Why a National 4-H Film Festival?

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Bradd Anderson

The following story is from the January 2016 issue of the 4-H History Preservation Newsletter

As we think about harnessing “Voices of 4-H History,” we know that today’s young people must be prepared to live and work in a world that no one completely envisions. They must be prepared for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented, and solving problems that haven’t been identified. FilmFest 4-H helps youth become producers – and not just consumers – of digital media.

Creating something real from one’s imagination is a powerful experience. It motivates many creative young people to develop their talents, and drives them to master skills with technologies old and new.

When a young person finds that interest that drives them, and explores it in an enriching environment that supports further growth, great things happen. Research shows that these young people tend to become more optimistic, have a larger sense of purpose in life, and develop stronger self-esteem.

If that passion is film making, however, the options for teens are very limited. Opportunities to nurture their talents are usually priced out of reach, if they can be found at all. While all will face the future, these teens will approach it on a different trajectory than those who found enriching environments that helped them develop their “sparks.”

It’s not too early for 4-H staff to start preparing youth to prepare entries and or prepare to attend the 2016 National FilmFest 4-H in Kansas City, Missouri, July 31 – August 3. Learn more about the idea and the program and watch top finishers from the past few years at: http://4h.missouri.edu/go/events/filmfest/

Bradd L. Anderson – Missouri State 4-H Youth Development Specialist

Please help us preserve 4-H History . . .

“Voices of 4-H History” Opens Doors for Hawaii 4-H

Posted on February 22, 2015 by NewsAdmin

In 2014, two Youth-Adult Partnership teams consisting of two teens and one adult participated in the “Voices of 4-H History” project for Hawaii.

According to Joan Chong, HI Extension service, the teams from Kona and Maui participated in a basic training that covered interview questions and techniques, project design and management, pre-production, filming, and camera techniques.

Because of training time constraints, the teams were also encouraged to connect with the local Community Access Television (CAT) to assist in editing and piecing the video together, and CAT was happy to help out. They offered classes in basic video production, camera operation, editing, lighting and studio production. Once the participants became certified producers at the CAT studios, the use of the television equipment and facilities were FREE! All the Youth-Adult Partnership teams needed to do was ask for help. When asked about the project, we found that youth participants not only learned video production but also gained knowledge about 4-H and the effect it has had on others.

Here are a few quotes from the youth:

“I felt that this project allowed me to experience what it felt like to be a part of 4-H many years ago. Through their stories, I can see how 4-H shaped people’s lives and how it helped 4-H’ers to ‘make the best, better!’”
“The best part of participating in this project was being able to learn more about 4-H and its history. I also learned a new skill of how to edit videos on the computer. I enjoyed meeting new people and learned how much 4-H meant to them.”
“It opened my eyes and gave me a better understanding of 4-H. It was heart-warming to listen to their experiences. Times were so different, yet very similar in many ways.”
“It provided us with so many learning opportunities. Several of the people we interviewed told us how much it meant to them to have their story told.”

One Adult participant shared observations as well:

“Participating in this project provided me with the opportunity to have a Youth-Adult partnership; it was a unique experience working side-by-side with the youth. It was not a top-down partnership where I needed to tell them what to do, but a collaboration of working together and equally contributing ideas. Although it was very interesting to hear how 4-H has changed (or not) over the years, it really was dependent on the perspective of the person being interviewed as their experiences and involvement in 4-H varied.”

“Voices of 4-H History” will be a major Feature of Filmfest 4-H 2014

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Tom Tate

Missouri is pleased to announce that FilmFest 4-H, the national 4-H film festival, has been GREENLIGHTED for 2014! This year’s FilmFest will take place at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac in St. Louis, Missouri. St. Louis is home to countless film productions, one of the nation’s top zoos, amazing museums, and of course the world famous Gateway Arch.

