I’m a lucky guy because for the past 15 years I’ve been working with young
years I’ve been working with young
years I’ve been working with young people helping them develop media
people helping them develop media
people helping them develop media creation skills and developing really
creation skills and developing really
creation skills and developing really strong relationships with media and the
strong relationships with media and the
strong relationships with media and the one thing that has stood out to me the
one thing that has stood out to me the
one thing that has stood out to me the most throughout all of these amazing
most throughout all of these amazing
most throughout all of these amazing electric experiences has been that it
electric experiences has been that it
electric experiences has been that it only takes one time to trust a young
only takes one time to trust a young
only takes one time to trust a young person with a media tool to help them
person with a media tool to help them
person with a media tool to help them tell a story for them to revolutionize
tell a story for them to revolutionize
tell a story for them to revolutionize the way they critique and consume media
the way they critique and consume media
the way they critique and consume media these experience that just that can
these experience that just that can
these experience that just that can build a build and build upon one another
build a build and build upon one another
build a build and build upon one another and so I keep thinking to myself why in
and so I keep thinking to myself why in
and so I keep thinking to myself why in an educational setting
an educational setting
an educational setting do we not trust our kids and I think to
do we not trust our kids and I think to
do we not trust our kids and I think to answer that question we have to kind of
answer that question we have to kind of
answer that question we have to kind of go back to our own situations as adults
go back to our own situations as adults
go back to our own situations as adults and as leaders and we think about your
and as leaders and we think about your
and as leaders and we think about your job I want you to think about your
job I want you to think about your
job I want you to think about your positions in life and what does it take
positions in life and what does it take
positions in life and what does it take for you to trust kids sorry what does it
for you to trust kids sorry what does it
for you to trust kids sorry what does it take for you to trust period who do you
take for you to trust period who do you
take for you to trust period who do you trust
trust
trust why do you trust is it reputation is it
why do you trust is it reputation is it
why do you trust is it reputation is it referral is that a gut instinct is it an
referral is that a gut instinct is it an
referral is that a gut instinct is it an experience maybe you don’t trust at all
experience maybe you don’t trust at all
experience maybe you don’t trust at all and you have to think about why you
and you have to think about why you
and you have to think about why you don’t but if you really want to
don’t but if you really want to
don’t but if you really want to understand that you have to go back even
understand that you have to go back even
understand that you have to go back even further how old were you when someone
further how old were you when someone
further how old were you when someone finally trusted you and I want you to
finally trusted you and I want you to
finally trusted you and I want you to actually interact with this and
actually interact with this and
actually interact with this and participate in this process so raise
participate in this process so raise
participate in this process so raise your hand if you were a teenager when
your hand if you were a teenager when
your hand if you were a teenager when someone actually trusted you with
someone actually trusted you with
someone actually trusted you with something important cool early 20s late
something important cool early 20s late
something important cool early 20s late 20s 30s are you still waiting
20s 30s are you still waiting
20s 30s are you still waiting I’m sorry I promise we will trust you by
I’m sorry I promise we will trust you by
I’m sorry I promise we will trust you by the end of this session right why in the
the end of this session right why in the
the end of this session right why in the world would someone trust you what do
world would someone trust you what do
world would someone trust you what do they need like you must be thinking this
they need like you must be thinking this
they need like you must be thinking this when you finally get that job
when you finally get that job
when you finally get that job opportunity you get something that
opportunity you get something that
opportunity you get something that happens and you’re like oh my god they
happens and you’re like oh my god they
happens and you’re like oh my god they gave it to me why and I think it comes
gave it to me why and I think it comes
gave it to me why and I think it comes back to these types of situations
back to these types of situations
back to these types of situations there’s someone important recommended
there’s someone important recommended
there’s someone important recommended you some you were really convincing they
you some you were really convincing they
you some you were really convincing they saw something in you perhaps it was a
saw something in you perhaps it was a
saw something in you perhaps it was a skill or an experience that you had
skill or an experience that you had
skill or an experience that you had or maybe they simply didn’t have a
or maybe they simply didn’t have a
or maybe they simply didn’t have a choice me personally this is so true I
choice me personally this is so true I
