"Montreal Matters: Shoot First, Answer Questions Later"
"Shoot First, Answer Questions Later: Youth as Media
Producers"
Typically, the topic of youth is raised in public debate when young
people are hurting themselves or others; failing at literacy,
learning or life; or damaging or stealing property. And when youth
are spoken about, they are usually spoken for by journalists,
police officers, psychologists, teachers and parents. Given the
opportunity to seize the camera and the mic, to shoot first and to
direct the action, youth tell stories and share perspectives not
captured by youth experts and authorities.
As the means and methods of communication change, new
opportunities arise for meaningful intergenerational dialogue.
While much attention is paid to frivolous and hurtful
manifestations of youth voice - the goofy antics of YouTubers and
the mean-spirited actions of cyberbullies - the powerful,
passionate examples of contemporary youth media expression go
largely unnoticed in the public sphere.
Intended for the general public, this interactive session brings
together academics, community activists, media specialists and
young media producers to explore how youth-made and youth-led media
can change our perceptions of youth culture and life in a rapidly
changing world.
Led by Michael Hoechsmann and Bronwen Low, authors of Reading
Youth Writing: New Literacies, Cultural Studies and Education,
the panelists will explore a range of youth-made and youth-led
media productions, including older (film, video and radio) and
newer (remix and mash-up) forms. Their goal is to share ideas,
challenge conventional assumptions and identify new paths for
future discussions in youth and media studies.
Panelists:
- Alyssa Kuzmarov, founder and director of Productions Oracle
- Janice Dayle, journalist and arts professional
- Maureen Marovitch, filmmaker and co-owner of Picture This Productions
- Giuliana Cucinelli, leader of mProject and Concordia Faculty Lecturer
Moderated by Michael Hoechsmann and Bronwen Low, McGill Education professors and researchers of youth cultural production.
Online Registration is available on Alumnilife.