Using Journalism, Multimedia and Performing Arts to Create Young Heroes.

Creating Heroes 2010-2011 Brochure

Journalism, multimedia and Performing

arts are Powerful tools through which

individuals and grouPs can be emPow-

ered, confidence and social skills can be

develoPed, under rePresented sections of

society can be rePresented, new identities

and content can be created, and a strong

Platform for PeoPle to creatively exPress

their feelings, emotions, thoughts and

ideas can be Provided.

about usA hero deliberately and courageously over-

comes obstacles for the benefit of others

without regard to personal consequences.

Conquered obstacles are the only qualify-

ing credentials of heroes and a measure of

one’s own hidden powers.

Heroes embrace obstacles as opportunities

for growth, utilize fear as a means to show

courage, protect and maintain the dignity of

their adversaries, crusade compassionately

for those unable to speak for themselves,

and celebrate diversity for the enrichment

of mankind.

who is a hero?

We all need inspirational heroes as role

models for our lives, businesses, and

wider values. Unfortunately, today’s he-

roes are often sports figures, celebrities,

and rock stars whose lives are laced

with controversy as well as frequent

appearances in courtrooms. Our young

adults, however, need exemplary heroes

with proven values demonstrating

respect for their fellow humans.

They need to witness conflict resolution

practices ending in peaceful solu-

tions with dignity and respect being

preserved for all sides. They need to

understand and value a work ethic

showing the rewards for diligence and

quality coupled with the many benefits

of continuing our education throughout

our lives.

Forgiveness should preside over re-

venge, but today this isn’t true.

Tolerance should rule over frivolous

lawsuits and conflict, but news media

reports imply the opposite.

Acceptance, learning and respect for

another’s diversity should easily out-

shine the dull residue of prejudice, but

currently they do not.

This is why we need to create heroes.

why do we need heroes?

We instil the value of looking within to

find inspiration rather than relying on

those on the outside. Armed with the

weapons of excellence, dignity, and en-

durance, we teach others the awesome

potential of being super-human through

mentoring, education, reporting, and

positive focus.

The mission is to inspire young people

and adults to investigate and challenge

the world around them, enhance their

personal development and promote

their right to make a difference. Using

Journalism and Multimedia to tell sto-

ries creatively, to engage audiences, to

communicate, and to unleash the power

that lies within each and every one of us

to change things for ourselves.

We acknowledge the heroes of Journal-

ism, Media, Performing Arts, Politics

and Sport from the past. We utilize the

skill-set from these same heroes of the

present. And then we create the super

heroes of Journalism, Media, Perform-

ing Arts, Politics and Sport for the

future.

We find and nurture these heroes in

schools, colleges, youth centres, proba-

tion services and YOT teams. We go

outreach and find these heroes in the

streets, in the parks, in the home, and in

a variety of hard to reach locations.

what do we do? how do we do it?

“we have every right to dream heroic

dreams. those who say that we’re in a

time when there are no heroes, they Just

don’t know where to look.”

- ronald reagan

Govern yourself by never allowing

another’s behavior to negatively influ-

ence your conduct. Your actions are

always your responsibility; they are

never another’s fault. Determine your

behavior from your values, from the kind

of person you want to be -- never from

how others behave toward you.

Realise that obstacles are not barri-

ers to your goals, but opportunities for

growth and challenges to enrich your

self-confidence by mastering new skills.

A person having reached a goal without

overcoming obstacles has learned noth-

ing and accomplished even less. Con-

quered obstacles are the only qualifying

credentials of heroes and a measure of

one’s commitment and leadership.

Encourage positive change, not through

criticism, but through your continuous

achievements of excellence for all to

witness. When criticized by others, offer

continual examples of excellence as

your only response.

Enhance one’s self-esteem, not from

the opinions of others, but from the

compassionate causes one has em-

braced and the perseverance and cour-

age expended toward their resolve.

