Lunchtime Talks are a series of informal presentations at Watershed's Pervasive Media Studio. They normally take place at 13:00 on a Friday, are free and are open to everybody who is interested in what they do. Come along, bring a sandwich, and get to know more about the Studio community, current and up-coming projects, or residents' work.

Friends of the Studio, Knowle West Media Centre recently employed eight Junior Digital Producers (JDPs) - a group of young people aged 19-24 who are working collaboratively on an exciting web design, video and data project called 'Visible You'. Using innovate technology, film and data visualisations, the project will explore the issue of social isolation in people aged 13-19 in South Bristol, and deliver 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. The JDPs' research indicates that a large number of young people prefer communicating with their friends online as opposed to face to face.

Why are young people choosing to live their lives online - rather than 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 behavior that has forced them to stay inside? The JDPs will use data streams and data visualisation tools to find out what is going on, what kind of impact this issue has on both the teenagers and their communities, and finally what can be done to tackle the problem.

The JDPs were previously unemployed young people who have been recruited as part of KWMC’s commitment to enabling new pathways between education and employment in the creative and digital industries, to address issues of youth unemployment and increase diversity in those sectors.

The young people will also discuss how talent development schemes such as the Junior Digital Producer programme are developing their practice and how they hope to build on the experience to progress their careers.

The Pervasive Media Studio is located within the Watershed building. Let us know if you'd like a tour and we'll be happy to show you around. Send an email to admin@pmstudio.co.uk

FFI:pmstudio.co.uk

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