choice me personally this is so true I hated history in particular which is
hated history in particular which is
hated history in particular which is really weird because I’m a history
really weird because I’m a history
really weird because I’m a history teacher but I really hated school when I
teacher but I really hated school when I
teacher but I really hated school when I was a kid it just didn’t connect with me
was a kid it just didn’t connect with me
was a kid it just didn’t connect with me I didn’t connect with it I knew it was
I didn’t connect with it I knew it was
I didn’t connect with it I knew it was important they beat that into our brains
important they beat that into our brains
important they beat that into our brains over and over and over again you gotta
over and over and over again you gotta
over and over and over again you gotta get an education so that you can get a
get an education so that you can get a
get an education so that you can get a job but it just really didn’t connect me
job but it just really didn’t connect me
job but it just really didn’t connect me and I don’t think I was ever really
and I don’t think I was ever really
and I don’t think I was ever really trusted or empowered or given anything
trusted or empowered or given anything
trusted or empowered or given anything meaningful to do they absolutely told us
meaningful to do they absolutely told us
meaningful to do they absolutely told us it was important but they never showed
it was important but they never showed
it was important but they never showed us and they never got us to feel that it
us and they never got us to feel that it
us and they never got us to feel that it was important my dad I don’t want to
was important my dad I don’t want to
was important my dad I don’t want to throw under the bus because he’s a great
throw under the bus because he’s a great
throw under the bus because he’s a great guy and he taught us a work ethic and he
guy and he taught us a work ethic and he
guy and he taught us a work ethic and he made things happen but this was his
made things happen but this was his
made things happen but this was his mantra and this was regularly stated in
mantra and this was regularly stated in
mantra and this was regularly stated in our house any time we would speak at the
our house any time we would speak at the
our house any time we would speak at the dinner table specifically around family
dinner table specifically around family
dinner table specifically around family and any time I would ask questions in
and any time I would ask questions in
and any time I would ask questions in school and then get in trouble for
school and then get in trouble for
school and then get in trouble for asking those questions in school it
asking those questions in school it
asking those questions in school it would come back to this and it was just
would come back to this and it was just
would come back to this and it was just sort of like okay I think this is the
sort of like okay I think this is the
sort of like okay I think this is the underpinning like flow and energy of
underpinning like flow and energy of
underpinning like flow and energy of school we expect our students to sit
school we expect our students to sit
school we expect our students to sit there and take orders and then
there and take orders and then
there and take orders and then regurgitate and then move on and then we
regurgitate and then move on and then we
regurgitate and then move on and then we kick that can down the road to the point
kick that can down the road to the point
kick that can down the road to the point of where we actually trust people to do
of where we actually trust people to do
of where we actually trust people to do stuff this question came up many many
stuff this question came up many many
stuff this question came up many many times in my life and I remember back to
times in my life and I remember back to
times in my life and I remember back to my 16th birthday and I was really pumped
my 16th birthday and I was really pumped
my 16th birthday and I was really pumped my aunt and my uncle were taking me out
my aunt and my uncle were taking me out
my aunt and my uncle were taking me out and it was this big moment and they
and it was this big moment and they
and it was this big moment and they picked me up and they take me into labor
picked me up and they take me into labor
picked me up and they take me into labor taking me someone really special and the
taking me someone really special and the
taking me someone really special and the anticipation is building and building
anticipation is building and building
anticipation is building and building and I can’t wait they drive around the
and I can’t wait they drive around the
and I can’t wait they drive around the corner this is out in Long Island they
corner this is out in Long Island they
corner this is out in Long Island they take me to Nassau Coliseum I guess I’m
take me to Nassau Coliseum I guess I’m
take me to Nassau Coliseum I guess I’m going to an Islanders game I get to see
going to an Islanders game I get to see
going to an Islanders game I get to see some hockey finally and they get me into
some hockey finally and they get me into
some hockey finally and they get me into the corner and then I get what every 16
the corner and then I get what every 16
the corner and then I get what every 16 year-old boy wants in their life and all
year-old boy wants in their life and all
year-old boy wants in their life and all expenses paid trip
expenses paid trip
expenses paid trip to a college fair they pull up at 10:00
to a college fair they pull up at 10:00
to a college fair they pull up at 10:00 a.m. they dropped me off on the curb in
a.m. they dropped me off on the curb in
a.m. they dropped me off on the curb in Alexi at 5:00 and then now I’m like you
