DAY TWO
SUNDAY, APRIL 10th
Session 1
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Graffiti Workshop: (Part I)
Vanessa Carlo; Melody Angelique Ortiz; Cope2
Part One of this workshop presents two youth-produced documentaries on graffiti. Watch interviews with graffiti legends and learn about the history of graffiti as an art form. Vanessa Carlo and Melody Ortiz, youth producers from the Educational Video Center, will present their documentary “Street Art: From the Can to the Canvas.” Get an inside look on graffiti through interviews with NYC youth and professional artists like Cope, Zimad and TATS Cru. You’ll also have a chance to talk with youth producers to find out more about documentary production and workshops available to high school students in NYC.
Freelance for Independent Media 101
Libero Della Piana, Racewire/Colorlines
There’s a compelling story to write and to be heard, but how can you get it published? This training tells all about writing successful pitches, how to get the right person to read your pitch, as well as how to make your story work for a specific publication. You can also meet other writers to form or join existing
freelance writing groups that can workshop your pieces. Learn about the incredible variety of independent print, radio or online publications that are willing to pay you for your words and publish them for all to read.
Meet the Funders
North Star Fund, New York Foundation, The Funding Exchange, The Astraea Lesbian Foundation
Have you ever wondered how to make wonderful ideas attractive to funders? How to integrate creative strategies into your already existing programming and still find the appropriate funding for it? Thought about organizing against the FCC? Or, what do funders look for when reviewing your proposal? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions, the Funders Panel is for you! The Funders Panel's goal is to provide participants with a closer interaction with representatives from prominent philanthropic institutions. Learn about what’s hot (and not) for funders; funding priorities, and ways to present your projects so they make it to the first, second and final round.
The Global Threat to the Independent Press
Yoro Jallow, The Independent, Gambia; Tala Dowlatshahi, Reporters without Borders; Muhammad Jehangir, News Pakistan; Juana Ponce de Leon (chair), Independent Press Association-New York
While independent media in the US means non-corporate, abroad "independent" often means not owned or controlled by the government. This panel will explore the challenges independent publications face abroad from governments unhappy with their very existence. Representatives of an independent newspaper recently firebombed in Gambia, Reporters without Borders and NY immigrant publications led by journalists challenged from operating freely in their home country will explore the worldwide
endangerment of free press, the role of US corporations in controlling the rising tide of internet journalism abroad and how journalists re-interpret and pursue a free press.
Hip Hop is Political, Everything is . . .
L. James, G.A.ME
This workshop offers information on the current strategies of Hip-Hop activists organizing the power of Hip- Hop culture while giving education on how government politics intersect with Hip-Hop culture. The workshop will speak on Hip-Hop's history of unionizing, artists' struggle w/radio, labels, & music groups. He will also address specific attempts in Hip-Hop trying to adopt legislation and legislation trying to limit Hip-Hop.
How to Run A Film Festival with Rooftop Films
An Introduction to Cinematic Storyboarding James Calinda and Angel Vega, Ghetto Film School
This workshop will address the art, craft, and application of storyboards in film production. The workshop will begin with a screening of work by the Workshop Leaders that will be supplemented and accompanied by their commentary, as a means of introducing participants to the principle concepts of storyboarding. The workshop will also feature an interactive multi-media session, and a screening of DVD special features featuring professional storyboard practices. At the conclusion of the workshop, there will be a question and answer session with participants addressing a host of questions and topics, ranging from diversity in filmmaking to the utilization of Photoshop, Flash, and After Effects in realizing your creative visions.
The Nuts and Bolts of Democracy Now: Production and Outreach
Jeremy Scahill, Denis Moynihan, and Danielle Feris, Democracy Now!
This workshop will present the nuts and bolts of how Democracy Now! is produced and what role it plays in the larger movement for independent media. At least one producer and a member of the DN! outreach team will lead a discussion focusing on how the content of the program is researched and developed, and the massive effort by DN! to work with grassroots supporters/organizers to promote DN! and independent media in general.
Get it On Line!
