Finding Their Voice Through Free Spirit Media

Since 2001, Free Spirit Media has helped high school students learn various media outlets, 
specializing in youth activism and short documentaries.  "I was frustrated by the lack of 
diversity in the business and the stories that were not being told," said founder and 
executive director Jeff McCarter in a recent interview with WGN News. "Kids have 
so much passion and they need opportunities to exercise their voices."

Wedged in Chicago’s south side, between boarded up houses and congested freeways, a handful of high school students huddle in the control room of Free Spirit Media’s headquarters, ready to direct the night’s performances.  Two floors below, eager parents and children fill the seats of the Gary Comer Youth Center gymnasium waiting for the annual “Black Youthstory” talent show to start. 

Free Spirit Media News staff and students: (back row, left to right) Teresa White, Rashad
Woods, Micole Vinson, Shantelle Jefferson, Joshua Patterson, Chad Rispalje. (front row,
 left to right) Mia McDonald, Anthony Boatwright, Daisha Hill, and Charla Agnew.        

“Don’t be nervous, you guys got this.” said Free Spirit Media News’ Program Coordinator Teresa White reassuring the teenage-filled room.  The students nod and giggle quietly as their eyes become fixated on the flat screen TV across the room.       

“Stand-by camera one…” said 15-year-old Troyonna Anderson, a freshman at Kenwood Academy High School.  “Camera two go.”    The screen comes alive showing multiple camera angles of the stage venue.  The students watch in a trance, taking turns in groups of two to direct the camera crew in the gym.  Poised and calm, it’s hard to believe just three weeks ago the students were learning their first lessons on video production.

17-year-old Julian Williams (left) and Free Spirit Media
News Program Coordinator, Teresa White (right)
review one of the student’s video interviews on the
TV screen during a class session on February 9^th, 2012.        

Founded by cameraman and Emmy-award winning producer, Jeff McCarter, who aspired to serve its community’s underprivileged youth, Free Spirit Media was formed in 2000 with the success of the high school sports broadcasting program HoopsHIGH.  In 2001, FSM evolved into media activism as the students began creating documentaries, public service announcements, and news productions on their own.    

Free Spirit Media’s Technology Coordinator, Chad
Rispalje plays back the recorded interviews while White
and the student’s critique their reporting skills.    

“It’s so important for these young people to have a voice,” said McCarter after the video premiere of Free Spirit Media’s annual showcase, “Graduating to the Big Screen” at the ICE Theaters in North Lawndale on President’s Day.  “They need an outlet to be heard, and we need to see and hear it.”

Now having served up to 3,000 students, Free Spirit Media has helped motivate its youth to pursue their passions, regardless of obstacles that may come their way.

“To be in this program, you have to be a special student,” said White.  “One that is willing to attend school all day and then come to an after-school program that demands similar energy.  I’m actually not surprised most of the FSM students already have their life goals in place."

After reviewing the video interviews, the students
break out in groups to finish last minute
touches on their news segments.  Dunbar High
School student’s Micole Vinson (left) and
Charla Agnew (right) practice their voice-
over script needed to complete their projects.    

Prior to joining Free Spirit Media’s team, Technology Coordinator Chad Rispalje didn’t have a background in teaching.  But after observing and collaborating with the students on their video projects, he’s learned to step back and allow the kids to take over.  “I’m learning to ask questions in a way that lets them learn how to take ownership of their work.  It’s really rewarding watching them show others as they advance through the program.”

As the show comes to a close, White and Rispalje are merely against the wall as the students direct the cameras on their own.

“Camera two inch up a little above their waists.” said 17-year-old Charla Agnew as she adjusts her headphones.

“Every year the kids set up new rules for themselves to abide by,”
said White pointing to the “Crew Agreement” poster
hanging against the wall in sight for the students
when they walk in the classroom.     

Founder Jeff McCarter congratulating Free Spirit Media
students during the “Graduating to the Big Screen” premiere
at ICE Theaters in North Lawndale on February 20^th,
2012. “To you young people, you are the reason, the truth,
 the inspiration to Free Spirit and have taught us so much about
ourselves in the process of teaching you… thank you for that.”    

“Camera three isn’t getting any love,” laughs one of the students in the back of the room.  

“Stand-by camera three… Okay camera three go.” says Agnew.

Suddenly camera three jolts up and down uncontrollably on screen.  The students gasp in panic.    

Program Coordinator Teresa White (far right) assisting Free Spirit Media student’s (left to right) Jamie
Stubbs and Troyonna Anderson as they direct the “Black Youthstory” talent show.    

Free Spirit Media students, (left to right) Joshua Patterson, Charla Agnew, Micole Vinson, and N’Dea Davis, 

observe the TV screen as their teammates direct the “Black Youthstory” talent show on February 24^th, 2012.

The students take turns directing and coordinating the talent show, using the
flat screen (normally used for their FSM News productions) as their on-air guide.    

“Camera one go!” exclaims Agnew as the room fills with uproarious laughter.


After the last performance, the audience spills out to the lobby.  The FSM students close up their video equipments and call for their rides home.  Some pair up in threes to walk to the bus stop, arming their ears with shared iPod earbuds.  They cover themselves with thick coats and dumbbell heavy backpacks while politely saying good-bye to Ms. White and Mr. Rispalje.  Their work is done for tonight but continues in jabbering conversation as the students walk slowly through the halls, echoing a camaraderie of exhaustion and laughter.