Alexi at 5:00 and then now I’m like you
Alexi at 5:00 and then now I’m like you gotta be kidding me so I go into this
gotta be kidding me so I go into this
gotta be kidding me so I go into this giant a table after table after table
giant a table after table after table
giant a table after table after table college counselors asking me this
college counselors asking me this
college counselors asking me this question so what do you want to be when
question so what do you want to be when
question so what do you want to be when you grow up soon and I literally stare
you grow up soon and I literally stare
you grow up soon and I literally stare back back blankly I have no idea what to
back back blankly I have no idea what to
back back blankly I have no idea what to say to them because I wasn’t trusted
say to them because I wasn’t trusted
say to them because I wasn’t trusted prior and I don’t think I was given
prior and I don’t think I was given
prior and I don’t think I was given opportunities to really figure that
opportunities to really figure that
opportunities to really figure that answer out fast forward maybe a month or
answer out fast forward maybe a month or
answer out fast forward maybe a month or so after that epic sweet 16 party and I
so after that epic sweet 16 party and I
so after that epic sweet 16 party and I land a job as an assistant at a tuxedo
land a job as an assistant at a tuxedo
land a job as an assistant at a tuxedo store sounds pretty cool and on day one
store sounds pretty cool and on day one
store sounds pretty cool and on day one I find out what that means being an
I find out what that means being an
I find out what that means being an assistant at a tuxedo store means
assistant at a tuxedo store means
assistant at a tuxedo store means wearing a tuxedo outside said store and
wearing a tuxedo outside said store and
wearing a tuxedo outside said store and handing people flyers in traffic it’s
handing people flyers in traffic it’s
handing people flyers in traffic it’s exhilarating it’s probably the most
exhilarating it’s probably the most
exhilarating it’s probably the most amazing experience ever had actually but
amazing experience ever had actually but
amazing experience ever had actually but I didn’t really want to stay in that
I didn’t really want to stay in that
I didn’t really want to stay in that position so I argued with the manager
position so I argued with the manager
position so I argued with the manager and say you gotta be kidding me this is
and say you gotta be kidding me this is
and say you gotta be kidding me this is not what you sold me on nice sales pitch
not what you sold me on nice sales pitch
not what you sold me on nice sales pitch but come on deliver and within one month
but come on deliver and within one month
but come on deliver and within one month I was the manager of that store my
I was the manager of that store my
I was the manager of that store my friends are flipping burgers and bagging
friends are flipping burgers and bagging
friends are flipping burgers and bagging groceries experiences I’ve absolutely
groceries experiences I’ve absolutely
groceries experiences I’ve absolutely had on my own
had on my own
had on my own but I have the keys to the store I’m
but I have the keys to the store I’m
but I have the keys to the store I’m doing the inventory I’m running the show
doing the inventory I’m running the show
doing the inventory I’m running the show I’m even the tailor I’m like I’m sewing
I’m even the tailor I’m like I’m sewing
I’m even the tailor I’m like I’m sewing tuxedo pants like you’ve got to be
tuxedo pants like you’ve got to be
tuxedo pants like you’ve got to be kidding me I’m 16 and I’m in charge of
kidding me I’m 16 and I’m in charge of
kidding me I’m 16 and I’m in charge of that but I was in charge of the Daily
that but I was in charge of the Daily
that but I was in charge of the Daily Show and this experience like really
Show and this experience like really
Show and this experience like really told me that you know forget my dream of
told me that you know forget my dream of
told me that you know forget my dream of being starting short stuff with New York
being starting short stuff with New York
being starting short stuff with New York Yankees okay fine it’s still in here
Yankees okay fine it’s still in here
Yankees okay fine it’s still in here right maybe one day right
right maybe one day right
right maybe one day right but tuxedos I mean this is where it’s at
but tuxedos I mean this is where it’s at
but tuxedos I mean this is where it’s at all the ideas are spinning my brain my
all the ideas are spinning my brain my
all the ideas are spinning my brain my own store my own franchise my own then I
own store my own franchise my own then I
own store my own franchise my own then I go to college and it’s more of the same
go to college and it’s more of the same
go to college and it’s more of the same sit in the row take the test take the
sit in the row take the test take the
sit in the row take the test take the class move on get the job move on move
class move on get the job move on move
class move on get the job move on move on move on no challenge no true trust no
on move on no challenge no true trust no
on move on no challenge no true trust no opportunity to do anything more most
opportunity to do anything more most
opportunity to do anything more most importantly no tuxedo Empire I want to
importantly no tuxedo Empire I want to
importantly no tuxedo Empire I want to take a step back and think about this
take a step back and think about this
take a step back and think about this like how old do you feel right now I
feel 17 honestly
feel 17 honestly and it’s because 17 years ago I started
and it’s because 17 years ago I started
