Celebration of Teaching and Learning Conference: ITVS Community Classroom Offers Free Materials

Last week, Annelise Wunderlich, ITVS’s national community engagement and education manager, attended the Celebration of Teaching and Learning Conference –– one of the biggest professional development conferences for educators in the country. Get her take on the event below.

Chi Do, ITVS’s associate director of communications, discusses ITVS Community Classroom materials -- availalbe to educators for free.

More than 8,000 attendees participated in the Celebration of Teaching and Learning Conference, sponsored by WNET in New York.

Recently, my colleague Chi Do, ITVS’s associate director of communications, and I attended the Celebration of Teaching and Learning Conference, sponsored by WNET in New York. It was a huge event – drawing more than 8,000 attendees this year!

Keynote speakers included Queen Latifah, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and Queen Noor. It was refreshing to see the energy and passion of so many educators gathered under one roof, especially at a time when the nation’s education system is facing a dire financial crisis.

ITVS Community Classroom shared an exhibition booth with our sister PBS series, P.O.V., and hundreds of teachers dropped by to check out the film and curriculum resources drawn from the series. Teachers were always surprised to learn that our DVD collections — which feature modules from acclaimed films from Independent Lens paired with standards based lesson plans –– are FREE to educators and youth-serving organizations. This came as welcome news at a time when cities are slashing school budgets across the country and teachers are more strapped than ever to connect their students with the tools they need to learn.

We unveiled our newest Community Classroom collection, based on the film Copyright Criminals, which explores the ethics around copyright law and sampling in hip-hop music. We also announced an exciting new interactive game to teach about recycling and globalization, based on the award-winning film Garbage Dreams, which will launch on April 20.

Check out our FREE resources >>

Watch the video below to hear from the teachers we met at the conference.

Tags: classroom, education, free teaching materials, PBS, public media, teachers

Inspiring Stories of People Living With MS

Filmmaker Jason DaSilva

Crisscrossing the country, by van and on scooter, ITVS-funded filmmaker, 30-year-old Jason DaSilva, is part of the three-person road crew for a new online project about Multiple Sclerosis.

Beginning today ––in honor of National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week (March 8-14) –– the National MS Society launched “We Keep Moving,” a journey across America that takes viewers into the homes of people living with MS.

Every week for ten weeks, three different stories and locations will be highlighted on the website. Visitors are invited to vote to select the story and destination for the following week’s short film.

“I don’t want to say that this
 will be easy,” writes Jason. “Being completely able-bodied and traveling 10 different
 places around the U.S. within 10 weeks is still a little bit much. Try doing the same with a scooter and MS symptoms!”

In addition to “We Keep Moving,” Jason, who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 25, is also working on When I Walk, his personal story of living with Multiple Sclerosis day-to-day. Jason is currently tracking his film and life on his video blog.

Learn more about “We Keep Moving” and choose the story you’d like to see next >>

Keep up with Jason on his blog >>

Tags: contest, health, healthcare, Multiple Sclerosis, science

Live Webinar Tomorrow Night: Copyright and Fair Use in the Art World and Classroom

Are you looking for ways to incorporate digital media into your teaching? Don’t understand the rules of online copyright and fair use?

On Wednesday, March 10  at 8:00 PM ET, join PBS Teachers and Classroom 2.0 for a special live webinar that will explore the implications of copyright and fair use laws in the classroom. The seminar will also explore how to share best practices in student media production.

During this event, you will have the chance to hear from and interact with filmmaker Kembrew McLeod, whose film Copyright Criminals recently aired on PBS’s Independent Lens, renowned law professor Peter Jaszi, and media producers and educators Chris Runde and Joe Fatheree.

Also, Annelise Wunderlich, national community engagement and education manager for ITVS, will present film modules and lesson plans based on the film and developed by ITVS Community Classroom.

At the close of the live webinar, you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and have a better understanding of what kind of tools and resources are available for your classroom or organization.

Bookmark this site and join the live discussion tomorrow at 8:00 PM >>

Tags: educators, hip hop, music, PBS, sampling, teachers

Keith Maitland at KLRU’s Texas Independents’ Day

Earlier this week, PBS affiliate KLRU in Austin, Texas, commemorated Texas Independents’ Day by celebrating the work of three local filmmakers whose work will appear on this season of Independent Lens. Learn more about the event from Keith Maitland, filmmaker of The Eyes of Me.

Filmmaker Keith Maitland with film subjects of The Eyes of Me.

Panel moderator Paul Stekler leads a round table discussion with Keith Maitland, filmmaker of The Eyes of Me; Karen Skloss, filmmaker of Sunshine; Michel Scott, filmmaker of The Horse Boy.

Last night, nearly 200 people gathered in a dark room to share an hour-long look into the lives of four blind teenagers. With the twinkling lights of the Austin City Limits stage as a backdrop, I couldn’t ask for a more fitting place to experience the incredible communal experience of watching the live Independent Lens broadcast of The Eyes of Me.

The Eyes of Me follows four blind teens over the course of one dynamic year. It’s about watching these teens growing up before our eyes. As they discover who they are, it is my hope that you will discover something about yourself –– it’s about challenging your own perception and seeing yourself in a new way… at least that’s what it’s always been about for me.

The entire process of creating this film, from a nascent idea, through 250 hours of rolling cameras, and two and half years of editing, has been both rewarding and challenging in degrees that I’m still not sure I can register. Along the way, I have learned many lessons about my creative processes, and my own humanity.

