Freshi Media 2012 Christmas Party - Picanha

Part of the team at our 2012 Freshi Media Christmas Party at Picanha, Brazilian BBQ in
Burbank - Media City Center

Standing L to R:  Jamie Parker, Chris Shoemaker, Patty Jean Robinson, Carol Murphy, Suzanne Shoemaker, Patte Dee McKee, Jason Medbury  Kneeling L to R:  Mike Korich, Erick Villalobos

 December 14, 2012

2011 has presented some challenges, but the able and creative team at Freshi has risen to the occasion and found a way to prosper and grow in ways unimagined just a few years ago.  

On Wednesday, Dec. 14th, we took time out for a wonderful meal at Pichanha in Burbank and to recognize the individual achievements and hard work from the LA office staff and several teachers who together, make Freshi Media the leading edge company it has become.  We are proud of our group, and plans for new programs (such as our online professional teacher development and a new professional level of trainings to corporations named "Freshi Corporate") are in the offing.  

Long time teacher Kevin Paige and new staff member David Roman also attended our feast, but somehow slipped out before we realized it was picture time!  Thanks guys.  

It's been a great year, and we look forward to an even greater one in 2012!  Happy Holidays and New Year! to all our staff and teachers, clients, partners, vendors, participants and those of you unmet we hope to include in our growing Freshi family.  Freshi Rocks!! 

Freshi at Montclair State University in NJ

Dr. Suzanne Shoemaker introduces the
program at Montclair State University

In October, Freshi traveled East to Montclair State University (MSU) in New Jersey (13 miles outside of Manhattan) to hold a professional teacher development class titled "Digital Storytelling In the Classroom:  Leading the Curve."  On October 25 & 26, the group learned the basics of Digital filmmaking and Video Game design over an intensive 2-day training course, and discussions were held to do more online collaboration with the University in 2012.

Several evaluation comments read, "Fantastic!  Better than expected," and "Wonderful!!  Loved it!"  The program is very hands on and presents a learning environment in which the teachers actually learn and do exactly what their students will eventually do in the classroom.

"We look forward to a long-term and substantive collaboration with MSU as more of our curriculum becomes available online.  It's the way of the future, and MSU is a leader in teacher training and professional development.  We are off to a great start," says Dr. Shoemaker. 

University Hall at MSU that hosted the Network
for Educational Renewal course. 

Alex Kopel - Freshi's November 2011 "Hero of the Month"

Alex shoots some curious monkeys in Bali.

Check out our new Hero of the Month page and learn more about why Alex Kopel is our first hero for November, 2011.  Thanks Alex!

Freshi to Spotlight its "Hero of the Month"

October 25, 2011

Freshi's HERO OF THE MONTH 

A new feature and webpage will soon be added to the Freshimedia.com website called "Hero of the Month."  This page will spotlight company staff, teachers and trainers who by their "... talent, dedication and outstanding efforts to go the extra distance ensure a quality experience for all."

We look forward to shedding more light on the good works of our staff and the fantastic programs they lead with our students and clients.

Freshi goes to New Zealand!

L to R:  Suzanne Shoemaker, Cindy and Steve Keung and Chris Shoemaker

October 13, 2011

Last week Freshi was honored to receive Mr. & Mrs. Steve and Cindy Keung at its Burbank offices all the way from Auckland, New Zealand.  Introduced by filmmaker Christopher Wyatt (Napolen Dynamite, Café, Broken Hill), the group discussed how to begin Freshi programs in New Zealand and the showcasing of completed youth films in the International Family Film Festival's Youth Fest!  for 2013.  

Prospects for a "Freshi-New Zealand" documentary was also explored and is in the offing. 

Steve is actively involved in Maori and indigenous initiatives and organizations.  Currently, he serves in a number of roles and positions (including Trustee, Director, Deputy CEO) with several Maori organizations.  One in particular is an Urban Maori Authority founded on the strength of its social, education, health, economic and spiritual indigenous self-determination agenda.  In 2009, that Trust celebrated 25 years of existence.  Another Trust that he is involved with governs a high profile "natural" caving tourism experience in New Zealand.

Steve is proud of what the indigenous Maori have achieved, but realizes more needs to be done in regards to empowering their youth with digital media, technological and communication skills to  ensure for an even more sustainable future of prosperity and growth for his people - as Steve says, "Better educated youth are the key to a more positive and peaceful future for us and our entire world." 

The Keungs left Freshi with a Film Club starter kit, various levels of Freshi filmmaking and video game design curricula, several cameras and a firm commitment to get a full fledged media program off the ground in New Zealand by 2012.

Freshi wishes the best for Steve and Cindy, and looks forward to building a meaningful relationship that will greatly benefit the youth of New Zealand with this dynamic couple in the years to come. 

2011 IFFF Hollywood - China Youth Film Camp

IFFF Hollywood - China Youth Camp (Aug. 15-19, 2011)
L to R:  IFFF Instructor Kevin Paige, Davie Sy, Amy Huynh (with camera), Calvin Lam, Keno Deary (with camera), Leslie Trinh, Perry Chen (with light), Francis Eames Noland (with boom mic), IFFF Instructor Kerry Liethen, Fang Yuanjia (with camera), Liu Zhiji.

August 15 - 19, 2011
Hollywood, CA

As autumn rains begin to fall in LA, what a busy 2011 summer it was for Freshi! Camps in LA, a professional "train the trainers" bootcamp here in Burbank and summer camps with Parks & Rec departments across California, Texas and Boston were abuzz this summer.

Regarding the LA Camp scene, Freshi, in collaboration with the IFFF (International Family Film Festival), hosted an intensive, 1-week film camp with youth from Mainland China and the United States.

The campers formed two film crews that collaborated throughout the week to conceptualize, storyboard, write a script, shoot, edit and polish their films complete with soundtracks all within a compact 5 days. Neither of the groups shared a common language (both English and Mandarin were spoken throughout the week), but it didn't matter. By the end of the week, they had developed a creative shorthand and the common language of filmmaking to communicate and share ideas about what each film would be.

One crew produced "3 Mimes in a Box" about a young man who constantly gets picked on by office mates and strangers only to compel the world through his rich imagination to be what he wants it to be, while the other crew made a short film entitled, "The Cubicle" about a young couple that finds true love in an office setting, despite the barriers any cubicle or social divides might try to block their deepest feelings for one another.

The week culminated in a film premiere that was attended by friends, staff and the families of the American campers. Beyond the useful film techniques and information learned by all, the youth got to learn something about their contemporaries from the other side of the world and make some long-lasting friendships with others that share a similar passion for storytelling.

For more camp photos, visit the IFFF Photo Gallery at www.iffilmfest.org.

Freshi "Bay Area" Team in place and updating training

Freshi Founders Suzanne & Chris Shoemaker organized a "meet & greet" of the Freshi Bay Area teaching staff last Saturday, May 14 at the Hyatt Hotel, Santa Clara Convention and Visitors Center in the heart of Silicone Valley. Eight staff members attended to discuss updates on Policy and Procedure, summer camp equipment deployment and discuss aspects and needs for the next live teacher training session to better acquaint staff with updated/changed equipment, editing techniques and ways to make Freshi Game Design/Filmmaking/Stop-Motion Animation lessons fresh and more exciting for the youth. Freshi continues to grow in NoCal, and a similar "meet & greet" session is planned for the Sacramento area staff, as well as for the SoCal team in San Diego - in spite of the current national recession, these times remain vital for spreading 21st Century skills to youth throughout our nation.