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FREE SPIRIT LABS FREE SPIRIT MEDIA'S MEDIA ARTS TRAINING & TEEN PRODUCED NEWS SHOW

Free Spirit Labs is a media arts and journalism program. High school participants gain skills in camera operation, audio engineering, performance, writing, editing and photography. Free Spirit Labs is based on Chicago's West Side.

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SHOW CLIPS

LATEST

Featured
FSM News South: Air Aerial Fitness | PBS Student Reporting Labs

FSM News

In partnership with PBS Student Reporting Labs, FSM News South producers, Britney Martin, Justin Patterson, and Marquica Shipp travel to Air Aerial Fitness to learn about how their innovative workout is potentially revolutionizing fitness.

FSM News South: Ci3 Game Labs | PBS Student Reporting Labs

FSM News

In partnership with PBS Student Reporting Labs, FSM News South producers, Amoriana Ballard, Kinyada Craine, Perrione Reed, and Yasmeen Scott travel to Ci3 Game Changer Chicago Design Lab to explore creative and fun ways to raise awareness for sexual and reproductive health.

FSM News South: Green Teens | PBS Student Reporting Labs

FSM News

In partnership with PBS Student Reporting Labs, FSM News South producers, Anthony Killick, Jessica Powell, Jamaari Ramirez, and Devon Stephens travel to the Gary Comer Youth Center to explore Green Teens, an innovative program focusing on urban agriculture, food security and green career development for high school teens.

FSM News South: The Snoezelen Room | PBS Student Reporting Labs

FSM News

In partnership with PBS Student Reporting Labs, FSM News South Reporters, Patricia Joyner, Aaron Noel, Desireé Williams, and Jalen Young spoke with Speech Pathologist, Marylin Sandler about The Snoezelon Room, a multi-sensory environment for children with autism and other sensory needs. Mrs. Sandler led the initiative to create a Snoezelen Room at Stockton Elementary in Chicago.

FSM News South: Health Newscast | PBS Student Reporting Labs

FSM News

In partnership with PBS Student Reporting Labs, FSM News Anchors, Amariona Ballard and Desireé Williams delve into health innovation.

Black-owned health food store brings new life to North Lawndale food desert

The Real Chi

This video is about New Life, a health food store in North Lawndale.

Inmate to Individuals : Resources for Formerly Incarcerated

The Real Chi

Over 2,000 inmates were released to Illinois in December 2017 from Cook County Jail. Over 90 percent of those returning citizens are African American, and roughly 20 percent are African-American women. Real Chi Youth Reporter Kwyn Townsend Riley sat down with Colette Payne, a returning citizen in South Shore, who works with the Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM), which is a part of Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA).

Organizers March to Rahm's House To Stop Southside School Closings

The Real Chi

On Feb. 19, Real Chi Youth reporters Alloíza Mari and Pascal Savino followed organizers from BYP 100 and Teachers For Social Justice, and students from the National Teachers Academy, among others, as they marched to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s house in Ravenswood to protest the closing of the National Teachers Academy and the phasing out of four Englewood high schools over the next three years.

ICAH organizers and youth host Title IX Townhall

The Real Chi

On Feb. 20, the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH) and sponsors hosted a Title IX townhall at the National Museum of Mexican Art. The event aimed to inform people on Title IX-related protections and allow youth to speak directly to their experiences with the federal law in public schools.

Ahimsa | The Peace Exchange in India

Free Spirit PRO

Five young Peace Builders from Chicago traveled to India in 2017/2018 as part of the Peace Exchange leadership development program. In New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, they continued their exploration of peace with youth organizations committed to nonviolence and tolerance. This documentary of their trip will be shared with children from their communities.

BASIC INFO

AGES: Teens 14-18

DATES: Year-round

Email danielshe@freespiritmedia.org for more information

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INTERESTED?

Are you a Chicago teen looking to advance your broadcast production skills?

Fill out Free Spirit Media's Interest form and select "FSM News."

INTEREST FORM

PULITZER DOCUMENTARIES

Media Library 2018
Raising A Better Chicago

FSM News

Raising A Better Chicago is a short documentary about youth organizations and communities working together to provide for the youth, because they aren't getting the help they need from the government.

Invisible Until Suspicious

FSM News

Invisible Until Suspicious is a documentary about how Chicago citizens view police and how the police view them. The documentary expresses each viewpoint, what these victims have to live through, their struggles, and their insecurities towards police officers. It also portrays the lives of Chicago police, their struggles of serving citizens, and the insecurities they have towards violent people.

Hear Her Voice: Hidden Victims of Gun Violence

FSM News

Hear Her Voice: Hidden Victims of Gun Violence is a creative and powerful documentary that will change the way people look at gun violence victims. It’s focused on women who have experienced gun violence. We picked this topic because it is a huge problem that should be addressed but isn't touched on most of the time by the media. Most people in Chicago are unaware of just how much women are affected by gun violence and how many of those same women are victims of gun violence.

Graffiti: An Overlooked Art Style

FSM News

Graffiti: An Overlooked Art Style is a look into the world of graffiti. It can be found throughout the world, but how much do we know about the artists and the art? This documentary goes into the history, the meaning, and even the issues that your everyday spectator may not think about.

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THE FSM NEWS WEST SHOW

FEATURED

Media Library 2018
FSM News West: Social Issues Newscast

FSM News

In 2017 several important social issues have fallen under the public eye. So for our fall newscast, FSM News West decided to dive into major social issues! In this newscast, we interviewed students about cyberbullying, reported on issues that LGBT students endure, shot a PSA to help educate others about rape and covered issues such as homelessness and abortion.

FULL NEWSCASTS

Media Library
FSM West: Fall Newscast 2018

FSM West Crew Members cover several topics including; gentrification, animal abuse, the pink tax, a profile on local restaurant Mi Tierra, and a parody of a late night show.

THE FSM NEWS SOUTH SHOW

FEATURED

Media Library 2018
FSM News South: Health Newscast | PBS Student Reporting Labs

FSM News

In partnership with PBS Student Reporting Labs, FSM News Anchors, Amariona Ballard and Desireé Williams delve into health innovation.

FULL NEWSCASTS

Media Library 2018
FSM News South: Health Newscast | PBS Student Reporting Labs

FSM News

In partnership with PBS Student Reporting Labs, FSM News Anchors, Amariona Ballard and Desireé Williams delve into health innovation.

FSM News South: Holiday Special

FSM News

In this FSM South Newscast, reporters Patricia Joyner and Justin Patterson host our Holiday Special. From giving back to exploring what different religions might celebrate during the holiday season, Free Spirit Media looks forward to putting you in the Holiday Spirit!

Summer Newscast #1 2018

FSM News

In this news story, Free Spirit Media teen journalists at the Gary Comer Youth Center explore 12th Street Beach. The crew covers topics of diversity, fashion, festivals, music, and safety. Produced by FSM South.

FSM South: The Food Newscast

FSM News

In this news story, Free Spirit Media teen journalists at the Gary Comer Youth Center explore the Taste of Chicago. The crew discusses food trends, food preparation, the Taste of Chicago, and presents a short film. Produced by FSM South.

FSM South: Jessica Finister Newscast

FSM News

In this news story, Free Spirit Media teen journalists at the Gary Comer Youth Center remember and celebrate the life of Jessica Finister.

FSM South: Generational Newscast

FSM News

In this news story, Free Spirit Media teen journalists at the Gary Comer Youth Center explore the Magnificent Mile. The crew create pieces on the topics of dance trends, social justice, technology, and discipline.