For the next six weeks Foxtel will run a television production course for seven very special young people from the Salvation Army Oasis Centre – an organisation established to assist youths in crisis.
Kicking off on Monday, August 6, Street TV will run over six weeks as the youths from the Oasis Centre will learn about every facet of television production including writing, sound, video, scripting, location planning and direction as well as editing and post production.
At the conclusion of the course, each student will be in a position to tell their own story through a completed short film which will screen on Foxtel.
The Street TV course is part of the Foxtel Connecting with the Community initiative, which since 2002 has supported youth, including long-term unemployed and those living on the streets.
The staff run program aims to equip the students with new skills as well as helping build their self esteem, confidence and sense of responsibility.
Some participants from previous Street TV courses have gone on to employment in the media industry. One now works full-time at Foxtel, another in radio, while one previous course graduate is now a thriving young artist who recently proudly exhibited her new work in a Sydney gallery.
Executive Director of Television and Marketing, Brian Walsh, said: ‘This year’s Street TV course will be the first to be held at the new Foxtel Television Centre at North Ryde and it is fantastic to see that staff members have once again volunteered their time. For all involved this is an extremely rewarding experience and gives staff an opportunity to contribute their skills to the disadvantaged or those in crisis in our community.
‘These young people are treated like stars when they come into Foxtel and we equip them with the skills to tell their stories and express themselves through television.’
[release from Foxtel]