Blog Archive

14 February 2008

Award Winners


Inspired Youth are delighted to inform you that the Arts Fusion project has won a Brook Exceptional Achievement Award for 'Intervention of the year.'

We were honoured to collect the award on behalf of Burnholme Community College and praised the work of the young people, highlighting the power of youth voice. Brooks Chief Executive said that the judges were unanimous in their decision and were very impressed by the level of youth involvement throughout the project.

10 January 2008

The Fusion Crew Hit Brook Conference





As the final stage of their project the Arts Fusion crew present their work to the 'Motivate, Engage, Inspire' conference organised by The Government Office of Yorkshire & Humber and the Government Office of The North East in association with Brook and supported by Beyer.

They even managed to fit in an interview with Minster FM and BBC Radio York!

As promised the DVD's will be sent to each conference delegate asap.

We'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the project, please contact us on:

cj@inspiredyouth.org
kev@inspiredyouth.org

Peace

CJ

14 December 2007

Jake's Arts Award Video Diary Entry

Here is an entry for Jake's Arts Award diary. The video diary entry explores Jakes overview of the project and what he has learnt and includes his views on the Gravity Control Breakdance performance at Burnholme Community College.


21 November 2007

ITV showcase your talent

Arts Fusion crew your campaign is now on the internet hosted by ITVlocal. Here is the address you will need http://www.itvlocal.com/yorkshire/locallife/

When you get on the site there is a panel of films on the right where you will find the fusion Nizzle.

Amazing work. Well done.

9 November 2007

ARTS FUSION is making waves...

Now then Arts Fusion crew, Inspired Youth are coming to Burnholme to update you on the success of the project since its completion and talk to you about arts award. You have all the potential to get your arts award completed and we will explain what you need to do to complete the process. See you on Monday 12th December 9am-10am. Peace IY

1 August 2007

Press Coverage

Arts Fusion crew, the project was featured by the Evening Press. Your voice is out there being heard. Here is the link to the Evening Press Website where you can watch the bluetooth campaign movies. How cool is that?!

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/search/display.var.1585582.0.school_spotlight_on_teen_pregnancies.php

Peace Out
Inspired Youth

20 July 2007

Arts Fusion | A youth Campaign

Welcome to Arts Fusion, a youth campaign, designed and produced by young people around teen pregnancy. The extended schools pilot empowered young people to find their voice and express their ideas through a fusion of arts. Inspired youth ran the project with Burnholme Community College. Such was the quality of the work the participants created, it has now become a real campaign. This digital diary is a record of the project and how it developed. Here you can see the work they produced working along side professional artists.

Aspire to more
IY


The Campaign Posters (arts fusion)

Teen Pregnancy Campaign Video 1 (arts fusion)

There are 40,000 teenage pregnancies every year in the UK. Think about it.

Teen Pregnancy Campaign Video 2 (arts fusion)

There are 40,000 teen pregnancies is the UK every year. Think about it.

Fusion Screening

Now then Arts Fusion crew... I hope you were real proud of yourself today. To clarify what actually went down - the entire schools teaching staff applauded you. Well done. All this is superb on your future CV's and as an experience should be something you remember for time to come.


Thanks for all your hard work and watch this space for further developments on the project.

Peace.
IY OUT.

2 July 2007

Kim-Final product...

Hello again...
We watched the final piece the other day...
It is not what I expected! It is better...
It is really good i am well proud of all of us!!
Good to see all our hard work has not gone to waste.
Watching the out-takes was ace. It had me and olivia in tears it is so funny.
Before I was nervous about showing other people the finished product but now i carn't wait.
I want to show people what we have achieved...
Well done everyone!!
And a big thanks to kev & cj...

Slide show

Hope you enjoy the videos. Enjoy these shots of the Arts Fusion project.
Inspired Youth.
Peace

The Journey - Part 1 & 2

Hello Fusion Crew. I saw you break-dancing in York in-front of hundreds of random people. You showed some great skills and your confidence seems to have gone off the scale! Impressive. Here is the Arts Fusion journey cut right up - I hope you enjoy. We can't put the adverts up on the blog yet but as soon as we get the green light they will be up here! In the meantime we will be putting a DVD together with all the parts which you will receive once it is all produced. Trust me it will be mint.

Thanks again for all your hard work and make sure you BLOG your thoughts on the final piece. Please!

