About the summer camp

WHAT IS «YOUNG MEDIA SHARKS»

«Young Media Sharks» is an educational initiative created by an NGO «Avantis», offering an intensive and inspirational camp for new media talents. It is a unique opportunity to get to know different media industries in a short time, gain knowledge from the best experts in the fields, and participate in practical workshops using different media tools. After the camp, the young people obtain wide range of internship and job opportunities, new friends with mutual interests, both in Latvia and in the Baltics. The knowledge obtained in the camp has helped the sharks to enter Universities in Latvia and abroad, as well as understand which media field they are most interested in.

Thanks to the supporters and partners of the camp, the participation in the camp is completely free, but one needs to complete a creative task. In particular we ask to apply those youngsters that are unsure or have doubts of their abilities. The experience has shown that they are the ones with the biggest hidden talents! And also encourage your friends or acquaintances, who you see to have the knack for writing, photography, event organization, ideation, filming or just simply debating…

You can apply and complete the application task until 29th July 2018.

The camp will take place 7th – 12th August in Pelči, Kuldīga Municipality.

PARTICIPANTS

We are looking for those creative, energetic and ravishing young people from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, who are studying or plan to study in the near future, and have good verbal and written English communication skills. We are looking for those who are interested in media and are not apathetic to what is happening around – both near and further afield. There is no set age limit, but we are searching mainly for 15-20 year olds.

And so, we are looking for:

• Youngsters that are always full of crazy ideas for any life situation;

• Kind-hearted hooligans who are not afraid of public speech in classroom and school, and even wider audience;

• New media enthusiasts – designers, programmers, commentators and social network activists;

• New and assertive videographers and editors who film for fun and want to learn to tell their story even better;

• Creatives who are already active in social media channels and are looking for wider audience and more listening ears for their efforts;

• those who don’t «fit the box» .

This year participants will represent the Baltic states – Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia. The participation is free, and the organizers provide the accommodation in Kuldīga and 3 meals per day. Likewise, the travel from Riga to the summer school location in Kuldīga and return is provided. All participants must to provide their own way to Riga and back home.

WHAT WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN DURING THE CAMP?

Foreign and local gurus representing different media fields will share their experiences and help to get to know the world of media – journalism, audio, videography and photography and other related skills from a practical point of view. To acquire these skills you will group up and, under the guidance of lecturers and produce a creative project. Each day will be filled with lectures, workshops and independent group tasks during which you will have the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge useful for your future career development!

TO APPLY

Apply by 29th July 2018. (including, i.e. 29.07.2018. at 23:59) – fill out the form found on this site, attach the creative task, motivation letter and letter of recommendation.

APPLICATION TASK

1. 1. Motivation letter – please describe why do you want to participate in the camp, what you have done so far, what you would like to learn and gain, and what you are ready to offer!

   2. Letter of recommendation – from a person who knows you and recommends you for the camp. It can be a teacher, a friend, a classmate – not necessarily a grown-up. What we want to read in the letter is what you may be too shy to say yourself – all the best things, of course. The letter should also indicate the contact details of that person.

   3. Creative task

   The creative task needs to be done in English, or if it is a video, in mother-tongue with subtitles in English. Choose one of the 3 formats and topics that you feel stronger at and attach to the application form. Please bear in mind the requirements mentioned and feel free to get in touch if something is unclear! We understand that to complete the creative task, you might need some extra help, therefore if you work in a team, please indicate your own and helper’s role.

   1) An idea for TV series for 14-17 year old youth audience

   Description of the idea (why such series would be necessary; aim that would be achieved; the format of the series; script outline of 1 series) presented on up to 1 A4 page or 7 powerpoint slides that also include the visuals.

   2) An idea for audio series for 14-17 year old youth audience

   Description of the idea (why such series would be necessary; aim that would be achieved; the format of the series; script outline of 1 series) presented on up to 1 A4 page or 7 powerpoint slides that also include some audio clips.

   3) Video, audio photo or journalistic report «Interesting people around me»

   A representation of an event, occurrence, a personality, a spectacle in a video, audio, photo or written format. Video and audio can be up to 5 mins long.

   Don’t be afraid of the humor. Be afraid to be too “proper” and predictable! In this creative task, go beyond yourself!

THE EVALUATION OF THE APPLICATIONS

The jury will get together and identify the best submissions based on the following criteria:

• the way the application task has been completed: accuracy (completed to the extent and format as requested), creativity, actuality and originality of the topic;

• ability to express clearly, lyrical and convincingly;

• the content of the motivation and recommendation letter;

• compliance with the camp’s target audience;

• activity within the media field so far.

Selected candidates might be asked, in addition, to have an interview in person or through Skype.

THE TEAM

APPLY FOR «YOUNG MEDIA SHARKS» 2018 CAMP

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Contact

ALL OTHER INFORMATION:

karlis.dagilis@gmail.com and ilona@avantis.lv