Empowering students to develop their interpersonal & digital skills by creating video interviews about being human
A New Meaning of "Screen Time" That Empowers Learners
to Turn Digital Know-How into Savvy People Power Skills
A New Meaning of "Screen Time" That Empowers Learners to Turn Digital Know-How into Savvy People Power Skills
Every generation is shaped by the world around them. Growing up in a digital age offers youth benefits like access to a wealth of information and better global awareness. But tech fluency has also handicapped Gen Z’s development of people power skills like active listening, emotional intelligence, rapport-building, and forging collaborations. These skills are essential in effectiveness in the adult workplace and society at large.
It’s well-documented that social media creates mental health issues, and too much screen time can be isolating and negatively impact the development of social and emotional skills. At Flip the Lens, we believe digital devices can be a portal to connect with ourselves and each other!
With the Flip the Lens (FTL) People Power Skills curriculum, learners conduct and film in-person interviews with people they identify as role models on the topics of belonging, creativity, and culture. They will also create a mini documentary of a “Day in the Life” of someone they admire.
With these interactions, students get real-time experiences of authentic conversations with people about meaty themes of real significance. These dialogues prepare participants for engaging comfortably with a cross-section of people in future social and professional settings.
What’s more, the FTL interviews reveal to learners what a powerful connection can be forged with someone when we ask them to describe the events and situations that have shaped the person they are today. The FTL curriculum gives participants a window on our unique differences, and shared human condition.
What is Different About the Flip the Lens People Power Skills Course?
Authentic, in-person connection is the heart of the Flip the Lens People Power Skills Course ©.
We provide the framework for four structured personal experiences in which learners engage in meaningful conversations with real people they admire about topics of substance and depth. These immersive interactions of rapport-building offer “practice” for the sometimes intimidating scenarios like college admissions or job interviews.
The FTL experiences aren’t something you can find on ChatGPT.
And the videos created by Flip the Lens filmmakers are published on our digital platform!
The FTL online course gives young people a way to make a social impact while they grow personally and professionally!
The Flip the Lens Skills Set | What Are People Power Skills?
The term “power skills” refers to the capabilities that used to be known as “soft skills” or “people skills.” The new term was developed out of recognition that the ability to communicate, collaborate, problem-solve, and demonstrate adaptability and emotional intelligence are essential to work and life.
Power skills contribute to Emotional Intelligence (EI)–being able to perceive, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, and the emotions of others. EI is the ability to recognize how feelings influence thoughts and behaviors, to control impulsive reactions, to show empathy, and to manage social interactions effectively. High EI can lead to greater success in both personal and professional life, better mental health, and stronger relationships.
Unlike technical (“hard”) skills, which are job-specific, power skills enable people to effectively navigate the workplace and contribute to teams. Power skills are perceived to be innate–“either you are a people person, or you aren’t.” This is untrue. Power skills can be learned.
With the FTL course, learners develop:
- Adaptability: Adjusting quickly to changing circumstances and environments.
- Communication: Effectively conveying information and ideas through written, oral, and visual means.
- Critical thinking: Analyzing information and situations to make informed decisions.
- Collaboration: Working effectively with others towards a common goal.
- Creativity: Generating new ideas and approaches to problem-solving.
- Empathy: Understanding, and being aware of and sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another, by imaging yourself in their shoes.
- Listening: Accurately receiving, interpreting, and understanding spoken information from others by paying attention to the speaker, comprehending the full message (both verbal and non-verbal), remembering what was said, and providing an appropriate response.
- Rapport building: Consciously developing a comfortable connection with another person based on mutual trust, understanding, and emotional affinity.
The Flip the Lens People Power Skills Course is set up in seven modules. Each module provides an assignment that is structured into five segments that are manageable, enriching, and result in a satisfying concrete accomplishment.
Module One
Immerse yourself in the Flip the Lens approach to filmmaking and life.
Module One introduces the Flip the Lens philosophy, which is unique in that it uses digital devices to foster connection, curiosity, empathy, listening, purpose, and the ability to communicate with others–in ways that are fun, engaging, and creative!
Module One offers two gently thought-provoking videos as food for thought about what it means to be human, and a storyteller. Exercises invite filmmakers to consider what has shaped their own personal “story,” and how they might see themselves in others’ stories. The Modules encourage reflection on the purpose, message, meaning, and techniques of their filmmaking.
Module Two
Learn how to tell a compelling story
What is a story? While there are as many different opinions as there are people, the ancient philosopher Aristotle once said “A story that is whole has a beginning, middle and an end.” His wisdom continues to prevail today. We’ll break it down in this module.
Learn how to conduct an interesting interview
We reveal ten essential tips on how to make your video interview a powerful one! These broadcast journalism techniques will enable you to be prepared, make your subject comfortable, and create a video that looks great and has substance.
Module Three
It’s time to make your first film!
In today’s global world we are more connected than ever before…and yet, paradoxically, many of us often feel more alone, alienated, different, and less-than. The feeling of belonging is deeply inscribed in human nature. We all belong to something, yet it is a unique experience for each one of us.
