A few films for thought...

Keith Hughes, a social studies teacher at McKinley High School and adjunct professor at UB, shared this film one of his grad students made. It is a humorous look at the differences between Buffalo and Cleveland. If you have time check it out.




On a similar note, if you have a few minutes, my father made a two part movie about the family dog. My dad is in no way affiliated with the WNYWP, but I thought his film was pretty touching. Blitzer is about 12 years old and, unfortunately, quickly approaching death. He's blind and can't run as fast anymore, so my dad brought the video camera along for a walk around Cazenovia Golf Course. It's a walk they've done 2-3 times a week since Blitzer was a puppy, and my father narrates his walk with stories of their time together. It's sad and cathartic and, essentially, the reason we all write. So, if you have a chance, go on over and take a look. The films should be the two most recent posts titled "Caz Park" and "Part Deux Caz Park."

Know Any Young (Student?) Filmmakers?

This via email:

Film Your Issue Global Competition
High School and College Students Invited to Create Short Films for FYI -

USA Today, the United Nations, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and
other organizations and media leaders have joined forces to engage young
adults (14-24) in contributing to the public dialogue on pressing social
issues using the power of the Internet and user-generated content.

In its 4th year, FYI - Film Your Issue has grown into a global
Internet-based competition that invites high school and college students in
the United States and around the world to express themselves on pressing
contemporary issues by creating and uploading short two-minute films on
issues that impact them and their generation.

Beginning February 15, films can be uploaded to multiple participating
platforms, including MTV, YouTube, and American Film Institute Screen
Nation, as well as promoted on MySpace TV.

Awards and prizes include internships at USA Today, the United Nations, the
award-winning PBS Series "P.O.V.", and the Humane Society of the United
States; a $5,000 college scholarship from the Gates Foundation; having your
film broadcast on Starz; having entries distributed by the Associated Press
to its 1,800 Online Video Network media outlets; being profiled on MTV News
and presented at the NAACP annual conference; VIP Pass/film presentation at
AFI Silverdocs; the Walter Cronkite Civic Engagement Leadership Award and
Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award; and many more.

Visit the program's Web site for complete program information, filmmaking
tips, and full descriptions of the program's awards and prizes.