Envision things as wonderful as they

can be, not as they are, and then strive

to create positive change toward these

envisioned goals. All great accomplish-

ments started as a vision that others

could not see.

Give simply to increase the amount of

goodness in the world -- often without

recognition or reward. Give more to oth-

ers than you receive in return, and care-

fully sustain this inequity as a distinctive

characteristic of your leadership.

attributes of a hero:

behavior

obstacles

change

self-esteem

vision

comPassion

Honor and respect fear, for it alone of-

fers you an opportunity to demonstrate

courage.

Without regard to consequences, cou-

rageously fulfill the obligations of being

human by revering all life, defending the

righteous, promoting peace, inspiring

compassion, protecting the environ-

ment, spreading joy, and sharing your

assets* with those less fortunate.

courage

character

Never give up. Most perceived failures

are not failures at all, but instead suc-

cessfully completed stepping-stones to-

ward a goal. The only time you can fail

is if you quit perusing your goals.

Observe, but never judge. Seek out the

differences in others and then celebrate

them, for such diversity is the true pot-

pourri of humanity and will enrich you

with the knowledge and wisdom of the

human experience.

Honor all commitments and obligations

to everyone. Your pledge should be as

meaningful to a king as to a beggar, for

the value of a commitment is deter-

mined from its source, not to whom it is

directed.

Serve enthusiastically as a spokes-

person for the accomplishments and

concerns of others. Attentive leaders

crusade for the injustices, issues, ideas,

and achievements of those less able to

speak for themselves and give ample

recognition for their origin.

While engaging your adversaries always

maintain their dignity. This is the only

road to lasting peace.

Uphold this Value System, especially

under adverse conditions, not to please

someone else, but to honor the unfalter-

ing principles within you, to validate

your character as the type of person

you want to be, and to gradually realize

the awesome potential of being human.

Perseverance

Judging

trust

recognition

conflict

values

using Journalism and multimedia tools

to engage children and young PeoPle in

decision-making:

we live in a digital age. multimedia tools Provide a wealth of new ways to engage young PeoPle, exPlore issues, record views and creatively communicate about the changes young PeoPle want to see. Journalism instills an inquisitive aPProach to investigate and challenge the world around us.

multimedia

Videos and audio recordings for:TV / Radio / Online / Print / or ALL:Podcasting / Video Casting (using youtube, ustream, vimeo)Print Newsletters / Email news letters

Digital photos / photography

Interactive maps

Online surveys

Text messages

Electronic voting

Online discussion spaces and communities / forums

Games

so what is

multimedia?

creating, Publishing and sharing multimedia online

e.g. through video sharing websites,

interactive mapping sites, blogs and

social networks.

creating content

ie: audio, video, print, online and

sharing as podcast, blog, short film,

documentary, or radio show. Incorporat-

ing a range of media to tell a story or for

reporting.

building communities online

where participants can keep in touch

and share ideas, interests and views

with each other.

building online discussion sPaces

where a group can come together to

explore an issue, make decisions and

plan for action. Discussions can be

based around shared media, such as a

video or map.

listening

keeping track of conversations that are

taking place online on a particular issue.

how to use multimedia?

There are many reasons to think about

adding multimedia tools into the mix

when you are exploring how children

and young people can be engaged

in influencing decisions and creating

change.

engaging and fun

Using multimedia tools can turn a par-

ticipation activity into a fun and engag-

ing project. Reaching more children and

young people Online tools and social

media can help an individual, a project

or an organization to reach out to and

engage with more children and young

people from across a wider geographi-

cal area. They can enable groups to

keep in touch between meetings. They

can also open up a conversation to chil-

dren and young people who may not be

able to take part in physical participa-

tion events and activities.

fostering creativity

Using multimedia tools encourages

creative thinking and creative expres-

sion. It can allow individuals and groups

to explore new ideas in new ways. Cre-

ative thinking can lead to new solutions

to old problems.