Nice 1. Catch up soon.

Inspired Youth



1 July 2007

ArtsFusion - The cuts

Well, I delivered on my side of the promise. The Arts Fusion out-takes movie is live and on the world wide web. Hope you enjoy the memory. Remember to get signed in and tell us your thoughts on the final product. Good work guys, we are well proud of the work you have achieved and hope to hook up with you again to finalise your Arts Award and set up an event to showcase your work.

Keep it real...


24 June 2007

Fusion Launch

Hello Fusion crew. Hope you are all good! I'm pleased to tell you that I have been cutting up the Fusion experience for the DVD. Make no mistake, your bluetooth campaign adverts are top notch - you should all be very proud. Your THINK ABOUT IT campaign on teen-pregnancy is inspired and your bluetooth movies will be going onto a DVD with a short film about the journey you went on to produce them.

Hold tight, the next step is to arrange an event with the school to showcase all your work. We want to make sure that you, your friends and your parents can get to experience the quality of this work. This is your time to shine and be proud of your fusion achievement.

Watch this space because I am going to be converting the videos for the web...

Look forward to sharing the films with you...

If you can find the energy (I seem to remember you all having quite a lot of that!!) then please log your ideas about what you think the final pieces will look like. What are your expectations?

Peace
Kev | Inspired Youth

6 June 2007

Hold Tight

Hang in there Fusion Crew!

We haven't forgotten you... how could we?!!

We are looking to hold a launch event and screening by the end of term.

Watch this space.

Peace

CJ & Kev
Inspired Youth

17 May 2007

i will but im not to sure wot to do

3 May 2007

oi cj

What is a David belle award, and when the next session?


Rob.


Now then Rob!

David Belle... Maybe you could choose him as your 'Arts Hero' for the Arts Award qualification.

If you want to do this then do some research about him on the web and collect your findings and comments in a folder, I'll catch up with you soon to have a look at it.
Don't try this at home!





Thats it for sessions now I'm afraid, look out for word on the launch event end of may time.

Peace

CJ

23 April 2007

Jake : Arts Fusion Project Evaluation



I feel your most important contribution to this project has been your willingness to work with others and put in 110%. Whenever you were asked to help another team with their production ideas, you stepped up without any question. It was great to see your commitment to the project and you always focussed well in the end to get the job done. Oh and thanks for the constant entertainment!

On behalf of Inspired Youth I grant you the
“forget Eric… JAKE IS BANANA MAN award” for the most food consumed EVER during an Inspired Youth production.

Peace

CJ

Please complete your evaluation below.

i have looked at the all the posts and i like the break dance and the rest. i think we have put in 100% our best work. the break dance was good and i liked it. the performance helped because it attracted the people. the break dance was good and it was fun. i thought that the project was going to be random when i first started it. Now we are finished i think that it was good. i would encourage other people to join because it is fun. it was good because i did not get in to troubleover the easter holidays



Jake Abell

::

Sallyanne : Arts Fusion Project Evaluation


It was really great to see you use your strong influence to create some very positive work throughout the project. We tried to give you the space to feel comfortable on the project and were really happy to see your emerging acting talents come to the front. We really think you should take every chance to do more acting in the future. You showed a mature understanding of how the wider issues of teen pregnancy could effect the life of a young person and the people around them. Well done, it was great to work alongside you.

On behalf of Inspired Youth I grant you the
“That’s Ladgin… your’re not my friend anymore!” award for best supermodel-style strop.

Peace

CJ

Please complete your evaluation below.

::

yes enjoyed the performance by gravity control. The performance has got more people talking about the campaign. I had a poorly foot for the break dance session but I enjoyed watching it anyway. My freeze was a crab!

Before we started I expected arts fusion to be quite boring and strict but it wasn't. I didn't expect to be using computers. Now we have finished the project I thought it good and funny and that. I would definitely encourage other young people to do arts fusion. It felt good to be part of arts fusion as we had something to do over the holidays.

sallyanne

Kim : Arts Fusion Project Evaluation



I really hope you explore the media route in future as you are a natural when it comes to this type of project work. You did really well to overcome your reservations on using the masks in the drama workshop and we could see you grow in confidence with your acting by the production stage. Your problem solving skills and focus were great to see when you took on the role of planning the production shot-list. Your BLOG entries have been really insightful, thanks for all the hard work.

