Worcester Roots has incubated the Future Focus Media Co-op, which has the following mission:
This collaboration produces high quality video,photography and audio,while training youth in TV and film production with the goals of building youth’s job skills and creating powerful stories.
In the summer of 2011, Future Focus did a pilot project, which trained 5 students from Worcester to produce short films / documentaries and produce and/or direct music videos. The training will took place at Worcester Roots’ office, at DB Studios, and at the Worcester’s Youth Center. This included time for field research, hands on camera training and to accommodate film projects and post-production time.
Completion of the course included completion of a 4-6 minute short film produced by each youth on a topic that affects youths living in the City of Worcester.
Youth participants are people of color,low-income,and those who otherwise would not have access to this kind of training,with a potential focus in the future on out of school youth. Graduating youth have been connected to potential internship and job opportunities with groups such as the Worcester Energy Barnraisers and Mosaic Culture Complex, as well as options for local film festivals and events for showcasing their work.
Future Focus Media Co-op is the principle founder of a new film festival: Central Mass Film Festival!
