5) Description of initiative: The Bullets in The Hood: Anti Gun Violence Tour is committed to getting guns off our streets, weapons out of the hands of young Americans and making safer communities across the nation. To begin this process, healing dialogue must be initiated between societal members. Gun-related violence takes the lives of thousands of American youth every year. In some communities, possessing a gun is no more uncommon than carrying an iPod and affects youth of all races and economic strata. For many youth having a gun is deemed a “necessity” in a violent community environment and, cruelly, victims of gun violence are often law-abiding youth who are caught in the crossfire. There is no easy solution because gun violence stems from a complicated labyrinth of societal issues and problems. Focusing on individual incidents might solve those crimes, yet it doesn't address the overall alarming issues. Communities need to be shown and commit to share in alternatives. At-risk youth need to be better protected and informed. Fighting gun violence requires taking aim at the causes that create, harbor and promote this kind of crime. Youth need platforms upon which they can safely open up about their experiences and concerns. This project provides these platforms. The goal of the Bullets in The Hood:Anti Gun Violence Tour is to reach out to youth and their communities and contribute to building healthier neighborhood. The catalyst is a unique youth-led traveling initiative that engages critical face-to-face dialogue in affected communities across the country. As the project builds momentum and media coverage, DCTV believes this can and will lead to comprehensive and collaborative solutions to gun violence unique to each community. To effectively manage this national conflict, DCTV aims to enlist parental groups, local law and governmental leadership/policy makers and educational institutions in a collaborative effort to work together to advance crime preventio

6) Description of innovation: There are literally thousands of programs across the county that deal with gun violence, but they have not captured people’s imaginations like DCTV’s youth produced film, Bullets in the Hood: A Bed Stuy Story has, and upon which this project is based. Produced by two teenagers from Brooklyn’s projects through DCTV’s PRO-TV program, a free media arts training program for at-risk youth, this film about gun violence has been seen around the world, heralded by worldwide media, won a multitude of awards and has captivated all who have seen it. The Bullets in the Hood: Anti Gun Violence Tour was subsequently developed as a grassroots, youth to youth focused initiative that encourages dialogue processes and engage youth on their own streets. A mission driven agent for positive social change, its unique centerpiece is DCTV’s CyberCar, a 40 foot long mobile production studio equipped with a large video wall mounted on its side. It features recording, editing, Internet serving, and two-way satellite equipment. It can feed and receive live and edited broadcast quality television signals from anywhere in the country. The unique design of the CyberCar allows people to create video segments, upload information to websites and broadcast live from any location. The CyberCar creates highly visible media events and connects diverse audiences through public screenings and discussions. Previous CyberCar initiatives have proven to be newsworthy. When it rolls into town, people notice. Its unique method of delivering programs and services is extremely effective in encouraging community response and participation. Gun violence is an issue that is faces so many communities across America. It is a personal and civic experience that can be shared from one community to another. Any parent who has lost a child, any child who has lost a parent, sibling, or friend is qualified to talk about it, have an opinion about it, and share their thoughts about th

7) Delivery model: Most of the youth we seek to reach out to do not, traditionally, watch educational television programming. Therefore, DCTV plans to bring television to them by literally driving the CyberCar into neighborhoods where gun violence is an all too familiar occurrence. An Advance Team will determine a route based on a particular city’s need, funding and the number of strategic partnerships we are able to form with educational institutions, libraries, mayoral offices, law enforcement, youth groups, local politicians, media outlets, churches, civic and social service associations, union members, and others who have, or should have, a vested interest in helping their communities find alternatives to gun violence. At each stop, a public “Town Meeting” will be held at a strategic location where the CyberCar’s exterior video wall will be set up as a proscenium stage. A screening of “Bullets in the Hood: A Bed Stuy Story” will be held fronted by filmmaker Terrence Fisher and Phyllis Clayburne, mother of slain teen, Timothy Stansbury, whose shooting by a NYC policeman made national headlines and whom Terrence was with when he was shot. As natives of Brooklyn’s projects and individuals who have experienced the devastating loss of loved ones due to gun violence, Terrence and Ms. Clayburne are uniquely qualified to speak to youth about the issues, the consequences and the alternatives to gun violence. This ambitious cross-country initiative has already begun to tackle an issue that has, thus far, been insolvable. DCTV conducted a pilot tour in 2006 receiving remarkable feedback from audiences and program partners. At each venue, youth and adults alike were captivated by Terrence’s film. During the Q&A, hands were raised, stories were shared and even youth who at first seemed unapproachable, opened up to ask for solutions to the violence. A DVD is available. This dialogue initiated the first critical step toward engaging communities, th

8) Key operational partnerships: Since 1972, DCTV has built important funding, broadcast and media partnerships with governmental agencies, international and national organizations dedicated to social justice, foundations, educational institutions and individuals. The CyberCar has been deployed several times on various community-building initiatives such as a non-partisan project that registered 3,000 teens during the 2002 gubernatorial elections; the advancement of cultural understanding between Russians and Americans; and took the pulse of the country on the second anniversary of the attacks of September 11. Partners in Cybercar projects included the National Endowment for the Arts, Open Society Institute, Shei-rah Foundation Internews Network, public television stations such as PBS and MNN, AVID, Panasonic and other technology providers. Each project helps us hone the next. DCTV itself is funded by a prestigious roster of governmental, foundation, corporate and individual contributions. These partnerships are critical to supporting DCTV’s mission to invigorate democracy and provide the tools and training for the disenfranchised to create and gain access to important social issue media.

