In Lights, Camera, Community, a weekly after-school program at the Main Library, high school students have been learning the basics of video production and putting their new skills into practice. Earlier this year, students worked together to film, edit, and produce two videos that you can now watch on the library’s YouTube channel.
“They recorded the video, set up the equipment, and some were courageous enough to be on camera,” says Programming Specialist James Turner (aka Mr. T). “Everyone has a story, a purpose, and here is proof.”
See the students’ work
In one video, students interview one another and library staff:
A second video shares the story of the program itself:
Both are full of beautifully composed scenes showing how young people come to the library for social connection and belonging, participating in consistent activities run by trusted adults.
“I love the energy that teens bring,” says Manager of Middle and High School Services (MHS) Latonia Jackson on camera. “I love the fact that they help me stay young. They kinda help me stay in the know with pop culture. And teens are so authentic, so real. I just like feeling like I have a part in shaping and molding them to be who they are right now, but then also to become who they desire to be.”
Storytelling, community & self-advocacy
The interactive Lights, Camera, Community program—which is now wrapping up for this school year but will return in the fall—is centered around storytelling, community, and self-advocacy.
“I would say the moment that made me most proud during the program was when I could just go set up the camera and set up the lighting and know what I was actually doing,” said student Giovanni Uzokwe. “And helping the mentors set up everything. Because at the start of the program it was pretty hard to know what I was doing, but I think what made me really proud was just seeing that improvement that I made.”
Mr. T, who led the high schoolers along with Fred Brandstrader, a local artist and founder of A. New Variety, says the experience has been valuable to him as well.
“Just like I taught you guys about production,” James says on camera to a teen interviewer, “you taught me a lot about being a mentor, teaching, and just showing up as the best version of yourself that day.”
“A lot of people say young people are our future,” he adds. “No, young people are our now.”