HarlemLive
This workshop will give you some tips on how to design a youth media website that will show all your work in the best light. The workshop will cover issues of design, presentation and maintenance. If you’ve ever been shy about using the internet to let others connect to your work, this workshop will help you be shy-free, and get the basic skills to break the myths of web design. Using the Internet Youth Publication HarlemLive as an example, participants will also hear from youth reporters the process that goes beyond using the internet as a youth empowerment tool.
A Screenprinting Workshop with Cannonball Press
We Are New York City: Grassroots Movement Building with Print Media
Amanda Hickman; William Etundi Jr.
In just six weeks a group of organizers and media makers produced a 16 page full color broadsheet entitled I Am New York City. During the RNC protests we had 25,000 copies on the streets, introducing New Yorkers and out-of-towners to the faces and stories of local grassroots organizers. We started from scratch, but you don't have to. We'll share what we learned about planning, writing, editing, designing and printing a broadsheet, from the nitty gritty of NYC printing houses to tools that
helped us collaborate and engage volunteers. If you have an idea for a piece you want to produce, bring it. Working in small groups, we will workshop
your ideas. Fellow participants will help you refine and realize your vision, and you might pick up some collaborators along the way. If you haven't got an idea of your own, don't let that stop you from joining us, though.
SUNDAY, APRIL 10th
Session 2
11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Accessing Government Information
Alyssa Katz; Xiaoqing Rong; Grace Cheung
It’s not news that journalists encounter obstacles when accessing government information, taking the form of red tape or a blatant withholding of information. And journalists with the culturally diverse press face even more challenges. In light of this, IPA-New York recently surveyed a sample of New York’s
culturally diverse journalists concerning their ease of access. This workshop will consider why government is so closed to ethnic journalists, while practically informing reporters and editors of the independent media about how they can utilize state and federal freedom of information laws—in advance of their stories going to press—to fulfill their duty to the public’s right to know.
Graffiti workshop (Part II) (Youth only)
Vanessa Carlo; Melody Angelique Ortiz; Cope2
Part Two of this workshop is hands-on. Learn drawing and lettering technique from legendary graffiti artist Cope2. Cope2 will present his work – his memorials, trains and throwups – and then he’ll give instructions to get you started on your own graffiti drawing project. *This workshop is limited to 12 participants.
Censorship and Racism in the Media
Wise Intelligent; Bob Law; Usavior; Nana Soul; Abiodun Oyewole
White-corporate-mainstream media is engaging in a deadly form of censorship that excludes people of color by refusing to broadcast our true voices and images, restricting and regulating our access to radio, television and print. How can we give a worldwide voice to our stories, a global view to our images and struggles? Grassroots activists, media professionals and concerned citizens discuss strategies
and alternatives.
History of Radical Media in New York City
DeeDee Halleck, Deep Dish TV; Arun Gupta, Indypendent; Chris Anderson, NYC Indymedia
Different aspects of New York City’s rich radical media history will be discussed by local mediamakers and activists. This panel will highlight key moments and influences in the history of New York City’s radical media.
Policy for the People: Threats and Opportunities for Community Media and Internet in NY
Aliza Dichter; Karen Helmerson; Branda Miller; Steve Pierce; Nan Rubin
Calling all media reformers, public access producers, community organizers, wireless internet users, and anyone who believes that all people have the right to communicate, to make media, to have access and training and affordable internet. OUR NETWORKS AND CHANNELS ARE UNDER ATTACK! Did you know that new rules at the New York State Public Service Commission could kill public access cable in NY? Are you concerned about the federal and state crackdown on community wireless and the
implications for low-income communities, people of color, immigrants, youth and seniors? Have you heard the strange but true story of policy advocacy and community organizing for media and technology in Troy, NY? Do you want to know about the opportunities and challenges for getting funding for media reform and advocacy? Come join the discussion, learn about the issues and help create a coalition and
plan for action.