› Continue reading

Tags: Austin, blind, film screenings, filmmakers, health, independent film, Texas

Countdown to World Water Day Short Film Contest

To celebrate World Water Day 2010 ITVS and the University of Miami invite you to participate in the One Cut contest, a non-fiction short film contest designed to bring attention to the global water crisis affecting millions around the world. We are looking for films that will inspire viewers to make a change in their own lives to address the global water challenge at a personal level. The best entries will be personal, creative, visual stories that can be shared across all borders and languages.

The contest has three cash prizes:
* First prize: $500
* Second prize: $300
* Third prize: $200

Films should be at least 2 minutes in length and can be no more than 15 minutes long. Entrants are required to submit their films in digital form online and will be guided through the application process when they submit their entry form online. A distinguished panel at the School of Communication, University of Miami, will judge the contest.

The competition will be open until March 22, 2010 on World Water Day. Prizes will be announced shortly after.

Learn more about the contest and submit your entry today >>

Tags: environmental, video contest, water, World Water Day

ITVS Media Partnership for CARE’s “Half the Sky Live” National Screening

In honor of International Women’s Day, CARE –– a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty –– is presenting a one-night-only event on Thursday, March 4, at movie theaters nationwide called “Half the Sky Live.” ITVS is a proud media partner of this special presentation.

Inspired by the bestselling book from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the evening will feature musical performances, celebrity commentary, and uplifting stories about women and girls overcoming tremendous obstacles.

The event will be the world premiere of Woineshet, a short film by Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei and Lisa Leone. Appearances will include performers India.Arie, Diane Birch, Angelique Kidjo, and Michael Franti; actresses Maria Bello and Marisa Tomei; president/CEO of CARE Dr. Helene Gayle; New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof; United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women Rachel Mayanja; Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York; New York Times editor Sheryl WuDunn and others.

The goal of the event is to help women and girls around the world turn oppression into opportunity.

Learn more about this event and download a discussion guide >>

Watch the video below to learn more:

Tags: Human Rights, International Women's Day, New York Times, women

KLRU Celebrates Local Filmmakers Featured on Independent Lens

Do you live near Austin, Texas? Love indie film?

On March 2, KLRU-Austin will commemorate Texas Independents’ Day by celebrating the work of three local filmmakers whose work will appear on this season of Independent Lens on PBS.

Filmmaker and University of Texas Professor Paul Stekler will moderate a panel discussion with Michel O. Scott (The Horse Boy), Karen Skloss (Sunshine), and Keith Maitland (The Eyes of Me) starting at 8 p.m.

Following the discussion, there will be a special screening of the Independent Lens broadcast of The Eyes of Me at 9:00 p.m. Space is limited.

Learn more and RSVP today >>

Can’t make the screening or live too far away to attend? Fear not – check out Beyond the Box blog next week for clips from the event and a full recap from Keith Maitland, filmmaker of The Eyes of Me. Stay tuned!

Tags: events, film screenings, KLRU

PBS Video Contest: Enter to Win a Trip to Austin, Texas

Love PBS and not afraid to show it? From now through April 18, PBS is running a video contest and wants to know the answer to the question — what surprised you about PBS?

Maybe you love some of the innovative social media work at your local station? Or perhaps you saw an ITVS film that inspired you?

Whatever it is, the PBS Video contest is your chance to think outside the box, show off what you love about PBS, and maybe even win a trip to Austin, Texas, and have your winning creation end up on PBS!

Watch the video below to learn more:

While you are brainstorming and creating your winning video, keep up with the contest on Twitter using the #pbsvideocontest hashtag and follow @PBS.

Learn more about the official rules and prizes >>

Tags: PBS, video contest

Win an Autographed Poster from Maggie Gyllenhaal

Love collecting autographs, but don’t spot celebrities on a daily basis? No fear — we recently caught up with our host (and 2010 Oscar nominee) Maggie Gyllenhaal between shoots where she signed our official Independent Lens season poster.

Once a week from now until the end of this month, we’ll be giving a poster away. Entries will be randomly selected from the Independent Lens newsletter subscription list. If you currently receive the newsletter, you are already entered to win.

Tell your family, friends, and neighbors to sign up for the newsletter. Who knows, they might just give you their poster if they’re the lucky winners!

Sign up to be eligible for the Independent Lens poster giveaway >>

Tags: contest, free poster, Maggie Gyllenhaal

Filmmaker Pamela Yates Reflects on Open Call Orientation at ITVS

ITVS’s Open Call orientation concluded last week. Pamela Yates, filmmaker of Granito, gives an overview on her experience and why she is excited about working with ITVS and presenting her film on public television. Get her take below.

Pamela Yates

Open Call funded filmmakers.

The first thing that struck me at the ITVS Producer’s Orientation was the force. The force of dozens of people working as one to help get my film made, to get it broadcast and to have it make the greatest possible impact in the wider world.

It wasn’t always so. Richard O’Connell, director of production, gave a salient presentation recounting the little-known history of filmmakers coming together in 1984 –– and working for five years to create an independent television service by, for and about independent filmmakers. It was a bold, creative strategy to take government funds already earmarked for independent production on public television (but usurped by executive producers of the big series), and create a body to get it to individual filmmakers. I was one of those young filmmakers who worked to create ITVS — to ensure an eclectic vision, a diversity of voices, and a filmic exploration into the American psyche.

We opened the door. Then an amazing number of dedicated and talented people walked through it during the past twenty years and brought their own ideas to an organization that has become a vibrant contributor to the field of independent filmmaking and an essential player in the explosion of the documentary genre.

Let me tell you about some of the insights I gained about ITVS over the past few days.

› Continue reading

Tags: film resources, filmmakers, Open Call