and it’s because 17 years ago I started making decisions for myself
making decisions for myself
making decisions for myself prior to that I felt like all the
prior to that I felt like all the
prior to that I felt like all the decisions I was making were for someone
decisions I was making were for someone
decisions I was making were for someone else they weren’t really generating any
else they weren’t really generating any
else they weren’t really generating any type of trajectory for me and it was the
type of trajectory for me and it was the
type of trajectory for me and it was the simple like you know method it’s like go
simple like you know method it’s like go
simple like you know method it’s like go to school get a part-time job do
to school get a part-time job do
to school get a part-time job do curricular like extracurricular
curricular like extracurricular
curricular like extracurricular activities get that to the point where
activities get that to the point where
activities get that to the point where you get into a college get a major get a
you get into a college get a major get a
you get into a college get a major get a job stay at that job long enough to find
job stay at that job long enough to find
job stay at that job long enough to find a spouse buy a house make some babies
a spouse buy a house make some babies
a spouse buy a house make some babies wash rinse repeat but I was also told
wash rinse repeat but I was also told
wash rinse repeat but I was also told that we’re supposed to trust our hearts
that we’re supposed to trust our hearts
that we’re supposed to trust our hearts but I asked my heart and my heart said
but I asked my heart and my heart said
but I asked my heart and my heart said if I know and really it wasn’t until I
if I know and really it wasn’t until I
if I know and really it wasn’t until I left the country till I kind of become
left the country till I kind of become
left the country till I kind of become the next great American novelist or
the next great American novelist or
the next great American novelist or figure out how to use a camera to change
figure out how to use a camera to change
figure out how to use a camera to change the world and all these lofty ideas but
the world and all these lofty ideas but
the world and all these lofty ideas but I started interacting with young people
I started interacting with young people
I started interacting with young people who were just so hungry and dying to be
who were just so hungry and dying to be
who were just so hungry and dying to be in school this is what it looks like all
in school this is what it looks like all
in school this is what it looks like all over the world and a lightning bolt went
over the world and a lightning bolt went
over the world and a lightning bolt went off in my mind and I realized what it
off in my mind and I realized what it
off in my mind and I realized what it was it was that they saw engagement they
was it was that they saw engagement they
was it was that they saw engagement they saw empowerment they saw that this was
saw empowerment they saw that this was
saw empowerment they saw that this was the way that the world was in change for
the way that the world was in change for
the way that the world was in change for them this was their way out education
them this was their way out education
them this was their way out education actually meant something and even though
actually meant something and even though
actually meant something and even though at the time it was singing ABC songs
at the time it was singing ABC songs
at the time it was singing ABC songs this was different than what I
this was different than what I
this was different than what I experienced it’s the 20th century back
experienced it’s the 20th century back
experienced it’s the 20th century back when I was growing up we didn’t have the
when I was growing up we didn’t have the
when I was growing up we didn’t have the Internet cameras cost thousands of
Internet cameras cost thousands of
Internet cameras cost thousands of dollars and you legitimately needed to
dollars and you legitimately needed to
dollars and you legitimately needed to know somebody to get ahead but times
know somebody to get ahead but times
know somebody to get ahead but times have changed informations everywhere
have changed informations everywhere
have changed informations everywhere technology’s 2 times faster and half the
technology’s 2 times faster and half the
technology’s 2 times faster and half the cost every year and now it’s all about
cost every year and now it’s all about
cost every year and now it’s all about access and trust so why are we not
access and trust so why are we not
access and trust so why are we not trusting kids why don’t we let them
trusting kids why don’t we let them
trusting kids why don’t we let them start their path to their future sooner
start their path to their future sooner
start their path to their future sooner what are we waiting for
what are we waiting for
what are we waiting for what are we held up by I’m a firm
what are we held up by I’m a firm
what are we held up by I’m a firm believer in needing something more than
believer in needing something more than
believer in needing something more than a slick sales pitch to convince people
a slick sales pitch to convince people
a slick sales pitch to convince people to buy in to build a community to build
to buy in to build a community to build
to buy in to build a community to build a movement but it normally does come
a movement but it normally does come
a movement but it normally does come back to one individual taking a shot
back to one individual taking a shot
back to one individual taking a shot taking a leap of faith on you and back
taking a leap of faith on you and back
taking a leap of faith on you and back in 2010 David bill a friend now but at