Process and Product

The process of using multimedia tools

to explore an issue can provide a focus

and structure for discussion, collabora-

tion and decision-making.

Multimedia tools can create a record

of that process. Often you will also be

working towards a ‘product’ that shares

children and young people’s views,

insights and experiences on the issues

that matter to them.

why use multimedia and social media?

a right to different media of exPression: article 13

Article 13 of the UN Convention on the

Rights of the Child gives children and

young people the right to express their

views and ideas ‘either orally, in writ-

ing or in print, or in the form of art, or

through any other media of the child’s

choice’.

authenticity

When children and young people’s

views are written down by adults in a

paper report, a lot of the information

shared by children and young people

(in tone of voice, body language and

phrasing) can be lost. Using multimedia

tools to record and share children and

young people’s views can help present

a more authentic account of what a

group want or think about an issue.

offering insights and sharing stories

Multimedia tools can give decision

makers insight into children and young

people’s lived experiences, as well as

information about what children and

young people think and want.

more than Just ParticiPa-tion: added benefits

Children and young people can gain

new skills: learning to use new technol-

ogies; learning about film making and

editing; learning about how to produce

and publish content online; and building

their media literacy skills.

accessibility and inclusion

Multimedia tools can engage children

and young people who may be exclud-

ed by other participation methods. They

can also be used to work with diverse

groups of children and young people.

For example, the How To guide on

working with children and young people

with communication impairments sug-

gests using audio and video recording

to engage communication impaired

children and young people.

Using multimedia tools like video in

participation also allows children and

young people who may not feel com-

fortable ‘in front of the camera’ or ‘in

the limelight’ of a participation project

to take up roles behind the camera or

behind the scenes – where they can still

have an influence on the process.

Multimedia and social media can be used

in loads of different ways.

Our aim is to facilitate the involvement

of children and young people to work

as strong individuals within a team to

create and communicate in a variety of

ways

We explore how multimedia and Jour-

nalism tools fit into exploring proposed

outcomes. This is in consultation with

the wider group.

We motivate young people to explore

all creative avenues of expression and

to utilize the fun, interactive and afford-

able ways they can create media.

where does multi-

media come in the

Process?

This list can help demonstrate what

Multimedia, Journalism tools and social

media can be used for:

context setting

Introducing discussions and providing

key information and insights about an

issue.

creativity and creative exPression

Engaging children and young people

and exploring and expressing ideas in

different creative media.

conversation

Starting and hosting discussions in

the spaces where children and young

people are active.

the 7 cs of multimedia for ParticiPation:

consultation

Using the internet and interactive tools

to ask for children and young people’s

views in dynamic and accessible ways.

Also getting out and about recording

vox pops, surveys, interviewing.

collaboration

Providing a space (online) where

children and young people can work

together across boundaries.

camPaigning

Engaging with a wider range of people

to convince them of the need for chang-

es and gain their support for change.

change

the goal of participation and

something that can be celebrated

through multimedia and social media.

“i have a great deal of resPect 4 the

Power that the arts can have. aesthet-

ics are often more accessible than sterile

intellectual treatments & if these two

communication mediums are combined, they

can have an incredibly Powerful effect.”

- Peter JosePh

the arts

Performance Arts, culture and creative media have always gone hand in glove with activism and social movements looking towards change.

As writer and activist Arundhati Roy has said, writers and artists are almost morally obliged during times like these to take a stand and reflect on what is happening in the world around them.

Perhaps most importantly there is a huge untapped possibility for using arts and creative educational media to help engage children and the younger generation with the critical issues of our time. They are not only the ones who will inherit the mess cre-ated by previous generations, but also the ones who most need a voice to help us all transcend the current crisis.

utilizing the arts

Back in 1992, at the first Earth Summit

in Rio, a 12-year-old Seven Suzuki

made an impassioned plea to the as-

sembled on behalf of children around

the world, leaving many in the audience

visibly shaken. It later transpired that

her speech had a major impact on many

world leaders.

