"By the time an American student turns 18, he or she will have watched an average of 25,000 hours of television-more time than was spent in the classroom-and seen nearly a million advertisements. Children and young adults are groomed to be submissive consumers of media, responsive to its lucrative markets, and not creative, thoughtful makers of their own images."-- writer and filmmaker Kathryn Hunt in a special report, Why Fund Media?, issued by the Council on Foundations.

Since its formation in 1991, Kingdom County Productions has worked in the fields of media arts education and production -- to precisely address this issue. Fledgling Films helps young people find new voice and a critical perspective on media. Recent e-mails from past Fledgling kids underscore this point.

Richard Tanne, a 2000 Fledgling student, wrote from SUNY Purchase in New York, where he attends a rigorous film conservatory, to say that he wrote and directed an Off-Broadway play this past summer and spent the fall semester shooting two films on 16 mm. He said, "After Fledgling, I knew filmmaking was what I wanted to do with my life and I have not let up since."

Samantha Tsuji, a two year Fledgling student on full-scholarship from Ohio, recently let us know that she's pursuing film at Marlboro College next fall, and credits Fledgling Films with her decision. She wrote that Fledgling "helped me grow not only as a filmmaker, but as a person... the passion, talent and knowledge that you and your students have for filmmaking has been continuously inspirational."

Chris Casey, another Fledgling teen, recently contacted us for advice as he launches his very own youth film festival in Westport, Connecticut. After Chris attended the 2002 Fledgling Films Summer Institute, he continued filmmaking at home, recruiting friends and shooting short films after school and on weekends. When he became frustrated by the lack of distribution opportunities for teen media, he partnered with the Westport Art Center and started his own festival, devoted entirely to high school filmmakers. "Thank you," Chris said, "the Fledgling camp really shaped my future."

This kind of feedback from past Fledgling students is gratifying - and common. We are frequently reminded of how media arts education can change young people's lives and create lasting career opportunities. We believe it's a unique and effective method to tap teens' creativity and constructive energy.

Kingdom County Productions is taking a hiatus from its Fledgling Films programs in 2006, to finish and release its latest feature film, Disappearances. We hope to produce new Fledgling Films workshops and media projects in 2007. Please stay tuned.

For the last two years KCP has been focusing its Fledgling Film efforts on the statewide production of "Shout it Out" an original film based on the lives of Vermont teens, with music written by Vermont teens. The film will be toruing VT summer/fall of 2008. Upcoming Fledgling Films Projects are on hold until we finish the tour. Please watch for updates.