in 2010 David bill a friend now but at
in 2010 David bill a friend now but at the time just some guy I met at the
the time just some guy I met at the
the time just some guy I met at the edge’ con conference that we host every
edge’ con conference that we host every
edge’ con conference that we host every year he had a TED talk that was gonna
year he had a TED talk that was gonna
year he had a TED talk that was gonna happen
happen
happen and he needed he had a budget of $50,000
and he needed he had a budget of $50,000
and he needed he had a budget of $50,000 and he needed to connect in New York
and he needed to connect in New York
and he needed to connect in New York City
City
City i was like well hell we could do it for
i was like well hell we could do it for
i was like well hell we could do it for half of that his eyes grew really
half of that his eyes grew really
half of that his eyes grew really why’d and he was like who is we and
why’d and he was like who is we and
why’d and he was like who is we and ruffcut productions was born media
ruffcut productions was born media
ruffcut productions was born media production company built by Philly kids
production company built by Philly kids
production company built by Philly kids for Philly kids will trust Philly kids
for Philly kids will trust Philly kids
for Philly kids will trust Philly kids to be the next media producers of the
to be the next media producers of the
to be the next media producers of the world it was unbelievable
world it was unbelievable
world it was unbelievable so six months no sorry six weeks later
so six months no sorry six weeks later
so six months no sorry six weeks later we’re on our way up the New Jersey
we’re on our way up the New Jersey
we’re on our way up the New Jersey Turnpike with seven kids half a million
Turnpike with seven kids half a million
Turnpike with seven kids half a million dollars worth of rented equipment and a
dollars worth of rented equipment and a
dollars worth of rented equipment and a dream we have no idea how this is gonna
dream we have no idea how this is gonna
dream we have no idea how this is gonna go down we’ve never done something like
go down we’ve never done something like
go down we’ve never done something like this before but we are on our way up
this before but we are on our way up
this before but we are on our way up there to produce a TED talk just like
there to produce a TED talk just like
there to produce a TED talk just like this 15 year olds and their teachers
this 15 year olds and their teachers
this 15 year olds and their teachers halfway through we’re we’re talking at a
halfway through we’re we’re talking at a
halfway through we’re we’re talking at a break and I overhear a guy talking on a
break and I overhear a guy talking on a
break and I overhear a guy talking on a phone with this friend in Amsterdam and
phone with this friend in Amsterdam and
phone with this friend in Amsterdam and the guy in Amsterdam is like you know
the guy in Amsterdam is like you know
the guy in Amsterdam is like you know this is like the greatest TED talk
this is like the greatest TED talk
this is like the greatest TED talk livestream ever and I’m like feeling
livestream ever and I’m like feeling
livestream ever and I’m like feeling good inside because the guy in the phone
good inside because the guy in the phone
good inside because the guy in the phone is like yeah and the coolest thing it’s
is like yeah and the coolest thing it’s
is like yeah and the coolest thing it’s a bunch of five-year-olds 15 year olds
a bunch of five-year-olds 15 year olds
a bunch of five-year-olds 15 year olds and and their teachers it’s like
and and their teachers it’s like
and and their teachers it’s like ridiculous it’s like a most unbelievable
ridiculous it’s like a most unbelievable
ridiculous it’s like a most unbelievable thing ever these seven kids who did this
thing ever these seven kids who did this
thing ever these seven kids who did this project with us they were so visible
project with us they were so visible
project with us they were so visible making their media through the course of
making their media through the course of
making their media through the course of that school year that everybody decided
that school year that everybody decided
that school year that everybody decided to sign up for this 36 kids the next
to sign up for this 36 kids the next
to sign up for this 36 kids the next year
year
year 200 the year after that 200 after that
200 the year after that 200 after that
200 the year after that 200 after that and now after eight years over a
and now after eight years over a
and now after eight years over a thousand students have gone through our
thousand students have gone through our
thousand students have gone through our programming at science Leadership
programming at science Leadership
programming at science Leadership Academy of Philadelphia it has now
Academy of Philadelphia it has now
Academy of Philadelphia it has now expanded outside of that one school it’s
expanded outside of that one school it’s
expanded outside of that one school it’s about that evidence the students and the
about that evidence the students and the
about that evidence the students and the school needed it and they need it now
school needed it and they need it now
school needed it and they need it now but it’s not just about the students who
but it’s not just about the students who
but it’s not just about the students who go on to be at USC and NYU and all these
go on to be at USC and NYU and all these
go on to be at USC and NYU and all these major film programs like Emerson and
major film programs like Emerson and
major film programs like Emerson and Pratt and Temple film and this little
Pratt and Temple film and this little
Pratt and Temple film and this little school called Penn State it’s also the