With the Flip the Lens Belonging Project, you’ll interview someone about the concept of belonging, asking three questions that are simple, and yet sure to elicit powerful and highly personal views on this universal dimension of being human.
Module Four
Your next assignment as a Flip the Lens Filmmaker is to create a film for the Creativity Project.
You’ll conduct another three-question interview; this one will explore what it means to be creative.
Is there someone you know who has used imagination, ingenuity and originality to solve a problem? Or pioneered a new vision? Or create a unique piece of art?
Be part of building a body of documentary art that chronicles our human condition!
Module Five
Dive into Your Third Assignment with the Culture Project
Culture is both universal and personal. Culture provides ways to both express our individuality, and to see ourselves in others. Flip the Lens invites you to explore the meaning of culture by filming someone responding to three provocative questions. Be part of a movement to contribute to peace and understanding, and minimize misunderstanding and prejudice!
Module Six
Embark on Making a Mini Documentary with a Day in the Life of a Culture Creator
A core part of understanding the human experience is learning how different people live their lives and seeing how they contribute to humanity with their everyday actions
Create a “Day in the Life” video and film the activities of someone you think has an interesting life! Document what they do everyday that somehow makes an impact in their community, or the world at large.
Module Seven
Now it’s time to submit your work and get it published!
We’ll walk you through how to upload your four videos for review. You’ll get our feedback and any suggested revisions within five business days.
Once you make the requested edits, re-submit your videos. If all the recommendations have been addressed, your videos will be published on the Flip the Lens Youtube channel within five business days. These will appear as your playlist and serve as an impressive digital portfolio! Bravo!
Editing Resources
This course requires basic video editing skills and access to editing tools.
There are many free editing software programs. We offer a kit of tutorials and resources that may be helpful to those just starting out!
Our tutorials cover:
A Simple Guide to iPhone Filmmaking
How to Transfer Videos From Your iPhone to iMovie
Video Editing for Beginners using iMovie
Ready to Launch Your Filmmaker Today?
The cost for the Flip the Lens People Power Skills 7-module course and publication of your four videos on the FTL YouTube channel is $325.
Download the People Power Skills Course Now!
The Details
When?
Anytime!
This course is online and on-demand.
Engage with it at your convenience!
You have a year from the purchase of the course to submit your four videos, so there is no rush to complete your filming!
Where?
Anywhere!
100% with downloadable modules so you can go at your own pace!
The Flip the Lens People Power Skills Course gives you the skills and structure to conduct three powerful interviews and one mini documentary. We present you with storytelling and interviewing techniques and tips; technical tutorials; templates for creating four videos; and we’ll publish and promote your finished pieces!
Who?
This course is for creative, altruistic high school and college students who want to make an impact and are ready to get started as video creators. Eligibility:
- 9th-12th grade, college and Master’s students
- Located anywhere in the world
- Fluent in English
- Have access to a phone or camera with video capability
- Have a basic understanding of video editing and access to an editing tool
This Course is for students Who...
are creative
are aspiring or emerging video creators
want to develop interpersonal skills like curiosity, listening, communication
looking for an activity to boost confidence & ability to connect
need an alternative to social media
are storytellers at heart
have a fascination with other cultures around the world
seek a platform to explore our unique differences and shared humanity
want to make a difference in the world
We Help Students Build Their Digital Portfolio by
Telling Someone's Story. Connecting Cultures. Changing the World.
According to market research, a digital portfolio is essential to securing a professional job, regardless of your chosen industry.
We Help students Build A Digital Portfolio Demonstrating Skills, Substance & Social Impact!
credentials as a published creator
journalistic experience conducting on-camera interviews
content with purpose, depth, thoughtfulness, and maturity
projects that display interest in intercultural competence, global perspective, social equality
body of work that documents the human experience
Use a Camera as a Window Not a Mirror. Flip the Lens to be a Digital Ambassador For Humanity!
We Keep It Simple!
Don’t have a professional camera?
No need for super high-tech equipment, fancy sets, or complex editing.
If you have a phone, you’re a filmmaker!
Creating DIgital & Interpersonal Skills, Meaningful Achievement & Self Esteem
- Develop understanding of storytelling principles & techniques
- Conduct interviews on themes of Belonging, Creativity & Culture
- Participate in “practice” sessions of serious, meaningful conversations with others
- Engage in active listening exercises
- Learn protocols of how to extend meeting invitations and conduct appropriate follow-up
- Produce a mini-documentary on a “Day in the Life” of a culture creator
- Submit videos for feedback
- Get insider tips to maximize the impact of your films
- Publish your work on the Flip the Lens YouTube channel
- Share your professional quality playlist/digital portfolio with college admissions officers and prospective employers
- Explore our universal human condition, and personal purpose and vision
The Flip the Lens Difference: A Proprietary Platform Where Students' Videos Are Published
There are many platforms that teach how to make videos, but FTL is unique in that we not only help students create thoughtful and professional documentary films, but we publish them.
The videos of our filmmakers appear on Flip the Lens YouTube channel, and form their personal playlist and digital portfolio.
We license the People Power Skills Course to educators and youth organizations!
Differentiate your classroom with real-time, real-life lessons
on empathy, belonging, and the human condition.
Schools Our Alumni Attend