On behalf of Inspired Youth I grant you the
“no, wait… this is a serious subject!” award for constant in-ya-face laughing.

Peace

CJ

Please complete your evaluation below.

::i really enjoyed the performance by gravity control in our assembly as i am already do a breakdance session with chris from gravity control so i have got an interest in it already. They amaze me by how quick they are and how good their moves are, i generally think they are ace!!!
The performance by gravity control has helped our campaign by getting everyone in our year interested as they have now seen something visual to do with our project rather than me just telling them about it! It has really gave the campaign some energy!!
Yes i thought the breakdance session was cool! i do a breakdance session at school with chris from gravity control but it was good to meet some more of the crew (no disrespect chris haha) i learnt a few more new things which i can now use in my other session. There was a really good atmosphere in the room whilst doing breakdance with scott as i think everyone enjoyed it like i did!
At the end of the session when i did my freeze i was in a position a bit hard to describe??? I started of in a crouch down position with my hands on the floor inbetween my legs, i then lent forward and but all my wait on my hands with my legs reating on my elbows. If that makes sense??? :S
Before I started arts fusion i don't really know what i expected? i was expecting it to be good and to learn loads of new stuff but not even a quarter of what i have!! It has been SOOOOOOOOOOOO good, and quite different from what i expected but better in ever way! I cannot actuallt put into words how much i have enjoyed doing the project. Another thing is i really didn't expect to bond with the other students as well as i have as i hardly ever spoke to them before the project, and also i REALLY did not expect to get along with kev and CJ like i have as i really consider them as friends and have LOVED working with them and everyone else who has worked with us over the however long we have been doing it!
I would not even question encouraging anyone to do a Arts Fusion project as it is such a great oppurtunity for anyone!! I have been telling all my friends about it and i think a few are dissapointed that they have not taken part!!
I really did not mind doing this in my own time as i am normaly really bored over the holidays and this has just totally brightened up my holiday and monday nights haha! Overall it has been such a brilliant experience and i cannot describe how much i have been looking forward to everyday! It has boosted my confidence sooo much much and has changed me as a person in a positive way; i have found so much more self confidence over the project!!
Thank you to all the people that have helped use and the BIGGEST THANKS EVER to Kev and CJ for giving me the oppurtunity to do this! This will be a memory forever, i was unforgetable!!!!!

Jade : Arts Fusion Project Evaluation



It has been really great to see your confidence and self-awareness grow over the project. By the production stages you looked confident in using the film camera and also produced some excellent shots in the photo workshop. You were even happy to give the breakdancing a go! When you put your mind into it, your BLOG entries were excellent. The project followed your original idea to focus on teenage pregnancy as a campaign so I hope when you look back over the DVD you will be proud of what you achieved!

On behalf of Inspired Youth I grant you the
“lightening secretary award” for the fastest Chat-room typing.

Peace

CJ

Please complete your evaluation below.

::i really enjoyed the performance by gravitiy control the performance was about briniging energy and bringin hype to the project i enjoyed the break dance session me and sallyanne worked together on our freeze and we did a crab i expected it to be good.yes i would incourage another young person to take part in an art fusion project i felt weird about attending an extended school project in the holiday in my own time

James : Arts Fusion Project Evaluation


We were impressed with the way you communicated with the group when asked to direct parts of the production this really helped the group focus. We could always rely on you to draw the sessions together at the end of the day. You showed a definite talent for digital photography and we’d encourage you to take opportunities to do more of this in future. Its great to see someone who has their own mind about things and who is also willing to compromise for the benefit of the group. We hope you have enjoyed the project and are looking forward to the showcase.

On behalf of Inspired Youth I grant you
“The Rudge” award for best superstar cool.

Peace

CJ

Please complete your evaluation below.

::

Olivia : Arts Fusion Project Evaluation



We feel you really made an effort to try all the different activities and work with other people creatively. You could definitely get a job as a media make-up artist with your on-set cosmetics assistance. You worked really hard on getting into your acting role and were always willing to get behind the camera and do some filming. It was brilliant to see you getting stuck into the break dance session and following Bboy Akoz’s directions to create an expressive freeze.

On behalf of Inspired Youth I grant you the
“whoa… stand back, she’ll stop soon” award for random high volume fits of laughing (usually at Kev’s expense)

Peace

CJ

Please complete your evaluation below.

::

Did you enjoy the performance by gravity control?
I really enjoyed the performance its really amazing to see what people are capable of & to hear & learn about how they achevied the level they are currently at.

how did this perofrmance help your campaign?
The performance helped the campaing because it hyped people up & brought attention to the project people then wanted to know what it was about and why they where there which all comes back to the underage sex campaign.

did you enjoy the breakdance session?
i did enjoy the breakdance session but i most enjoyed hearing about where it all originaly came from & how it has developed to what it is now.
it was also intresting seeing what warm ups you have to do to prepare for breakdance as it is very different to warming up for a regular PE lesson as the muscles needed are different.

what was your freeze?
my freeze was developed from something simple that most people learn in primary school. i was balanced on my shoulders & elbows with my legs in a tangled position:D

Before you started the art fusion project what did you expect it to be like?
i expected to be pritty much as it has been but no where near as good!!
i never expected to improve on my confidents like i have just from being in the project i have also become better friends with the people i have been working with & i never expected to get on with Kev & Cj as well as i thought :D they are pure ledgends!!

What do you think of the project now it has finished?
i am really proud of what we have done & i never expected to gain the confidence and friendships i have out of it. i think we all be over the moon when we see our final peice:D it really has been once in a life time.

Would you incourage other young people to take part in an art fusion project?
Definatley!!!! it really has been loads of fun & i cant believe it is finishing so soon i am soo suprised more people havnt taken part but from what i have told my friends they are definatll jealous ;)

how did you feel about attending an extended school project in your own time?
i felt fine about coming into school in my own time it was definatley worth it.

Rob : Arts Fusion Project Evaluation








Thanks for being my right-hand-man on those early morning shopping trips for supplies. I really felt I could rely on you to get stuck in and use your masses of energy to help the project run smoothly. You have shown great resilience and continued to be a part of the team, even when we did activities which you were less keen on. I was impressed with the way you focussed during the pre-production sessions and you put a lot of thought into your ideas. Your talent at breakdancing is clear to see so keep training, keep believing and aspire to more!

On behalf of Inspired Youth I grant you the “David Belle award” for best stunts during a project.

Peace

CJ

Please complete your project evaluation below.

::

Nicolette Hobson - Movement Arts

Hi Guys,

WOW! The quality and level of work I’ve seen so far has been great!!! I really enjoyed working with you all in the mask workshop. Although some of you found it more challenging than others you all stuck with it and committed to the workshops. At the end of the session you rose to the challenge, worked together, focused and you pulled it off to produce some very believable and touching moments using masks –YOU DID IT!!

Look at how far you have come? The digital storyboards already look fab. I can’t wait to see the final 30 sec ad.

It was a pleasure to work with you all. Well done!

Nic

20 April 2007

Jim Poyner - Photographer

Minty Minty Minty.
Totally enjoyed working with the young people on this project, lots of great ideas came out for the photography session - all from them which is what its all about. After a few sessions even Sallyanne stopped winging about having the flash go off and started posing - NICE!
Im very much looking forward to seeing the final film, especially Jade & Jakes acting debuts. Everyone has given a lot of thought and effort to this and I know its gonna look WELL MINTY!
jim :o)

...and FREEZE! : James

...and FREEZE! : Jake

...and FREEZE! : Olivia

...and FREEZE! : Kim

...and FREEZE! : Rob

...and FREEZE! : Sallyanne & Jade

Bboy AKOZ leads the Fusion Massive : shot by the Mighty Jim P














CJ :: Inspired Youth

19 April 2007

John Catron

This has been an amazing project. Not only have you got really involved in the workshops, but you have also created some great web-based evidence of your successes!

On top of that, you have inspired me to contribute to a blog! A significant achievement on your part.

Looking forward to the finished product.

John

Secondary Schools Strategy Manager
City of York Council

What a journey

From the first meeting I had with Kev and CJ, I knew that Fusion would be a wonderful experience for the young people who involved themselves. 'Inspired Youth' have lived up to their name.

Kev and CJ have worked incredibly hard to make Fusion work - their planning has been thorough and detailed and I'm sure you'll agree that the sessions they've both run themselves and coordinated with other artists have been breath-taking. Don't doubt that you've worked with the best people in their fields, whether it's break-dancing, graffiti art, drama, digital photography or film-making. The opportunities you've had have been second to none (and I would have loved to have done it all myself... honest!)

I don't doubt that you've felt as though your ideas have been valued throughout the work and that this had made a difference. The blog has been a great way for me to see how things have been progressing - but this can only happen when someone actually sits down after a long day and takes the time to upload images and words of encouragement; it doesn't happen by itself.

But the final word of praise has to come down to you, the participants. You have risen to the challenge. Great ideas can only come to fruition if people invest their time and energy and you have. The campaign you opted for is an important one and I have no doubt that the bluetooth film and poster campaign will make people think about the possible consequences of their actions and the responsibility they have to make positive choices for themselves and others. Remember - if just one person buys into your message you've succeeded - you've made a positive impact. Not everyone can say they've done this in their lives.

I can't wait to see the end products but even without these the journey has been fantastic. Thank you for sharing it with me.

Colin Jackson
Drama Consultant
City of York Arts Education

Breakdance Workshop by Scott Akoz

I have had plenty of teaching experience from helping groups of young offenders in a secure complex (like a prison for young people) to the most well spoken 8 year olds from Rufforth in York.

I found this session challenging as I had to make it accessible for everyone. From explaining where breakdance comes from at the start of the workshop I found that there was a mixed 'want' to actually learn what I was there to teach. I also saw a mixed amount of respect within the group, some giving and some expecting.

I saw fantastic amounts of effort being put in from the three lads showboating at the front (you know you were boys!) to the girls taking a back seat giving it a go, trying hard to come up with a personal freeze, a signature move, one that was not too hard to do!

There was a point within the session that I thought things were going to collapse and end up in chaos, but we had a few words with each other and gave it a go. We managed to really pull it together like a crew and come up with some well presented freezes. I can't wait to see the pictures - I am sure Jim, C.J. and Koovine are working on it.

We finished the session with a little 'Jam' where we all get the chance to showboat once again... so I did!

Here is a previous picture Jim Poyner took of me for a magazine he helped put together. This is one of my signature moves, one I use to represent myself.

Click for Jim Poyner's Website



Peace
Scott 'Akoz' Ensbury



Click for the Gravity Control Myspace

This is my crew 'Gravity Control'

Melanie Benson- Head of Year 9 Burnholme Community College

Recently, Kev, CJ and their team have been working with some of my Year 9 Year Group on the Arts Fusion Project. This has, quite simply amazed me! They have managed to bring together students of different socio-economic backgrounds and, through their work, have allowed them to form strong bonds of friendship. This is something that, as a Head of Year, I have found difficult to do! Not only that, but the students have learnt some valuable moral lessons. Their confidence has soared and I have seen an unleashing of previously untapped potential that has made me re-think how these students are dealt with in our school. It is lovely to see their eyes shining when they explain to me what they have been doing. I always believe and constantly reiterate to them that they can be anything they want to be and succeed in so much. It has been great to see that, although some struggle academically, they have gifts in other areas. Their belief in their own worth has started to grow. Thankyou, and long may this continue!

16 April 2007

CJ :: Check the Technique!

The Arts Fusion Project proudly present Yorks B-Boy crew, Gravity Control, ripping it up for the year 9 assembly! Its a good job we had the camera rolling as those boys move pretty fast for a monday morning!

Hooking up with Gravity Control was all about creating some hype for the campaign and creating a buzz round the school! It also gives you an opportunity to achieve another area of the Arts Award qualification by attending an arts performance.

So thanks to "Nutz" and "Pause" and the rest of the GC massive! Check the videos below for footage of their London Palladium and Fusion (York Uni) 2006 gig.


Fusion 2006 - York Uni



London Palladium - Jan 2007


A battle for a place in the finals (in London) of the 'Battle Of Britain 2006' competition.


Gravity Control v Liverpool Militia - Unity Day 2006



This evening we welcome Gravity Control B-Boy "Akoz" to the Arts Fusion HQ for some further instruction on the art of Breakdancing techniques, moves and attitudes.

Here is a little training video of BBoy Akoz, showing some of his style


BBoy Akoz Training



Peace

CJ :: Inspired Youth
(edited by the man like BBoy Akoz)

14 April 2007

CJ :: IY