Expanding Horizons is a youth based educational film making program, The project, the brain child of Land Mind Productions owner and president John Foote was conceived in 2001 through the teaming up of Land Mind Productions Inc. with Christie Van Aken Social Services Coordinator for the Housing Authority of Jackson County with the assistance of Tom Cole, executive director of Kids Unlimited.
Expanding Horizons originally designed to give disadvantaged or potentially "at-risk" youths, whose families are involved in local HUD sponsored programs, the opportunity to participate and take an active roll in film and video work experience projects geared toward creating specially targeted Public Service Announcements encouraging reinvestment and neighborhood improvement within the community. Specifically, this can be accomplished through cooperative community clean-up efforts and beautification projects. The PSA's created and produced by the kids themselves, would assist in fostering pride and self-motivation in taking responsibility for creating cleaner and safer neighborhoods, as well as providing participants with marketable work experience in the entertainment and communications media fields.
Due to a lack of funding after a 5 year hiatus Land Mind Productions Inc. announces the reemergence of the E.H. Program for the summer of 2009. Land Mind Productions will open this program up to all children of the Rogue Valley. Certain age limits will be in place, The full curriculum will be released Spring of 2009
The Expanding Horizons program involves several developmental phases beginning by generating interest in the program within the community. The initial phase would be generated through a targeted introductory campaign taken directly to the kids. A compelling print campaign inviting our targeted youths to participate in this vital program that will offer instruction and give them hands on experience in the various aspects of the film making process as well as allowing them to take an active roll in community involvement. This will be supported by motivational discussions and open forum "Q&A" conversations with the Land Mind Production team. Kids will then be given the opportunity to enroll in the program.
Phase two begins with a (2-day) instructional workshop on the film & video making process. This will cover an overview of all aspects of the production process from project conception and creation through completion as well as giving the kids some hands on training with the equipment, a tour of the Land Mind studio facilities and instruction from several local industry professionals covering the varying positions that make up the production team. Phase two will conclude with the kids coming together to conceive and create ideas for their own PSA production focussing on community service in their neighborhood.
Phase three of the project will involve the planning and execution of the community service PSA project. Here the kids will come together to finalize plans and scheduling for creating the PSA itself as well as promoting and implementing the community service project which the PSA will focus on. This will involve interviews of the kids themselves as well as members of the community and will show them in action in their neighborhood working directly on their PSA, as well as "behind the scenes" footage of them making the PSA. Phase three will conclude with a final editing of the project which will be a one day "hands-on" workshop focussing on the editorial process.
Phase four will essentially be an Expanding Horizons wrap party and screening of the PSA for the kids, their family and friends as well as esteemed members of the community. This will be publicized and promoted in the local media and press. Local TV stations will also be encouraged to air the PSA during regular broadcasting. This event will not only serve to recognize, commend and congratulate the kids for a job well done, but also to raise community awareness about the Expanding Horizons Program.
The Expanding Horizons program serves several very important purposes:
- Empowering youth through practical experience in education and community service.
- To assist disadvantaged and potentially "at risk" kids and kids in general in bettering their community and themselves through community based work experience projects.
- Teaching kids the value of developing productive and positive life skills focussing on neighborhood re-investment and community pride.
- Providing kids with solid marketable work experience and practical training in the field of film and television.
- Providing a resource to communities with Public Service Announcements geared toward educating and supporting parents and children with many of the peer related issues kids face.
- Developing grass roots neighborhood clean up and beautification projects, reducing and helping to eliminate vandalism, youth crime and urban blight.
- To create an effective media tool for many child advocacy groups demonstrating the direct positive effects that programs like the E.H. and other child enrichment programs have on the community.
- To present new and unique programs that demonstrate care, concern, diversity and ability to serve our communities children and are distinct in serving the community abroad.
We are proud to be working together in cooperation with Kids Unlimited to bring back the E.H. program which will create and produce a quality high profile nationally recognized campaign through the Expanding Horizons program. This highly visible work experience educational program can assist to develop positive impact within the community.
© 2001 Land Mind Productions
