Problem: The Philadelphia Public School System educates thousands of children each year from the city. Media Arts Education across the school district lacks in most schools. In their schools this can be seen to be increasingly lacking in the middle school grade levels of schooling. Surrounding schools district outside of the city have a much higher amount of access for all art education programs including media arts. Philadelphia Public School students deserve nothing but the best access to media arts education.
Solution: Philmed is an after-school program dedicated to getting Philly public school-children excited about filmmaking and creative learning. Our curriculum focuses on teaching the practices of filmmaking such videography, video editing, directing, and more. Students are enrolled across Philadelphia ranging from 6th–8th Grade. Students who complete the program in 8th Grade can enter the Philmed Festival, this provides students with a space to showcase their hard work and compete in a scholarship competition. The program is made possible by local film sponsors such as the M.Night Shyamalan foundation, which allow this curriculum to be integrated as an after school program, pay our staff, and provide professional grade equipment to each school.
This organization functions through a network of paid instructors who are capable/willing to teach the children of Philadelphia about film, storytelling, and creativity. Philmed as well has a ton of support from volunteers like active members of the community, independent filmmakers, and Philadelphia video production studios.
PhilmEd Mission Statement: “To connect Philadelphia schoolchildren with an engaging outlet that nurtures their creative spirits and provides them a sense of responsibility.”
Philmed Intro Boxes are provided for each student involved in the program. These materials allow students to create their own productions both while at school and at home.
Materials in the Intro Box includes a megaphone, clapper, mini tripod, directors hat, and a portable camera.
Philmed Festival 2020 at the Mifflin School scholarship competition event invite.
Philmed Festival 2020 at the Mifflin School scholarship competition poster advertisement.
A city-wide bus shelter viral marketing campaign. This advertising creates an interactive experience for viewers to take a photograph of themselves in front of the cut-out and post it on social media explaining why they are From Philly for Philly using the hashtag #wearephilmed.
