Look Inside to Be Screened at the Burns Film Center

The Jacob Burns Film Center will premiere screen a film project created through a filmmaking program the JBFC offered at the Westchester County Jail, with the support of the Westchester County Government's Department of Correction and Southern Westchester BOCES. The film Look Inside, will have its premiere on Wednesday, April 7 at 7:00 pm.

This film was created by eight young men from the county jail through the BOCES Incarcerated Youth Program (IYP). The screening of the short film will be followed by a panel discussion with the student filmmakers, and JBFC and IYP staff. This program was not funded with taxpayer dollars.

The digital video project was piloted in the Westchester County Jail in the fall of 2008. “The program integrates core literacy skills with 21st century digital media tools to give students the opportunity for self-expression, communication, and skills to navigate today's workplace,” said JBFC Director of Education Programs Emily Keating. “We are very proud of the work produced by these students and we look forward to screening their work at the JBFC Theater.”

To view the promotional trailer, please visit http://www.burnsfilmcenter.org/education/screening-room.

The class was integrated into the inmates’ full-day BOCES program, which includes literacy for nonreaders, high school academics, GED preparation, life skills, career development and computer skills – all intended to help them function more productively during incarceration and after release. Digital filmmaking programs are also offered at JBFC’s Media Arts Lab, a 21st century state-of-the-art media education center located down the street from the JBFC Theater in Pleasantville.

The students met for several hours a week over the course of eight weeks. They completed one collaborative 20-minute short documentary on the subject of looking “inside”, chronicling both the day-to-day life experiences of incarceration, and the students’ individual self-reflections. The students gained experience with digital video cameras, sound kits, conducting interviews, and editing with Final Cut Pro Express, the industry standard editing software.

The program was taught by JBFC Education Faculty members Sean Weiner and Mike Kraus, who also teach several programs at the JBFC’s Media Arts Lab. The program was originally developed in collaboration with Mike Kraus, curriculum designer, independent video journalism trainer and freelancer. He has developed several video journalism programs with students, including X Marks the Spot, a project for teenagers from an under-resourced community in England. He also worked as a video journalist for BBC.

The premiere will be held at the Jacob Burns Film Center Theater, 364 Manville Road in Pleasantville. The screening is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending should RSVP to Alana Benoit at 914.773.7663, ext. 423 or abenoit@burnsfilmcenter.org.