school called Penn State it’s also the
school called Penn State it’s also the kids who decide to go study nutrition
kids who decide to go study nutrition
kids who decide to go study nutrition and public speaking and public relations
and public speaking and public relations
and public speaking and public relations and social work they come back and they
and social work they come back and they
and social work they come back and they say that the program that they
say that the program that they
say that the program that they participated in changed their lives it
participated in changed their lives it
participated in changed their lives it modified who they were and it gave them
modified who they were and it gave them
modified who they were and it gave them agency and it told them that it didn’t
agency and it told them that it didn’t
agency and it told them that it didn’t matter their age or their class standing
matter their age or their class standing
matter their age or their class standing it would never hold them back because
it would never hold them back because
it would never hold them back because they knew that they could actually
they knew that they could actually
they knew that they could actually communicate their ideas and their
communicate their ideas and their
communicate their ideas and their passions in 2013 the doomsday budget
passions in 2013 the doomsday budget
passions in 2013 the doomsday budget with some of you in Pennsylvania would
with some of you in Pennsylvania would
with some of you in Pennsylvania would know about was this austerity measure
know about was this austerity measure
know about was this austerity measure that was going to cripple the budgets of
that was going to cripple the budgets of
that was going to cripple the budgets of schools throughout Philadelphia and
schools throughout Philadelphia and
schools throughout Philadelphia and abroad and we
abroad and we
abroad and we we lost teachers myself included
we lost teachers myself included
we lost teachers myself included education counselors and librarians were
education counselors and librarians were
education counselors and librarians were seen as non-essential it was just
seen as non-essential it was just
seen as non-essential it was just devastating our programming everywhere
devastating our programming everywhere
devastating our programming everywhere so in this capacity we had to get
so in this capacity we had to get
so in this capacity we had to get creative about how we were going to keep
creative about how we were going to keep
creative about how we were going to keep our program alive and we had to figure
our program alive and we had to figure
our program alive and we had to figure out funding to keep the thing going but
out funding to keep the thing going but
out funding to keep the thing going but at the same time we couldn’t ignore our
at the same time we couldn’t ignore our
at the same time we couldn’t ignore our students and every time all they kept
students and every time all they kept
students and every time all they kept asking for was why don’t we have a
asking for was why don’t we have a
asking for was why don’t we have a photography program so we built one five
photography program so we built one five
photography program so we built one five kids 75 cameras I got that backwards
kids 75 cameras I got that backwards
kids 75 cameras I got that backwards it’s five students
it’s five students
it’s five students the project that they created and the
the project that they created and the
the project that they created and the content that they produced led to
content that they produced led to
content that they produced led to hanging by a shoestring what we see what
hanging by a shoestring what we see what
hanging by a shoestring what we see what we are I am not the same anymore these
we are I am not the same anymore these
we are I am not the same anymore these photo programs and these exhibitions
photo programs and these exhibitions
photo programs and these exhibitions just exploded through Philadelphia and
just exploded through Philadelphia and
just exploded through Philadelphia and the outside public realized what was
the outside public realized what was
the outside public realized what was happening was really really special
david bill and his TEDx team was just
david bill and his TEDx team was just the beginning
the beginning
the beginning individuals foundations corporations
individuals foundations corporations
individuals foundations corporations they just started coming to us they were
they just started coming to us they were
they just started coming to us they were finding us we weren’t looking for them
finding us we weren’t looking for them
finding us we weren’t looking for them anymore
anymore
anymore they wanted to be part of this movement
they wanted to be part of this movement
they wanted to be part of this movement they wanted to trust kids and they
they wanted to trust kids and they
they wanted to trust kids and they wanted to show that they were part of
wanted to show that they were part of
wanted to show that they were part of something that was different
something that was different
something that was different eight years later we have our own media
eight years later we have our own media
eight years later we have our own media umbrella over this little Empire so no
umbrella over this little Empire so no
umbrella over this little Empire so no tuxedos but now cameras right so now we
tuxedos but now cameras right so now we
tuxedos but now cameras right so now we have rough cut media which produces
have rough cut media which produces
have rough cut media which produces content and hosts its own Film Festival
content and hosts its own Film Festival
content and hosts its own Film Festival year in and year out it showcases the
