and technology. As we transition into a new season Media Make Change will focus on partnering with organizations that believe media are effective tools for advocacy, creativity, and learning.

If you are an organization seeking to expand your services and outreach to the community through media and technology, please contact us at tara (at) mediamakechange (dot) org.

See more of our work at Media Speaks!

Story Melodies Vol. 2: A Tale of Two Cities

Story Melodies Vol. 2: A Tale of Two Cities is the next installment of Story Melodies from tara l. conley and marks the beginning of the next phase of documenting the life and times of New Orleans and survivors of hurricane Katrina. This project will develop into a significant piece of social commentary that takes a critical look at a city filled with so much culture and history yet still remains in turmoil after the levees broke.

Story Melodies are short vignettes produced by tara l. conley that incorporate musical and visual elements about stories of the everyday. Story melodies present social commentary by thoughtfully interweaving audio and visual elements with the unique stylistics of documentary maker tara l. conley. Some Story Melodies are complete in their final form, others may be transformed into a larger and more expansive films for mass public view. For tara, stories are melodies in the key of life.

To view more Story Melodies from tara l. conley please visit our Vimeo page.

All photography by tara l. conley

Aesthetics of the Everyday Through Tatiyana's Eyes

Tatiyana is a freshman in high school with a unique eye for capturing the experiences of youth. From schooling, to friendship, to love, to simply hanging out, Tatiyana brings these special moments into focus through precision and depth. Here is her story of the everyday.

My Gangsters

Anna Marie and Joey were playfully flashing their jackets when I saw that my camera naturally lit up the hallways so that everything in it stood out. I told them to go down the hall a little more and flash the people up ahead ! Anna Marie suggested that I take the picture with Joey too (: This reminds me of teenagers for sure -- always doing crazy, random things.

My Journalism Class

This is my most favorite picture. It really shows the personalities of my friends and how different they are. Savannah (second girl pictured from the right) has a really cool look on her face that gives away so much emotion! And Joey (right next to her) looks sly and charming. And of course Anna Marie, who always has a smile on her face.(:

Lemons

I took this during jounaslism. The yellow in this picture is just for Anna Marie because it's her favorite color; I decided to just get on the ground and take a random picture and she got right on the ground with me! When I see this picture, I think of happiness lemons! Haha (:

Together

Anna Marie and Elijah, two people who are an absolute mess ! This is the very first day they were going out. I took this picture only because I wanted to capture the very first moments of a blossoming relationship.(:

Fort Bliss Comic Book

If Fort Bliss were a comic book, I know that this is what it would look like. I took this while my sister Zoe was playing soccer on the parade field. Originally, there was a golden sunset, but when I played with the tones and hues, I found that this picture looks even more magical than a normal sunset picture ! (: