View the latest issue of the VXM Magazine
Global Choir Collective
VXM Launch Party Film
BBC Coverage of the VxM Launch
ICTV volunteer Rachel Blackwood and motivational speaker Lauren Harrison speak passionately about young people and the media on BBC Radio Suffolk.
vxm.me
So what’s this VxM thing?
Villa Cross Media, or VxM, is a Pan European project which gives the opportunity for young people to learn and train in using new media.
Just another training course?
Not at all. We want real outputs. Our volunteers produce articles and photography for our youth magazine publication, our videos have meaning and are shared across Europe, and our radio programmes will be heard across Ipswich and the surrounding area.
Magazine?
Absolutely. If you like it and want to write for it, drop us a line. If there is something, or everything, you dislike, don’t complain about it – come see us and write something which you want to read. If you want your photography or art in print, contact us. If you want training in magazine production, look us up. This magazine is what you make it.
And how can videos have meaning?
Because they’re about you. Across Europe, young people will be producing short films about their culture and heritage. We want to know what makes you you. What is a day in your life like? What are your fears, your dreams, your inspirations? Why do you get up in the morning? Who is your heroine? What makes you angry? Sad? Happy? What fuels your passion and what can push you over the edge? We want two minute stories. Your two minutes, your platform. Young people are constantly demonised in the popular press and on TV – we need to challenge and fight these stereotypes.
But you can’t change what the newspapers and TV says.
Bullshit. Journalism is changing and we can help shift perceptions. We can show you how the popular press and TV manipulate and exploit their audience. Besides, the printed word and traditional television is slowly dying – the young people of today will be deafening in cyberspace tomorrow, and every voice, every opinion should be heard. We can help give you the skills and the platform to form the wave, not just ride it.
I’m not really interested in magazine or video.
How about music? We’ll be launching our radio show in the New Year, where you can play your tunes or share your opinions. We’re also developing our 24 track studio - you can record your tracks and produce limited CD runs or publish on your preferred social network. You may not be interested in the magazine, but we can use it to distribute your music. We do not promise you’ll become famous, but we’ll give you a damn good chance.
Anything else?
We’ll also be on the lookout for young people to be involved in short working breaks in Europe, producing joint videos with other young people. And the occasional youth event to celebrate our achievements. And all your outputs will be shared on a European website for thousands of young people to see and be inspired by. And if none of this is appealing, then give us a suggestion – it just needs to relate to the media.
Bottom line – how much?
Nothing. Our funding comes from Europe and other sources – this means it’s free to you.
So what now?
We’re setting the project up, so after our official launch in February, we’ll hit the ground running. If you’re aged between 16 – 25 and want to know more, contact Claudia on cparrino@csv.org.uk or call 01473 418034 and we’ll see you soon.
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