THE GRIOT SPEAKS: REFLECTING ON A YEAR OF CHALLENGES
Ages 16-24
Winter 2021, Online
In this distance learning workshop student fellows will explore art and storytelling as means of mastering and transforming imperfect or even negative realities into entertainment. Working from what they’ve experienced and witnessed on local, national, and even global stages over the past year, they’ll experiment with a range of storytelling modes and effects, creating work that is suspenseful, funny, horrifying, emotionally moving, or all of the above. They’ll discover how shaping and sharing their experiences can relieve anxiety, and they’ll have opportunity to express insights and wisdom gained. They’ll learn both technical and aesthetic aspects of videography, as well the principles of storytelling. Meetings will be live-interactive discussions via Zoom, and may be supplemented by prerecorded instructional videos on specific production skills. Their work will be shared on the program website and through a virtual exhibition. Limited to 12 student fellows.
The Griot Speaks: Reflecting on a Year of Challenges is a co-production of Baltimore Youth Film Arts and Griot Works, a program of Afrikan Youth Alchemy.
Ras Tre Subira is Founding Director of Griot's Eye and Afrikan Youth Alchemy.
Babatunde E. Salaam is a filmmaker, instructor, and program director with Griot’s Eye, a media program in Baltimore serving the cultural and creative needs of urban youth. He has produced shorts exploring narratives of youth entrepreneurship, education, and the prison industrial complex.
