The morning started with some administration. After everyone was done, the official opening of the REactor conference begun at 9:30. Kriszta Zsiday opened the event where she presented the Video Volunteers project and the main events of the upcoming days.

After the opening Andrew Hannes gave us some information about an exhibition which will be held just outside the big conference room. This exhibition is providing the opportunity for everyone to share their work with the rest of the group throughout the duration of the whole conference. The exhibited objects could be photos, videos, flyers/books/videos/badges of volunteer organisations, etc. The exhibition was opened after a one hour break. Everyone who was willing to share and contribute said a few words about themselves and the organisation/values they are representing.

After lunch, there was an interesting session with Helen Goss about consumers and creators in which she helped us to find out what youngsters want to communicate using multimedia and new forms of media by showing its challenges and facts obtained by research. Some information was shared regarding the major reactions of the young people and the ways to evolve individually by personal development.

60 words from Helen Goss session

Here is Helen’s Powerpoint Presentation to download for your notes. The following is an overview of what was in the presentation.

An analysis of ‘what is a consumer & what is a creator in this new media age’
Current opinions about the state of play in opinions of Yong People and Media/New media
Looking at engagement through a history of technology
Thinking about how we use technology today to communicate our message
What it is to be a digital native?
Are Young people interested in ‘Creating ‘ or ‘Consuming’? and techniques I employ to find out
The current push in the UK to encourage Young People become creators of their own technology
What this means to you personally
Suggestions of challenges/good practice to start a group list investigating what is needed to help Young People engage in creating, using new technologies
What I want to get from this week and how the participants can get involved

The rest of the day, paralell workshops were offered and whoever was interested could join. Sofia introduced media analysis, Andrew presented the topic of audiovisual media, and last but not least Peter talked about social messages.

The closing event of the day was a screening of freely chosen short films and videos. We watched films with all kinds of themes, for example documentary films, promo films and home-made videos. I think the participants who watched the films haven’t experienced any disappointment.

Thank you all for the experience!

20.05.2012

by Em Muri

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