2010 Open Video Conference

At this year’s Open Video Conference in New York City on October 1st & 2nd I will be premiering a new remix video and I will also be doing an educational session demonstrating how video remixing can be used as a critical media literacy tool for school kids. The OVC promises to be an exciting event with an impressive line-up of inspiring panelists and speakers including The Yes Men.

Here is a short abstract of my gendered TV ad remix presentation:

Embedded in the 25,000 TV commercials children are subjected to every year are a set of specific social norms and values about gender roles. Behind the colorful pieces of plastic and sugar coated cereal on sale are deeply restricting attitudes about gender. Gradually, they teach kids of all genders what is expected, what is desirable and what is possible in their lives as adults. So how can kids be empowered to not only understand their media spaces, but also talk back—responding to a hundred million dollar marketing machine in audiovisual terms? In his presentation, Jonathan will show how simple remix video tools can be used in classroom settings to deconstruct and creatively re-frame gendered TV commercials. He has been running educational remix workshops for students for several months including with the Reel Grrls in Seattle. Jonathan will share how students can learn new media technology, video editing, fair-use rights and critical media literacy.