Out-of-Control Copyright
David Alpert; Howard Besser; Orion Montoya
We live in era where blogs, peer-to-peer filesharing and desktop film production allow individuals to gain a wide audience more easily than ever before. But certain powerful media companies threatened by these developments are lobbying Congress and using the legal system to extend their monopolies and make it more difficult for citizens to participate in the creative process. Measures that purport to simply
extend copyright to online media also make it illegal or impossible for grassroots media producers to use images and clips even in ways that were legal 5, 10, or 200 years ago. This panel will discuss: the history of copyright and recent
developments that are driving it out of control; concrete ways these restrictions are impeding media producers today; and what we can do to fight the copyright landgrab - whether through creative civil disobedience, individual political action, or through collaborative contribution to the Creative Commons.
Radicalizing the Familiar: Props for Action (Part I)
Ian Hart, Jason Jones, and Beka Economopoulos; Not An Alternative
This 3 hour workshop will serve as a toolkit for individuals and organizing groups who are interested in guiding the media’s obsession with spectacle toward telling a story that you would like viewers to experience. A focus on theatrical processes and prop building will expose participants to a strategy that treats symbols, stories and events as vehicles whose meanings are available for hijacking. Familiarize
yourself with advanced cardboard sculpture building techniques as practical application of a theatrical process called “intervention”. Enter Not An Alternative’s “Radicalizing the Familiar: Props for Action”
and leave with the realization that the material you need to change the world is not only available but is
right in front of you.
Stayin' Alive: How Zines and Indy Mags Stay Afloat
Mandy Van Deven, Altar Magazine; Kpoene Kofi-Bruce; Rose Malfucci and Hanna Jones, dirtypop
If you've ever run a zine or magazine you know how much work goes into it. Come network with other zine/small magazine makers to swap secrets, get advice, and ask all the questions you've been wanting to ask like: What exactly does a distributor do? How can I get (and keep) advertisers? Why is my printer asking if I'm bleeding? How can these other magazines afford the gloss and color when I'm on b&w newsprint? We're all in the same boat here, and I think it's time we teach each other how to swim. Everyone is welcome!
Superhero Storyboards (Part I) (Youth only)
Kim Hall and Chrystian Rodriguez, Global Action Project
A storyboarding workshop geared toward youth who love to draw and are particularly inspired by comic books. By looking at examples of comic books that were transformed into storyboards, and storyboards that were then turned into films, we will sketch the adventures of our ideal superheros paying special attention to cinematic details such as size, angle, movement and color. Each participant will leave with their own storyboard and a blueprint for his or her next video. This workshop is limited to 15 participants.
Lunch
(Free lunch for youth 21 and under available in youth lounge)
Sunday, April 10th
Session 3
2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Accessing Government Information
Alyssa Katz; Xiaoqing Rong; Grace Cheung;
It’s not news that journalists encounter obstacles when accessing government information, taking the form of red tape or a blatant withholding of information. And journalists with the culturally diverse press face even more challenges. In light of this, IPA-New York recently surveyed a sample of New York’s culturally diverse journalists concerning their ease of access. This workshop will consider why
government is so closed to ethnic journalists, while practically informing reporters and editors of the independent media about how they can utilize state and federal freedom of information laws—in advance of their stories going to press—to fulfill their duty to the public’s right to know.
Billboards for People: Using Murals in Organizing
Amy Sananman, Groundswell
Private businesses sell products to your community through advertising, why shouldn't you sell your message? This workshop will give an overview of different ways murals have been used historically and today to empower communities and give marginalized people an opportunity to speak out. We will explore ways grassroots groups can use murals in their work.
Fact Checking and Research Skills for Independent Journalists
Emily Drabinski and Jenna Freedman, Radical Reference
Members of Radical Reference, a collective of radical library workers, will teach attendees the basics of fact-checking, provide guidance on evaluating web resources, and give a few librarianly tips on advanced research technniques.
