“Discover You”
Film Camps
Since 2004 I’ve been teaching community art to youth. From dance to theater and film I believe that creativity can be one of several keys to unlocking your true identity.
Through my graduate work in social practice art, I combined my love for filmmaking and passion for identity work to create a unique experience for individuals to use the creative process to produce a personal film while embarking on a journey to self discovery.
In 2017 I started teaching youth film camps. Scroll down to check out some of my students’ work.
Some helpful definitions
First Generation immigrant: Individuals who are foreign-born, which includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, protracted temporary residents (such as long-staying foreign students and migrant workers, but not tourists and family visitors), humanitarian migrants (such as refugees and asylees), and even unauthorized migrants.
1.5 Generation immigrant: Individuals who migrated before their teenaged years. They still maintain their native language and traditions.
Second Generation immigrant: are individuals born and raised in the United States who have at least one foreign-born parent. Although the term is an oxymoron which is often used ambiguously, this definition is cited by major research centers including the United States Census Bureau and the Pew Research Center.
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2023
Film Camps
I worked with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation immigrant young adults to use the creative process of filmmaking to navigate identity. Each of the students held a question throughout the camp and used art as a way to reflect and develop their projects. Each project is an exploration of their personal question. This camp was also the focus of my Master’s thesis in Social Practice Art.
Watch as Jerry explores what he calls “immigrant guilt".
2022
Rio explores what it means to forge her own path through her passion for cooking.
Selah chose to express herself through creating a digital art piece.
“Selah has close relationships with people of different beliefs and cultures. That doesn’t stop her friendship.” - Selah
This was my first year specifically working with 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation young adult immigrants of color. The camp was combination of a safe space to talk about the challenges of growing up as kids of immigrants in America. We initially set out to create a narrative film but the students had such a great time in discussion around mental health that we filmed a round table podcast and had a multicultural potluck to celebrate!
Past Film Camps
IB wonders why he runs away from himself.
Hadessa chose to express herself through singing and songwriting as she explored the question about perfectionism.