Maybe we can use creative media to

encourage more youth leaders to make

such an impact in our current climate?

so by also incorPorating the arts into our remit...

We at Creating Heroes recognize just

how capable and undervalued the

younger generation can be. Through

use of performance arts and with input

from both established and up and com-

ing talents from various specialisms,

we strive towards nurturing and then

unleashing raw talents. In particularly

of those growing numbers who are

falling through the gaps as society,

family, schools and the many religious

institutions struggle to stay in tune with

a shifting world order. It’s about seeing

what happens when unique individu-

als are given the creative freedom to

surprise, delight and shock us with their

potential, and thereby valuing the real

essence of diversity today.

We have been building effective links

across a wide remit, and continue to

work closely with a network of local

authority inclusion teams, schools and

other agencies dealing with alterna-

tive provision. We aim to pay particular

focus on young people who, despite

any circumstances and adversity, show

signs of talent and individuality - be it

through their passion, enquiring mind

and curiosity, or through their untapped

flashback examPle

potential if not through proven academ-

ic achievement. Our radar for spotting

spark is second to none. Our ability to

find and unleash the super hero that

we strongly believe lies within us all...

again, is proving to be second to none!

Look out for the multimedia content

to be showcased across all the http://

www.creatingheroes.org social network-

ing sites. And look out for the growing

number of well-known celebrity names

who will be joining our movement to

inspire super heroes of today... to be-

come the super heroes of tomorrow.

“in a decaying society, art, if it is truth-

ful, must also reflect decay. and unless

it wants to break faith with its social

function, art must show the world as

changeable. and helP to change it.”

- ernst fischer

Our intervention seeks to empower a

movement towards which young people

themselves proactively seek to make

positive changes to their wider environ-

ment, armed with the skills and the

confidence to do so. We also believe

that peer support provides those who

naturally possess the will to help and be

involved in our wider commitment, an

opportunity to give back what they have

learnt and feel a sense of purpose in

their daily existence.

Peer support is based on the fact that

young people most often seek out

other young people when they are

experiencing some concern or worry.

Peer helping relies strongly on commu-

nication to encourage self-exploration

and decision-making. Much of our

Youth & Community experiences have

taught us that rather than encouraging

a reactionary response to problem solv-

ing, preventative methods are far more

effective in minimizing risk behaviors

and situations. Much of this can be hard

to reach for service professionals and

so by encouraging a community spirit

amongst young people themselves an

effective avenue of support opens up.

Peer helpers/supporters are NOT pro-

fessional counsellors or therapists, they

are young people who offer supervised

support to other young people to help

them think through and reflect on con-

cerns, which they may be experiencing.

Peer helpers are given training to pro-

vide a non-judgmental, active approach

to listening, which encourages others to

express and explore their frustrations.

The basis of any peer support network

is the understanding that those involved

have similar characteristics to those

being helped, for example in age or life

experience.

suPerhero Peer suPPort:

how can Peer suPPorters helP?

Peer helpers may be involved in any of

the following:

Helping young people with learning.

Helping younger or new pupils.

Assisting with topics of concern to

other pupils.

Assisting pupils in resolving disputes.

Helping others to sort out concerns,

brainstorm ideas & offer practical

help.

Reaching out to lonely or troubled

pupils.

Providing the benefit of their own

life experience + motivation towards

change, utilizing multimedia tools

or simply through the art of honest,

heartfelt communication.

so why do you need us?

