Press Release



		FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Voice Films to Launch Los Angeles Youth Film Forum this Summer Focus on Learning, Sharing and Collaborating for Youth Ages 14-18 With Professional Advisors, Film School Graduates and Film Companies LOS ANGELES, CA -- April 12, 2004 -- Voice Films Institute today announced a film Forum focused on learning, sharing and collaborating designed specifically for youth ages 14-18. The Forum will be offered in Los Angeles with Culver High School’s Academy of Visual and Performing Arts and will involve young directors, producers, actors, musicians and animators of all levels. A core feature of the Forum will be a full production set. Working with professional directors and actors, two filmmaking teams will rework scenes from their recently produced films in Los Angeles. Through the process, the teams and attendees will learn about the craft of filmmaking - how directors, cinematographers, actors, producers and crew work together to get the desired result from the script. “We’ve just finished producing a film where a young woman from our program directed professional actors and students performed all of the production activities, said Jim Knight, head of Culver High’s film program. “Our entire production team will get a chance to learn from a professional director how artists must work with producers to make the best film possible. It’s all about working together.” The Forum will offer additional workshops during which actors, directors, writers and producers work together to demonstrate and reinforce learning principles. “The unique format involves teams of people learning how collaboration can lead to a better script, performance and ultimately a better film,” said Brad King, cofounders and president of Voice Films Institute. “Seasoned professionals will engage, challenge and inspire young artists while applying positive youth development principles in our directing, acting, producing and writing workshops.” An innovative collaborative session will involve young filmmakers and writers pitching their films and stories. Youth attending the Forum will get an opportunity to hear the pitches, ask questions, offer suggestions and potentially share their unique “gifts” by collaborating on future productions. “We will encourage Voice participants to share resources and knowledge towards the common good of making a film: by taking pride in the value of their contributions to others and defining success by what they give rather than what they take”, said Norm Wada, cofounder and executive director of Voice Films. The forum will close with local college and professional film school representatives describing their film programs. Software, computer and motion picture equipment companies will also demonstrate their latest products. “I’ll be there to learn and teach,” said 17 year old Sophie Shepard, a film director at Culver High who will be attending NYU’s filmmaking program this fall. “I get the best of both worlds at the Forum.” About Voice Films Institute Voice Films works exclusively with young filmmakers, ages 14 to 20, to share their voices through film and develop their capacity to express an authentic voice. Voice Films integrates the principles of Positive Youth Development into its forums, productions and nationwide collaborations. For more information about Voice Films, visit www.voicefilms.com. ###		Press Contacts: Brad King Voice Films Institute bking@voicefilms.com Norm Wada Voice Films Institute nwada@voicefilms.com