Reel Earth: New Orleans

Remedee is breaking ground with today's launch of Reel Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Reel Earth:

Reel Earth is a global program to enable young people to collectively create a series of documentary films that explore the link between global environmental degradation and their own personal realities. The tone is urgent yet hopeful, inspiring participants to rise to action, as well as generate awareness among their peers, consumers and policymakers.

New Orleans:

This summer’s program in New Orleans will serve as a launching pad for Reel Earth. This communitywide project will engage the diversity of kids and environmental issues that exist across the gulf region.

Taking place this summer, July 20 through August 28, Reel Earth: New Orleans takes the form of a film competition, consisting of small groups of young filmmakers and their mentors from across the city and surrounding regions. Each group will focus on a different environmental topic and its impact on their everyday lives.

For Example: A team of five students, one seasoned film mentor, and an environmental expert will explore the effects of toxic waste in their neighborhood following Hurricane Katrina

Program Outline:

· Kicks off with a three-day overnight wilderness retreat at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center in Fairhope, Alabama. Students take a break from their urban environments and are immersed in nature for an intensive training program in film and environmental studies.
· Six weeks of documentary film production: storyboarding, shooting, interviewing, editing, etc.
· Launch of a new interactive video website, where students will create online profiles and upload projects (roll-out slated for September 1, 2008).
· A “green carpet” screening for kids, families, and the community where the best films and ideas will be determined by panel of peer judges.
· Winners will receive seed money for a lasting, local environmental project (e.g. a community garden or consumer campaign to boycott Cypress Mulch).

Partners:

Pew Charitable Trusts
Gulf Restoration Network
Upward Bound
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Louisiana Bucket Brigade
The Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development

*see our blogroll for more friends and partners of Remedee*