This winter, the Saint PaulNeighborhood Network (SPNN) Youth Division is partnering with Saint Paul Parksand Recreation to offer the Neighborhood Video Project in West 7th — a freevideo workshop for middle-school aged youth. The Project offers participatingyouth the opportunity to learn the history of their neighborhoods in order toproduce their communities’ histories in video. The project runs for 12 weeks,from February 2 through April 17, based at Palace Rec. Center. This program isfunded by the St. Paul Public Schools Foundation.

SPNN’s goal is to build communitythrough television, and to teach participants video production skills such ascamera operation and editing as well as historical research techniques and oralhistory practices. Through research and interviews with neighborhood residentsand experts, participants will learn more about their neighborhood aftercompleting the program.

Participating youth will collaboratewith filmmakers, historians and community members to create their pieces —short video projects about neighborhood history and current life — and usetheir videos to increase visibility of neighborhood issues.

SPNN Youth is accepting applicationsfor participants and for a filmmaker consultant to work in the project as aninstructor and sounding board. Middle school aged youth who live or attendschool in the West 7th neighborhood can participate. There is no applicationprocess, but registration before the program starts is required.

The filmmaker consultants teach visualstorytelling, using examples from their own work where relevant, and assistwith technical instruction and support. The consultants help with creatingscripts and writing interview questions. They are present during shoots tooffer suggestions and support. Filmmaker consultants may act as first critics,providing input on rough cuts of videos and offering editing and additionalshooting suggestions.

Whenever possible, consultants arehired who live and work in the neighborhood. Interested students or consultantapplicants may contact Mary Pumphrey, Neighborhood Video Project Coordinator,at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it SPNN Youth. 375 Jackson Street, Suite 250, Saint Paul,Minnesota 55101. 651.298.8903, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it