We are a network of dedicated creative

professionals from all areas of Media

and the Arts all coming together with

one aim in mind: To motivate, inspire,

and create the future super heroes

of Multimedia, Journalism and the

Performing Arts. Whether the aim is to

engage individuals 1:1 or to facilitate

group based training and interven-

tions, we are the team to call to tailor a

program to suit individual and collective

needs. Each of our training facilitators is

hand picked and brought on board for

their super-hero status in their specialist

areas of expertise. Each of them is ac-

tively involved in the creative industries

and operate both independently and on

behalf of a range of organizations. They

are in positions to be able to offer more

than just consultation and training and

can also provide real-life advice and

information for those seeking careers

in similar fields and may also be able to

provide opportunities for placements

and work experience. As a minimum

they will instil a thirst for knowledge and

encourage you to be inquisitive about

wider issues around us all.

In addition to our training facilitators we

have built up a network of industry men-

tors from every known area of expertise,

and from a range of industries who will

offer their time and their valued contact

as part of our intervention. Opportuni-

ties to visit them whilst in their studio,

on set, on tour, on stage or simply join-

ing them during a day of leisure.

Both up and coming and established

Filmmakers, Producers, Directors,

Presenters, Music artists, Journalists,

Actors, Fashion designers, Artists,

Poets, Writers, and Sports personalities

are part of our pool of mentors. And the

list of names and contacts each of our

industry supporter’s offer is growing by

the day. We are also firmly linked in to

PR teams and management companies

who regularly provide unique opportuni-

ties during a range of industry promo-

tions.

As ever-growing super-heroes our-

selves, we also look back at our own

unique journeys that led towards the

path we now find ourselves on. We

recognize the obstacles and the chal-

lenges facing the next generation of

potential super-heroes and we feel it is

our responsibility to go beyond the call

of duty to motivate, inspire and support

the young individuals who may need

a helping hand to unleash the hidden

powers that lie within them all. We help

shift the focus on potential rather than

limitations.

“if you always Put limits on everything

you do, Physical or anything else. it will

sPread into your work and into your life.

there are no limits. there are only Pla-

teaus, and you must not stay there, you

must go beyond them.”

- bruce lee

toPics of sPecialism:

Current Affairs, Arts, Entertainment,

Cinema, Music, Celebrity, International

News, Politics, Society, Gangs, Drugs,

Law & Crime, Identity and Culture,

Sexuality, Health & Beauty, Media &

Leisure, Sport, Family & Relationships,

Technology, Religion & Spirituality, Envi-

ronment, The natural world, Education,

Young people & Rights.

our commitment:

We are dedicated to our existence as a

community interest company providing

a range of corporate and community

based media training and production.

We will create innovative content with

the potential of being commissioned or

showcased via a range of avenues. We

are committed to working in partnership

with local, national and international

groups who share similar ideals and

ethically look towards inspiring positive

change both locally and across wider

parameters. Our students will be men-

tored towards using our intervention as

a gateway towards building a career in

Media or Performance Art, and gaining

accredited qualifications, or will simply

use the experience to build a more en-

hanced appreciation and understanding

of the world around them. At the very

least, they will find the super hero that

lies within us all.

http://www.creatingheroes.org

Contact:

info@creatingheroes.org

for all enquiries.

Associates:

get involved...contact...suPPort...insPire...

be insPired...sPread the word...!

BRING a range of featured multimedia

links with the many heroes (and villains!)

of our time- past, present + future. Feel

free to suggest us your list of names...

HOST debates, chat shows, seminars,

events, showcases, theatre projects,

and performances.

PROVIDE mediation, mentoring, life

coaching, advice, information, and links

with partnership agencies and projects

tailored to diverse needs.

ENCOURAGE community spirit, cohe-

sion, proactive effort, support, creativity,

understanding, empathy, peer support,

opportunities, accountability.

STRIVE to motivate, inspire, nurture,

communicate, develop, grow, improve.

acknowledgements:

http://www.nya.org.uk/

http://www.practicalparticipation.co.uk/

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/

http://www.changemakers.org.uk/

and for our love of suPer heroes:

http://www.marvel.com/

http://www.superherodb.com/

imPortant info for commissioners:

http://publications.everychildmatters.gov.uk/

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