Teen filmmakers' online opps

We read about all the everyday writing experience teen bloggers are amassing; the same is happening with young videographers, veejays, and filmmakers. The Minneapolis Star Tribune tells the story of 15- and 16-year-old Anthony Hernandez (15) and Dustin Gillard (16) of Austin, Minn., whose 10-minute video “Anywhere USA” focusing on illegal immigration “was chosen as the grand prize winner in a national contest sponsored by CSPAN (see StudentCam.org). “Making movies has become a favorite pastime for many teens,” the Star Tribune reports. “Armed with digital cameras, film editing software and limitless imaginations, they're riffing on everything from gay marriage to gun control. And their films are debuting at local youth film festivals and on such internet sites such as www.youtube.com.” Meanwhile, in the Los Angeles Times editorializes about how it looks like the music industry may take a different approach with YouTube (kind of the new Napster) than the way it dealt with Napster. “Some labels and songwriters are looking for a way to turn online video into a profit center.” And CNET reports that one label, EMI, is “courting” YouTube and other video upload sites to help it fight piracy.