Spark Studios
Spark Studios teaches film and media arts to empower youth’s voices, build workforce development skills, provide paid work experience, and help students get on a path to college and career success. Youth in Spark Studios learn filmmaking, photography, digital media production, and create media projects in teams and for community clients.
Spark Studios prepares young people for entry into the Art Institute where they can develop a college film or photography portfolio as well as become employable in a competitive media workforce, including The Art Effect’s advanced program Forge Media.
Spark Studios runs in the fall, spring and summer and offers intensives in the winter.
Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory, 8 North Cherry Street, Third Floor, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Creative Filmmaking and Workforce Training
- Explore cutting-edge media production techniques
- Artistic and technical skill building to create creative short films
- Student produced original media productions
- Industry exposure
- Develop skills, attitude, and competency for college
- Intermediate-level youth program skills for entry into the Art Institute (to prepare college film portfolios)
Clients and Partners
Clients and partners that have worked with Spark Studios recently include Scenic Hudson, Walkway Over the Hudson, Arts Mid Hudson, Poet Gold + POUGHetry Festival, Poughkeepsie City School District, Black Excellence Community, Cary Institute, Engaged Pluralism Initiative, and Hudson River Housing, Dutchess County, Family Services, among others.
Support Spark Studios youth — Contact us to partner on a client project!
Creative Filmmaking and Workforce Training Skills
Youth enrolled in Spark Studios gain experience and acquire skills in:
- photography and digital editing
- videography and video editing
- lighting
- audio mixing
- creating public service announcements
- scriptwriting and creative short films
- documentaries
- animation and stop-motion
- financial literacy and time management skill development
- develop community connections and interpersonal skills
- media portfolio development
History
Spark Studios, formerly known as Media Magic & DROP TV, has been a place for youth to express themselves in video and photos for decades. DROP TV (which stood for Direct Revolution of Programming) began as a summer youth employment program in 1996 focused on producing video segments for episodes of the DROP TV youth television series which aired on CableVision. In 2012, the program was extended to an after school filmmaking program, Media Magic. Students participating in Media Magic created incredible short-form video content in collaboration with community partners.
Students of Spark Studios have gone on to work as crew members in the film industry including Hudsy, HBO, and have also become entrepreneurs.
Awards and Recognition
Many of the short films created by youth during Spark Studios win entries and awards at film festivals around the world. Click on any of the film names below and take a peek!
“The Edge” won an award at the Wildcat Spirit Film Festival and at the Lower Hudson Media Arts Show. The film was also a finalist at the Reel Exposure Teen Film and Photography Festival. The film was also selected for Newark IFF Youth Festival, The Lift-Off Sessions and First-Time Filmmaker Sessions.
“The Lock Down” won an award at the Wildcat Spirit Film Festival and at the Lower Hudson Media Arts Show and was a finalist at the Reel Exposure Teen Film and Photography Festival. It was also selected at The Lift-Off Sessions and First-Time Filmmaker Sessions.
“Santa Woman” has won awards at the Tribeca Film Institute’s “The America I Am” Competition – Best Collaborative Film, The Rockland County Film Festival, Award Winner Reel Expressions Teen Film Festival 2017, 2nd Place The Chocolate City International Short Film Festival in Wisconsin, and was a semi-familist at the Newark IFF Youth Festival.
“The Art of Loss” won at the Lower Hudson Media Arts Show.
“The Problems We Share” was selected for the Reel Exposure Teen Film and Photography Festival.
“Here’s A Toast” won at the Lower Hudson Media Arts Show.
“If You Choose To Accept It” was selected for The Lift-Off Sessions and Reel Exposure Teen Film and Photography Festival.
“Nirvana” was a finalist at the Newark IFF Youth Festival and a selection at The Lift-Off Sessions and First-Time Filmmaker Sessions.
“The Written and “E+MC Scared” were selected for The 9th International Children’s Film Festival.
“A Problem” was selected for the Reel Exposure Teen Film and Photography Festival, Dances with Films, and Central Illinois Feminist Film Festival.
“DaVinci Jackson – Someday” was selected for The Lift-Off Sessions, First-Time Filmmaker Sessions and Newark IFF Youth Festival.
“Freemium” was selected for The Lift-Off Sessions, Super International Teenager Film Festival and First-Time Filmmaker Sessions.
The Art Effect partners with local organizations to host panel discussions, screenings, and events that highlight the incredible work produced by Spark Studios youth including The International Reel Exposure Teen Film and Photo Festival and in 2019, Spark Studios worked with the City of Poughkeepsie to organize a public screening of Spark Studios films with a local HBO production team who provided feedback on youth films.
Teachers and Program Staff
Adam Reid (Reidz) is the Media Programs Manager and Lead Instructor for Spark Studios, teaching video production, photography, and script writing. Reidz returned to Poughkeepsie after graduating college with a MS in Arts & Sciences and has taught both NYS General Education and special needs students from ages 7-21 years old. Reidz has over 20 years of experience in the production industry, producing content such as short form documentaries, interviews, product commercials, promotional campaign videos, graphic design, digital marketing, fashion shows, and music videos for organizations including, NFL Flag League, P.K., Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation, Love Hair Salon, Noel New York, Denizard Jewels and Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers. Reidz grew up in Poughkeepsie and is able to relate and stand as a role model for the youth, helping them develop life and workforce skills, encouraging them to utilize creative expression and become the best version of themselves.
This program is partially funded by monies received from Dutchess County, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the United Way of Dutchess County.
Additional grants for Spark Studios have been provided by City of Poughkeepsie youth grant Roe Fund/CFHV and The Dutchess County Department of Youth Services