9) Financial model: Through partnerships established with high schools and youth organizations, its media-training program for youth is provided free to hundreds of at-risk youth each year. Regular screening events at DCTV’s facility serve thousands of individuals. Sales/distribution of DCTV produced programs help us reach out to individuals outside of its geographical location. Televised broadcasts of it programs reach millions. Film Festivals provide international audiences with access to DCTV produced films. DCTV’s website provides media tutorials, video streaming and podcasts. The CyberCar brings media and social issue programming directly to people in their communities. DCTV producers regularly participate in educational panels and special events. Funding is needed to reach all target popul

          • Costs as percentage of income: 20%

          • Financing: The 2006 budget was $120,000. $50,000 was secured from the Open Society Institute, $30,000 from an individual donor and the balance from DCTV. This budget only allowed the CyberCar to coordinate seven (NYC and one Connecticut) locations effectively. DCTV earns revenue from the sales and distribution of its broadcast productions as well as membership fees, training and workshops, equipment and facility rentals which help offset the costs of our special programming. In-kind donations support events and equipment needs. The key to this project’s financial and programmatic sustainability is to build long-term national partnerships that will carry on the work moving forward and the production and broadcast of an documentary that can be distributed in the U.S. and translated for gl

10) Effectiveness

          • Project outcomes: The 2006 CyberCar tour educated approximately 1,000 people about youth deaths attributed to gun violence, informed them of long-term and far- reaching consequences of a single act of violence, empowered them to share personal/community experiences, and collected written questionnaires offering suggestions to end gun violence in their communities. “It is always a challenge to engage our youth in serious discussions. DCTV has taken on the task with such courage and ambition. Our youth sat captive through the entire film. Our teens feel voiceless when it comes to overwhelming political matters and issues that directly affect them and their futures. When they see that someone like Terrence is making a difference, it gives hope to youth simply struggling to simply be heard.” -Partn

          • Number of clients in past year: It is important to note, that additional to the CyberCar tour, the film Bullets in the Hood has, since 2005, been screened by national and international youth groups, libraries, schools, museums, film festivals, and at corporate events, street fairs and more. Its filmmakers have been awarded city proclamations, film and community awards, featured on national and international media outlets, and invited to travel to cities in the U.S. and abroad to speak to youth about their film and the issues of gun violence. These screenings and interviews continue to reach audiences around the world and represent hundreds of thousands impacted. Additionally, it is one of DCTV’s best selling films as youth focused groups regularly purchase it for use in empowering and educational programs

11) Scaling up strategy

          • Stage of the initiative: Scaling Up stage.

          • Expansion plan: The long term goal of this project is to help create healthier neighborhoods by enlisting leadership/policy makers and educational organizations. These stakeholders are needed to set up realistic and effective programs for at-risk youth and young adults, to work toward safer schools and initiate rewarding and fulfilling after-school activities. Community leaders must be recruited for a holistic effort to take back their streets. A core group of local community “investors” (local Mayor’s office, Department of Education, law enforcement, child welfare/social welfare agencies, etc) needs to be mobilized to ensure that the work begun by the tour will continue. This is a replicable project can serve as a model for journalistic media and youth needs organizations here and abroad. With funding, DCTV could provide technical assistance to implement tours and programs in communiti

12) Origin of the initiative: Bullets In The Hood: A Bed Stuy Story was produced and directed by NYC teenagers through DCTV’s PRO-TV program. Filmmakers, Daniel Howard and Terrence Fisher, conceived of the project as a response to the 11 friends they had lost between them due to gun violence. In an ironic twist during its production, Terrence experienced the tragic loss of his best friend to gun violence. This time the shooter was a New York City policeman. Terrence was with unarmed teen, Timothy Stansbury, when he was shot by a policeman in 2004. The shooting was deemed ‘unjustified’ by the NYC Police Commissioner, but the officer was exonerated of charges. Terrence captured the community’s response through the lens of his camera and explores gun violence from many sides. “Bullets” made news around the world. It was awarded the 2005 Sundance Film Festival’s Jury Prize, among many prestigio

Contact Information:
Karen  Plitt
Development Director
Downtown Community Television Center
(non profit media arts organization)
87 Lafayette Street
United States
Tel: 212 966 4510 x 234
Fax: 212 226 3053
Email: karen@dctvny.org
Website: www.dctvny.org