PMF videos stress positive outcomes
As a young organization, Peace Maker Foundation has been too busy just raising funds to build a media library describing its work. This year, that has changed.
Using free software that came with his computer, PMF volunteer Mike Finley was able to create at zero cost a set of new videos that the foundation can use online and in person to explain the PMF story.
Not only didn't the videos not cost a cent, but they are pretty unique, in a low-budget way. Mike doesn't even use a camera. He creates videos from still photographs, which he then animates and dubs over.
“They're not not going to win awards for advanced technology,” Mike says, “but they tell the story of school violence in an interesting way.”
The first is called “I Was a Bully,” and it describes the journey of a fifth grader at a Minnesota school, named Dillon, who confesses that for a year he harassed classmates, both verbally and physically. Why? Because his brothers rough-housed with him at home, and he thought that was an OK way to act.
But Dillon attended a Kindness Retreat, funded by PMF, that helped him understand that his behavior was upsetting to other kids. So he stopped. And started making real friends.
The video goes on to explain what school violence is, how PMF helps schools address it, and how people can get involved. The video is online at YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuP1to-4gUw. Or you can see it at PMF's regular website.
Mike then created a follow-up video for use at fundraising events. Called “Fighting Back Against School Violence.” it describes the ill effects school violence has on kids, and lets parents and prospective donors know how they can help. This video will be shown at PMF events this fall.
This month, Mike is crafting a 30-second “commercial” for PMF, explaining in a nutshell what PMF is about, and why it matters. We will post it when it is completed at www.peacemakermn.org.
Using free software that came with his computer, PMF volunteer Mike Finley was able to create at zero cost a set of new videos that the foundation can use online and in person to explain the PMF story.
Not only didn't the videos not cost a cent, but they are pretty unique, in a low-budget way. Mike doesn't even use a camera. He creates videos from still photographs, which he then animates and dubs over.
“They're not not going to win awards for advanced technology,” Mike says, “but they tell the story of school violence in an interesting way.”
The first is called “I Was a Bully,” and it describes the journey of a fifth grader at a Minnesota school, named Dillon, who confesses that for a year he harassed classmates, both verbally and physically. Why? Because his brothers rough-housed with him at home, and he thought that was an OK way to act.
But Dillon attended a Kindness Retreat, funded by PMF, that helped him understand that his behavior was upsetting to other kids. So he stopped. And started making real friends.
The video goes on to explain what school violence is, how PMF helps schools address it, and how people can get involved. The video is online at YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuP1to-4gUw. Or you can see it at PMF's regular website.
Mike then created a follow-up video for use at fundraising events. Called “Fighting Back Against School Violence.” it describes the ill effects school violence has on kids, and lets parents and prospective donors know how they can help. This video will be shown at PMF events this fall.
This month, Mike is crafting a 30-second “commercial” for PMF, explaining in a nutshell what PMF is about, and why it matters. We will post it when it is completed at www.peacemakermn.org.