year in and year out it showcases the
year in and year out it showcases the work of University High School
work of University High School
work of University High School independent and now professional
independent and now professional
independent and now professional filmmakers it has created a vertically
filmmakers it has created a vertically
filmmakers it has created a vertically aligned community that ensures that a
aligned community that ensures that a
aligned community that ensures that a young person can actually touch someone
young person can actually touch someone
young person can actually touch someone who’s doing it for the real deal in the
who’s doing it for the real deal in the
who’s doing it for the real deal in the professional world and now when students
professional world and now when students
professional world and now when students ask or someone asks what does it look
ask or someone asks what does it look
ask or someone asks what does it look like when you trust a kid all I have to
like when you trust a kid all I have to
like when you trust a kid all I have to do is hit play
the Nexen the next version of this film
the Nexen the next version of this film festival happens in May of this year
festival happens in May of this year
festival happens in May of this year this is all built by students I was the
this is all built by students I was the
this is all built by students I was the only adult until maybe last year the
only adult until maybe last year the
only adult until maybe last year the only adult involved in this process now
only adult involved in this process now
only adult involved in this process now our former students are actually adults
our former students are actually adults
our former students are actually adults and some of them in the room today and
and some of them in the room today and
and some of them in the room today and they’re gonna be involved in the next
they’re gonna be involved in the next
they’re gonna be involved in the next phase of what we’re creating because
phase of what we’re creating because
phase of what we’re creating because they’re gonna be the teachers as well in
they’re gonna be the teachers as well in
they’re gonna be the teachers as well in my classes I always ask three questions
my classes I always ask three questions
my classes I always ask three questions of our students before they make a piece
of our students before they make a piece
of our students before they make a piece of media what do you want us to feel
of media what do you want us to feel
of media what do you want us to feel what do you want us to learn and how are
what do you want us to learn and how are
what do you want us to learn and how are you gonna move us to action now this
you gonna move us to action now this
you gonna move us to action now this always works really well in photography
always works really well in photography
always works really well in photography and video and even history but this is
and video and even history but this is
and video and even history but this is really about society it’s about how do
really about society it’s about how do
really about society it’s about how do we engage and empower our citizens how
we engage and empower our citizens how
we engage and empower our citizens how do you create that community that’s
do you create that community that’s
do you create that community that’s going to actualize a mission and we’ve
going to actualize a mission and we’ve
going to actualize a mission and we’ve seen this evidence all over the world
seen this evidence all over the world
seen this evidence all over the world and the refugee camp works that we do
and the refugee camp works that we do
and the refugee camp works that we do this is this one boy is after one day of
this is this one boy is after one day of
this is this one boy is after one day of learning some basic composition in
learning some basic composition in
learning some basic composition in photography you can see him thinking
photography you can see him thinking
photography you can see him thinking before he uses that tool in these places
before he uses that tool in these places
before he uses that tool in these places people don’t have a choice the young
people don’t have a choice the young
people don’t have a choice the young people are doing all the heavy lifting
people are doing all the heavy lifting
people are doing all the heavy lifting but they actually want the same
but they actually want the same
but they actually want the same opportunities of the people in these
opportunities of the people in these
opportunities of the people in these seats have they want more than learning
seats have they want more than learning
seats have they want more than learning their ABCs when they’re 15 years old
their ABCs when they’re 15 years old
their ABCs when they’re 15 years old there’s a great program in the camps in
there’s a great program in the camps in
there’s a great program in the camps in Bangladesh where the Rohingya have fled
Bangladesh where the Rohingya have fled
Bangladesh where the Rohingya have fled ethnic violence in Myanmar and are now
ethnic violence in Myanmar and are now
ethnic violence in Myanmar and are now inside Bangladesh and there’s almost
inside Bangladesh and there’s almost
inside Bangladesh and there’s almost over a million people there waiting
over a million people there waiting
over a million people there waiting still stateless and these young people
still stateless and these young people
still stateless and these young people they just want to access and trust
they just want to access and trust
they just want to access and trust and a group called ol bat helpers which
and a group called ol bat helpers which
and a group called ol bat helpers which has created the humanitarian assistance