Now is the time to get started! The Film Submission form has been posted, and films will be accepted until July 1, 2014. As with last year, there is a 10-minute time limit on films, so that we can screen as many as possible in the most interesting ways. We continue to request that filmmakers avoid scenes that involve youth pointing guns at each other! This will help us give your films the widest possible exposure through 4-H channels, without creating unnecessary complications.

This year’s confirmed categories are:

Narrative
Animation
Documentary
4-H Promotional
“Voices of 4-H History”

This special event connects young filmmaking enthusiasts with film industry professionals and with other youth who share those same interests. Like any national film festival, FilmFest 4-H is a “commuter event.” Festival-goers are free to make the arrangements for travel, lodging, and meals that best fit their needs. Your $129 “All access Pass” is your ticket to the entire event. This includes film screenings, field trips, festivities, meetings, exciting workshops with film industry professionals, and other special opportunities. Registration will be online at the FilmFest 4-H website in the weeks ahead. For more information about the event click on: http://is.gd/9Aeb92.

Youth filmmakers from across the nation will present the products of their film making labor on August 3, 2014, in St. Louis. In 2013, youth filmmakers from more than a dozen states exhibited 38 films that they had produced. Finalists’ films from the 2013 FilmFest 4-H can be seen at: http://4h.missouri.edu/go/events/filmfest/2013/films/ror-wy.htm/.

During 2014, the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Smith-Lever Act, we are hopeful that youth film makers will assist Cooperative Extension in celebrating this centennial by helping capture 4-H history in their state and counties. Youth filmmakers that complete their productions in time to submit them prior to the July 1 judging deadline, will be considered for FilmFest 2014. Films not submitted by July 1, will be considered for FilmFest 2015.

We hope that 4-H alumni, staff, volunteers, club leaders and supporters will reach out, get involved and encourage 4-H’ers to start up “Voices of 4-H History” media projects for sharing at FilmFest 2014.

Training Session for Voices of 4-H History Volunteers

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Larry Krug

Ocean City, Maryland – November 22-24, 2013. The Voices of 4-H History Team will be sharing poster displays and workshops for the 2013 Volunteer and Teen Leadership Forum targeted to all faculty, staff, volunteers, and 4-H youth. Th conference focus will be on the 4-H Core Program Components; developing volunteers, strengthening and expanding the 4-H club program.

Youth and adult leaders in attendance will be able to launch a Voices of 4-H History initiative or club after attending the workshop. Key components will include: viewing good examples of audio/visual products produced by pilot county sites, recruiting youth and adults, selecting good interviewing questions, good sources of editing software and hardware.

Tom Tate.

Smith-Lever Act Centennial

Posted on September 11, 2013 by NewsAdmin

2014 is the Centennial of the Smith-Lever Act, which provided federal funding for the Cooperative Extension Service and, thereby, 4-H programs nationwide. To mark this significant milestone, the National 4-H History Preservation Program is debuting “Voices of Extension History,” drawing on the success of “Voices of 4-H History.” The program is rolling out at the GALAXY IV Conference in Pittsburgh, September 15-19. With all Extension professional associations meeting together, it’s a perfect place to illustrate how 4-H’ers, rapidly learning to document 4-H History through our own “Voices” project, can record and broadcast the vitally important impact made on America’s development by the Cooperative Extension Service. 4-H members are now producing “4-H History” films; from here, they can extend their reach to “Extension History” and document that meaningful impact.Besides news about our participation n GALAXY IV, this month’s Newsletter encourages linking the myriad 4-H History websites, records the dedication of Danforth Court’s “American Girl” statue, includes fun activities to honor the historic legacy of 4-H songs, and seeks help with the Report to the Nation Team. How can you not click to enter?

4-H National History Preservation Newsletter…

4-H History Preservation News

Tag Archives: Voices of 4-H History

Why a National 4-H Film Festival?

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“Voices of 4-H History” will be a major Feature of Filmfest 4-H 2014

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Training Session for Voices of 4-H History Volunteers

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