Free Spirit Media

Join us for the premiere screening of?GETCHO, directed by Ashley Tyler, written by Maame Addae and produced by Free Spirit Media's 2022 Creative Pathways Cohort, Saturday, June 8th 2:30pm-5:00pm at the Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts?915 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637. GETCHO: After a tightly wound but promising Ivy League graduate moves back in with her disappointed mother in their Section 8 apartment, she is forced to babysit a peculiar and precocious child and consequently helps him manage his bullies and her own. Doors open at 2:30pm and the film will begin at 3:00pm. Stick around for a panel Q&A with the filmmakers and a celebratory reception following the film. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at?bit.ly/FSMGETCHO Questions? Please contact our Ops & Comms Manager Crislin Christian-Frazier at?[email protected]. We can’t wait to see you there!

A story that’s all too familiar for most young, black girls. Girls that have grown to be women. You might’ve been told that your type 4 natural hair was “nappy” or “unprofessional”. You probably thought you didn’t have “good hair” because your curls are tighter than the rest… Always remember that your roots are deep and your curls are hugging each other, protecting the very thing that makes you beautiful… Embrace the thing that defies gravity, Your CROWN!!! ~La’Tia Owens ?????? Excited to announce that my first short film, Crown, will be screening at Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago ‘s 30th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival in Chicago on November 8th, 11th, and 15th. Tickets here: https://lnkd.in/g-xcdpRQ Shoutout out to my team at Free Spirit Media

We’re happy to re-introduce former Teaching Artist Justus White as FSM’s new Program Manager! Justus is a Chicago-based multimedia content creator with a BFA in film and video production from the School of the Art Institute. A recent graduate from the Multicultural Leadership Academy, Justus has over a decade of experience as a practicing photographer and videographer, youth director and teaching artist, spending the last year as an integral part of our TA Cohort. Justus strives to make media education accessible and feasible for young people with the goal of developing professional media skills that will empower youth creativity and voice through storytelling. He will be managing all young artists programs from ages 11-25. To contact Justus, email [email protected]. Help us give Justus a warm welcome! ?? #freespiritmedia #fsm #chicago #programmanager

We’re searching for a collaborative, detail-oriented, and creative media arts leader and young artist facilitator to join our team as FSM’s new Program Manager! Scroll to learn more and visit https://lnkd.in/egUHVRBR for a full job description and information on how to apply. Please contact info@freespiritmedia with any questions. #hiring #joblisting #jobopportunity #freespiritmedia #programmanager

Last week, FSM x OSC interns got the chance to hear from industry professionals and learn the basics of being a production assistant. Our PA 101 panel was led by producers and leaders in local media Qadree Holmes of Quriosity Productions, Post + Photography, Joe Kirkendall of Dictionary Films, Producer Gabrielle Shabazz, Tim Olson from the Chicago Film Office and Mono Wilborn from Chicago Fire, who brought the decades of experience they share between them to graciously provide interns with insight into forging their path within the media industry. Interns got to ask thoughtful questions and network to connect for mentorship opportunities as they look to expand their professional experience after the One Summer Chicago internship wraps at the end of the week! Thank you to our special guests for your openness, generosity and partnership, ushering in the next generation of filmmakers and producers! #chicago #freespiritmedia #chicagofilmoffice #chicagofilmmakers #fsm #onesummerchicago #summerinternship

Board of directors appreciation post! We want to send out our deep heartfelt gratitude to outgoing board president, Melissa Thornley and outgoing vice chair, Natasha Walker. Thank you for your inspiration and steadfast leadership alongside Free Spirit Media young artists, teaching artists and staff during the last three years of organizational transformation. We will continue to grow and deepen as a result of the roots you have planted and we are grateful that you will continue this journey with us as board members at large. Speaking of transformation and growth, we are excited to share that our board is moving into a co-chair model and that the first board members to step into these roles will be Dr. Eboney Lofton and Keith Jamerson. Katie Green will also join our board leadership team as vice chair. We also want to give a huge shout out to Meg Manda Hayes and Eric Schnabel who will continue as treasurer and secretary, respectively. It truly takes all of us, and we are grateful to each of you! Please join us in celebrating FSM’s? board leadership, past and present! #freespiritmedia #board #leadership

Exciting Summer Updates! ?? Introducing our new Director of Programs & Partnerships, Alex Herrera, along with three FSM interns, Faith, Jalen and Ellie. Learn more about what our FSM x OSC interns are up to in our Teen Program, Creative Pathways Post-Production cohort and in work with some of our community partners, Midwest Film Festival and Party Noire! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gQPn5vkp

We are thrilled to announce that Alex Herrera (she/her) has joined our team as Free Spirit Media’s new Director of Programs & Partnerships on June 17! Throughout her career, Alex has been a dedicated and passionate leader in arts education in Chicago, expanding the breadth and impact of teen programs and being an advocate for the transformative inclusion of young people in social justice and education initiatives citywide at Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago Public Schools, Shedd Aquarium, and School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Along with her professional background, Alex brings her own creative practices in art, technology, film, video, and new media to this brand new position, which will lead our team with innovation and intentionality to strengthen the impact of our creative programs for young artists in Chicago. Please help us give Alex a warm welcome! #freespiritmedia #fsm #chicago

We’re thrilled that Teaching Artist Justus and 2024 Creative Pathways Cohort member Shiloh got to fly to New York City to join our friends at Comcast for the Creative Impact Lab Workshop for NBCUnites NBCUniversal! Justus and Shiloh participated in this 2-day experience working alongside industry leaders to learn how to bring creative impact to their communities. Thank you to our generous partners for including Free Spirit Media in this transformative experience! #nbcuniversal #nbcunites #comcast #mastercard #freespiritmedia #nyc #chicago