Visible You explored the issue of social isolation in young people aged 13-19, using technology, film and data visualisations to make an interactive documentary.
In recent years teenagers could often be seen hanging out in public spaces in Knowle West and the surrounding areas. Now, however, their numbers are depleted. Meanwhile, the Early Help team in South Bristol has reported increased numbers of 13-19 year olds who are socially isolated, and this number is growing.
Research
In October 2014 we hired a group of young people aged 18-24 as Junior Digital Producers (JDPs) to work together on a web design, video and data project to explore this change. The JDPs’ research indicated that a large number of young people prefer communicating with their friends online, rather than face to face.
Why are young people choosing to live their lives online instead of out in the community? Could our culture’s increasing dependence on technology be a factor? Or could it be fear of being labeled as the perpetrators of anti social behaviour that has forced them to stay inside?
The JDPs used data visualisation tools to find out what is going on, the impact this issue has on both the teenagers and their communities, and finally what can be done to tackle the problem.
Filming
Over a six-month period they developed and filmed an interactive documentary entitled ‘The Glowing Divide’. The film follows the stories of three teenagers from South Bristol – Charlie, Ella and Kyle – as they undertake three challenges and share their views and experiences. Can they give up gaming and social media for five days? How does this affect their confidence?
The film is interactive, so the audience can choose the order in which they view the films and the direction of the narrative. Immerse yourself in their world at theglowingdivide.com
More about the 2014 Junior Digital Producers
In October 2014, Knowle West Media Centre employed eight Junior Digital Producers (JDPs) – a group of young people aged 18-24 who worked collaboratively on an exciting web design, video and data project called ‘Visible You‘.
The Junior Digital Producers (JDPs) were with us for six months, in a role supported by the Creative Employment Programme, and at the time they were the second cohort of young people to be employed in this way – the first having worked on the Data Patchwork programme. Throughout their six months with us, all JDPs received skills and employability training, whilst undertaking project work and research.
Some were joining us straight from education whilst others had various work experiences. As the group were at the halfway point between education and their first job in the creative industries, the JDP role offered the opportunity to learn new skills and grow in a creative environment. They had workshops covering web coding, photography, documentary, film training, and more. They had been guided by project leader Naomi Yates, who organised external workshops with organisations and companies including Ludic Rooms.