Inspire Yourself

by Meredith Mental Health, School, TV and Film

This summer Inspire USA, the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) Factory program for teen filmmakers made four short films that were unlike any others you will see on this site, and possibly anywhere else. These films were the result of local San Mateo County residents whose courage, resilience and giving allowed them write and produce films together, to help others get through tough times they have experienced, but know can be overcome: Inspire Yourself

Earlier this year, we asked teens and young adults in San Mateo County California to write a story about what got them through a tough time. These stories were turned into films by graduates of the BAVC Factory program, a summer-long film making intensive course that gives teen filmmakers the resources, experience and expertise to make top-notch videos. What's better is that all the videos are made for non-profits doing great work in their own local or national communities. After the stories were collected, the filmakers wrote scripts that preserved the stories and breathed them into moving films, like "Write it Out" above. We owe a massive thanks to the folks in San Mateo County for funding this project. We also could not have pulled it off without our 3 filmakers Raymundo Archila, Fifer Garbesi and ReachOut Youth Council member Lauren Lindberg and to Jason Jakaitis & Ewen Wright at BAVC for producing these films with us. If you liked the videos, please leave a comment on our Youtube videos showing your support!

On Saturday, August 27, the stories were screened at the Pacific Film Archive to a crowd of hundreds of teens, young adults and the usual assortment of creative, inspiring people found hanging around BAVC. It was great to see these films get their due props and for Fifer, Lauren and Raymundo to be recognized as the insightful and promising artists that they are.

This was my last project working as Inspire staff, and I will never forget the help of Christina Vo ("Getting Perspective"), Louvenia at Canyon Oaks Youth Center and Katherine at the YAIL/CAMINAR program in Redwood City for their support and role in encouraging local youth to participate in this project. Anastasia Goodstein, our rocking, non-stop and generous Director of Digital Programs was also invaulable (as were the many lessons you helped me learn along the way!). Till the next episode!

What do you think of these interpretations of real stories submitted to ReachOut.com? How might you be able to help someone else with what you have learned?