Patriarchy is Malarkey: Questioning Gender Roles Through Visual Media: A Youth Workshop
Alina Ortiz, Rebecca Norton and Jen Meagher, EVC; New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault
Outreach and education staff from the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault and youth producers from the Educational Video Center will collaborate on a workshop for youth on using visual media to creatively express opinions and/or experiences with sexual and domestic violence, gender equity, gender stereotypes and media analysis. Each organization will present recent work using visual media as an education tool. The Alliance will present their poster campaign aimed at 11-13 year old boys. The
Educational Video Center will present their video “Patriarchy Is Malarkey!” Next we’ll divide into groups and dive into a hands-on activity using visual media (video, photography and drawing) to explore themes around gender and violence raised through the presentations.
LOVE, LABOR, LOSS - A Film-based Campaign to Improve Global Women's Health
Lisa Russell, Carrie Svingen
LOVE, LABOR, LOSS is a documentary film and community organizing campaign that uses the power of video and social communications to increase awareness, funding and influence legislation on obstetric fistula – a relatively unknown yet prevalent childbearing injury affecting over 2 million women in the developing world. The workshop will provide an example of how independent mediamakers can tap into
the needs of the non-profit world and working with them to bring health and development issues to mainstream America. The producers will outline the project's production and distribution strategy which allowed them to raise funds, collaborate with musicians and artists, and produce an advocacy video which will be screened at college campuses and community groups across the U.S.
Owning Our Own: Creating People's Media and Rejecting Corporate Systems presented by R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop DJ
Kuttin Kandi; Karen Suarez, Vanguard High School; Jay Smooth, WBAI, The Underground Railroad R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop will host a presentation and open discussion for the grassroots media community to hear from hip-hop practitioners, activists, >and indy media makers about the coalition's goals for media reform and reclaimation of hip-hop culture from greedy corporate media-owners and their misrepresentation and degradation of the communities they claim to serve. We will highlight recent
coalition accomplishments, such as the March 4th rally against Hot 97 and their parent company Emmis Communications, as well as how independent media can play a role in our efforts against corporately owned media. DISCUSS and VOICE YOUR OPINION on ways you can get involved in this grassroots effort to REGAIN POWER of our culture and HELP SHAPE the future of the hip-hop generation.
Radicalizing the Familiar: Props for Action (Part II),
See description in previous session.
Radio Lab with free103point9
Superhero Storyboards (Part II) (Youth only)
See description in previous session.
Zine Reading Showcase
This workshop will be an open space to showcase the local written word. Please bring a short story from your zine, newsletter or school newspaper to join in the reading and meet other local zinesters.
Screenings:
Media That Matters Film Festival
New York Highlights from the Media That Matters FIlm Festival MediaRights' annual Media That Matters Film Festival brings high-impact shorts and take action tools to audiences around the country all year long through web streaming, broadcasts, DVD distribution and community screenings. Join us for this special screening of festival films by New York-based producers:
The Sixth Section, 8 min., Social Documentary Alex Rivera, Producer/Director, Bernardo Ruiz, Co-Producer Sometimes the “American Dream” is realized on foreign soil. During the cold winters of upstate New York, a group of immigrants work together to givea baseball field, an ambulance and whatever else they can manage to their hometown of Boqueron, Mexico.
Winner of the American Dream Award Sponsored by NetFlix
Spring in Awe, 4 min., Experimental Short Martina Radwan, Producer/Director The overpowering displays of Times Square put a spell on the world in a disturbing lullaby of global capitalism.
Winner of the Media Awareness Award Sponsored by the Association of Independent Video
and Filmmakers
POPaganda: The Art & Subversion of Ron English, 8:24 min., Video Portrait Pedro Carvajal, Producer/Director A modern-day Robin Hood of Madison Avenue, artist and satirist Ron English reclaims corporate
billboards with uncanny canvases that force the man on the street to look twice_or maybe three times. Winner of the Media Literacy Award
iThemba, 5:19 min., Documentary Short Keefe Murren and Nelson Walker III, Co-Producers/Co-Directors, Lynn True, Editor/Co-Director Through the mesmerizing melding of their voices, the Sinikithemba Choir turns stage into soapbox,
singing and speaking for the 5 million HIV+ South Africans in desperate need of medication and support. Winner of the Health Advocacy Award
Sunday, April 10th
Closing Forum
4:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.