has created the humanitarian assistance
has created the humanitarian assistance program that we work very closely with
program that we work very closely with
program that we work very closely with they’ve done just that they hire the
they’ve done just that they hire the
they’ve done just that they hire the Rohan Ghia themselves the ones that were
Rohan Ghia themselves the ones that were
Rohan Ghia themselves the ones that were born in the camps and who had not the
born in the camps and who had not the
born in the camps and who had not the opportunity to even go to school there
opportunity to even go to school there
opportunity to even go to school there the medical specialists there the
the medical specialists there the
the medical specialists there the translators there the community
translators there the community
translators there the community specialists they’re the ones who are
specialists they’re the ones who are
specialists they’re the ones who are ensuring that this community is built
ensuring that this community is built
ensuring that this community is built from the ground up and we ask ourselves
from the ground up and we ask ourselves
from the ground up and we ask ourselves with the same question repeatedly and we
with the same question repeatedly and we
with the same question repeatedly and we evolve and we keep moving forward and
evolve and we keep moving forward and
evolve and we keep moving forward and starting on Tuesday fresh focus is born
starting on Tuesday fresh focus is born
starting on Tuesday fresh focus is born it’s a partnership with fresh artists
it’s a partnership with fresh artists
it’s a partnership with fresh artists which is an amazing organization that
which is an amazing organization that
which is an amazing organization that brings art supplies into underserved
brings art supplies into underserved
brings art supplies into underserved schools and ruffcut media is gonna
schools and ruffcut media is gonna
schools and ruffcut media is gonna partner up and a lot of the people in
partner up and a lot of the people in
partner up and a lot of the people in the seats over here are gonna be the
the seats over here are gonna be the
the seats over here are gonna be the teachers who are gonna be teaching
teachers who are gonna be teaching
teachers who are gonna be teaching seventh and eighth graders how to show
seventh and eighth graders how to show
seventh and eighth graders how to show the world what can the New Jersey one of
the world what can the New Jersey one of
the world what can the New Jersey one of the poorest in small cities in America
the poorest in small cities in America
the poorest in small cities in America looks like through their eyes so kids
looks like through their eyes so kids
looks like through their eyes so kids can do this work and that’s the model
can do this work and that’s the model
can do this work and that’s the model for what we’re gonna do overseas in
for what we’re gonna do overseas in
for what we’re gonna do overseas in camps across the globe so when we trust
camps across the globe so when we trust
camps across the globe so when we trust kids is not just the slick slogan it’s
kids is not just the slick slogan it’s
kids is not just the slick slogan it’s something that you can live and breathe
something that you can live and breathe
something that you can live and breathe on a daily basis so I want you to walk
on a daily basis so I want you to walk
on a daily basis so I want you to walk out of here thinking about how your
out of here thinking about how your
out of here thinking about how your individual roles and your capacities and
individual roles and your capacities and
individual roles and your capacities and your communities and your industries can
your communities and your industries can
your communities and your industries can start shifting the conversation to how
start shifting the conversation to how
start shifting the conversation to how we can start trusting youth earlier how
we can start trusting youth earlier how
we can start trusting youth earlier how we can increase the tools and access to
we can increase the tools and access to
we can increase the tools and access to experiences that are truly meaningful
experiences that are truly meaningful
experiences that are truly meaningful and how you can actually validate a kid
and how you can actually validate a kid
and how you can actually validate a kid just by listening to them give a kid a
just by listening to them give a kid a
just by listening to them give a kid a camera give a kid a mic give a kid a 3d
camera give a kid a mic give a kid a 3d
camera give a kid a mic give a kid a 3d printer he’ll just give a kid to see
printer he’ll just give a kid to see
printer he’ll just give a kid to see that the table of decision give a kid
that the table of decision give a kid
that the table of decision give a kid your ear because from these small rural
your ear because from these small rural
your ear because from these small rural towns to these abandoned inner cities to
towns to these abandoned inner cities to
towns to these abandoned inner cities to these refugee camps our world is
these refugee camps our world is
these refugee camps our world is overflowing with youth who just want
overflowing with youth who just want
overflowing with youth who just want access and trust they just want a chance
access and trust they just want a chance
access and trust they just want a chance that’s something more than they were
that’s something more than they were
that’s something more than they were starting with and their chance hinges on
starting with and their chance hinges on
starting with and their chance hinges on our trust
our trust
our trust thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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