Straight up lausd

DRAFT “Straight-Up” Giving LAUSD’s Youth a Voice!

One Hour Television - Talk/Variety Series Created by Richard Quinones in Collaboration with Ron Chandler

“Straight UP” is Created by Richard Quinones in Collaboration with Ron Chandler

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Introduction Across hundreds of television and streaming media channels everyday content can be found focused on kids. However all too often the focus is on the tragic circumstances our youth face every day, like teen suicide, school shootings, gangs, drugs, or mental illness. Beyond the headlines – what do we really know about the youth of our county; what makes them tick; how do they cope with the tremendous challenges of being a kid; what ideas do they have to contribute; and why do we seem to be so out of touch with how they think, feel, and behave?

The fact is society often places very high value on our youth, but pays very little attention to what they have to say. Moreover, in one of the richest countries in the world - our youth often feel closed out and closed in. They have very few options to interact with one another – to share their thoughts and desires, beyond social media; which can often seem empty and dangerous virtual avenues to interact and share their thoughts and feelings.

Now imagine offering LAUSD youth a single media platform designed specifically to allow them the ability to tell their own stories, to interact with each other in honest and entertaining debate, to show off their talents and skills, but mainly a place for our youth to go to connect and empower each other. Imagine the value such a platform would offer kids while informing parents and communities.

“Straight UP” is Created by Richard Quinones in Collaboration with Ron Chandler

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The Show: “Straight Up” Giving LAUSD Youth a Voice!

A One Hour Television Talk/Variety Show – for Youth “Straight Up” – is produced around eight pillars which act as the framework for all show content. This framework serves to create a safe haven for self-exploration, self-development and inspirers a community of love and support. No matter the content e.g. interviews, debate, story-telling, music and dance performance and more, all content is produced around the following eight pillars: 1.

Thinking – the most valuable of all life skills a child could have is the ability to think. Discussing a subject, inviting their ideas, posing questions, are some of the best ways to get a child thinking. Thinking is where our intelligence is gestated. Thinking about a subject is essential to develop understanding. And it’s enhanced by talking.

2.

Understanding – this only begins when a child can view a subject in various ways, think about it, and put it in their own words. Through talking about something children really begin to have their own understanding of it. Encouraging talk encourages understanding. A good way to encourage talk is through questioning.

3.

Questioning

– develops thinking too. Questioning is an important part of learning and

understanding. The opportunity to question makes children proactive learners rather than passive ones who never move beyond being spoon fed. Encouraging them to ask their own intelligent questions helps develop other vital learning skills like their ability to observe and analyze.

4.

Observing and Analyzing – Encouraging observation and analysis through talk helps children develop thinking skills along with the ability to discuss, argue, reason, and disagree without falling out. Children need to be talking in order for these processes to take place. This also keeps them engaged.

5.

Engaging – children learning children. Talking helps this happen. Children who are told to be quiet and are talked at quickly disengage. Children who are listened to and encouraged to talk remain more engaged. Part of being engaged is listening.

6.

Listening – we need to listen so children learn to listen. Listening is part of the talking process.

They need the chance to talk and us to listen. This is part of respect and other important social skills

7.

Social skills – you cannot have well developed social skills if you cannot hold a conversation.

This requires kids to talk. You cannot develop conversation skills without talking and listening.

And this develops use of language.

8.

Language – and vocabulary can be developed more through talking than it can through writing.

It is a precursor to writing. Talking is the original medium through which language use develops.

But we tend to forget that through obsession with written language more than spoken. Children need opportunities to talk and discuss with adults as well as other children for their language development.

“Straight UP” is Created by Richard Quinones in Collaboration with Ron Chandler

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It is not difficult to imagine the vast array of subjects and experiences “Straight Up” will explore – here are just a few:

“Straight Up” – From a Kids Point of View

Violence In in the media Dealing with Divorce Dealing with Death I’ve been physically abused Mentors What do I want to be when I’ve been sexually abused I grow up What about sex Making Friends What about parents What about drugs What about school Running Away What about mental illness – Finding/preparing a Job & not sure where to go for keeping it help Hobbies Music Career Development Dance College Preparation Sports

“Straight UP” is Created by Richard Quinones in Collaboration with Ron Chandler

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Straight Up - Is Fresh and Familiar!

It’s Unique…considering there is no talk/variety show of its kind on the air (focused on youth 10-18 and up).

It’s Fresh…combine the humor of the Ellen Show, with the passion and expertise of The Dr. Phil Show, then add the personality of Steve Harvey and his genuine compassion and love for people, mix that up with America’s Got Talent - caliber performances, celebrities interviews and expert guests, but especially focusing on average young people sharing their stories of triumph and challenge – all tailored to youth 10-18…and you have truly great television – in the making.

The Ellen Show

The Steve Harvey Show

The Dr. Phil show

America’s Got Talent

“Straight UP” is Created by Richard Quinones in Collaboration with Ron Chandler

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Additional Details Show is recorded in studio with a live student audience and virtual audience two-way connections allowing youth from various LAUSD schools to participate Each show features pre-produced field segments featuring amazing youth covering a great variety of subjects/story telling including (Entrepreneurs, music, fashion, science, mathematics, technology, current events, personal stories, etc…)

Every show will feature music or dance talent – with a tremendous back-story “Straight Up” can have a house band, dancers and singers – featuring youth

“Straight UP” is Created by Richard Quinones in Collaboration with Ron Chandler

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