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| Logan and Tae'sean shooting at The Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio for their media projects on the Midtown Grid, Central Avenue's new arts and entertainment district. |
Have camera, will travel. Interns from the New School Center for Media are helping the Central Avenue Business Improvement District with new media projects, including the exciting new ArtTV program. The interns are getting exposure to a real-world working environment, and learning new skills and techniques that will make them more marketable to prospective employers.
"Hands-on experience is vital to students getting the training they need to be competitive and ultimately succeed in the industry. It allows them to put the theory they learn into practice, hone their skills and be better prepared for getting their first industry job," says Janielle Krawcyzk, Director of Education, New School Center for Media.
But the interns aren't the only ones who benefit! The BID is enjoying access to a team of trained media professionals.
"Having interns from the New School really enables us to grow our marketing program," says Molly Belmont, Marketing and Communications Director for the Central Avenue Business Improvement District. "Logan and Tae'sean have been able to create new videos to promote our businesses, and create programming for ArtTV, our new transit art program, and it all helps us grow our reach."
The students have interviewed a number of business owners in the district to create videos to promote the Midtown Grid, the arts and culture district that is emerging around the intersection of Quail and Central. The students have also shot footage on the street, and interviewed local residents about the unique array of arts and entertainment that take place right in the district.
Central Avenue has become known as a destination for canny, one-of-a-kind entertainment options. The street offers great live music performances in intimate settings, outstanding international cuisine, and it also opens its doors to a wide array of local artists, including the Albany Poets, Urban Guerilla Theatre, Upstate Independent Filmmakers Network, Tsehaya and Co. dance company, and the Pine Hills Review. These groups produce a refreshing array of engaging entertainment every week, right in the center of the district, and within easy walking distance of 9 international restaurants.
"Through the partnership with Central BID, students are exposed to new people and experiences that they otherwise may never have known about," Krawcyzk says. "They have discovered just how active Albany is – how much there is to see, do and participate in. They have met some amazing artists that shared with them their passion for creating and the creative process itself. It has opened their eyes to just how robust this area really is."
The videos are expected to be released later this summer, and will be available on Vimeo and YouTube.
