Friday, February 6, 2009
SpyHop Productions
Posted By Gavin Sheehan on February 6, 2009, 12:29 PM
For
a lot of local youths looking to get into media and entertainment,
there aren't a lot of options around outside playing in garage bands
and making home movies. But for a good decade SpyHop Productions has
been looking to change all that. 
--- Providing the tools and teachers in
areas of film, music, television and more while making their own
impact on the local entertainment scene as a whole. I got a chance
to chat with a number of the staff about the company, programs they
have, thoughts on local entertainment and more. Along with some photos of the place which included KISS Pinball!
SpyHop
Productions
http://www.spyhop.org/
(Answering
questions: John Boyack, Rick Wray, Jeremy Chatelain, Frank Feldman, Kofi Sessi,
Chris Manfre)
Gavin:
Hey guys. First off, tell us a little bit about yourselves.
John:
I've been in Marketing & Events for Spy Hop since July of last
year, and with the organization over a year. I'm originally
from Seattle but have lived off and on in Salt Lake since 2001. I
love hydroplane racing and bird watching.
Gavin:
For those who don't know, what is Spy Hop Productions?
John:
Spy Hop Productions is a not-for-profit youth media arts and
education center whose purpose is to empower youth to express their
voice and with it create positive change in their lives, their
community, and the world. Our mission is to encourage free
expression, self-discovery, critical and inventive thinking, and
skilled participation via the big screen, the airwaves, and the
world-wide-web. Spy Hop is committed to the following
organizational objectives: Providing safe after-school and summer
time mentoring programs for diverse youth (K-12) in emerging digital
technologies and the media arts Developing 21st century skills in
youth: community and global awareness, critical thinking, problem
solving, communication, collaboration, and media literacy
Promoting
positive youth development through individuality, leadership,
creativity and intellectual curiosity Increasing higher education
and/or vocational opportunities
Gavin:
Where did the idea come from to start up this kind of
project?
Rick: Ive been teaching for 18 years
and searching for creative and alternative ways to teach. I hooked
up with a film maker in 1997 and had some early initial success with
kids who weren't responding to traditional textbook teaching. And
based off that class we continued to build the ciriculum.
Gavin:
The program is a totally educational non-profit. How does the
program itself stay funded and remain open? Is there anything people
can do to help?
John:
Funding comes from a variety of sources. It's interesting,
these days a lot of non-profits are struggling to keep their doors
open, but Spy Hop has been able to push forward with different kinds
of revenue streams including tuition, foundation / corporation
grants, government support, individual donors and through for-hire
projects our Alumni Media Studio can handle. Individuals can
support by volunteering at our special events throughout the year
(concerts, screenings, annual benefit), or by making a donation
online at our website. Our single fund raising event will be
held this April 30th, from 6:30 - 9:30 PM at Rose Wagner, and usually
helps us generate around $90,000 for Spy Hop's programs. For
more information, contact John Boyack.
Gavin:
With all the stuff that's produced from Spy Hop, is there any work
we would recognize over the years that came from you?
John:
Huge question -- probably the most notable being the Peabody Award
or the opportunity to present at the United Nations. Please
refer to the website for a full listing.
Gavin:
When it finally opened up what was the public reaction to it, and
what was that first year like?
Rick: It takes a
lot of time to get off the ground, but it was very well received. I
think initially people stumbled upon the name, but we wanted to
create a name kids could attached themselves to. We've had great
success with the kids who have come out of the program.
Gavin:
You hire a number of professionals to help guide the program. Who
are some of the staff you have on board? And do any former students
come through to teach or volunteer?
John:
Jeremy Chatelain, Koffi Sessi, Jeremy Nielsen, Jarrett Reich, Chris
Manfre, Frank Feldman. Colby Bryson is a former student now
managing our Alumni Media Studio full time. Spy Hop enjoys a
heavy interest. The general public, former filmmakers, recent
college graduates, even retired professionals contact us for
employment almost daily. The individual mentors on staff have
an undying commitment to youth media arts and education, and are
professionals at their craft.
Gavin:
How did you come to start Pitch-Nic, and how has that one done as
well?
Rick: That was born out of a staff
collaboration, Chris started the film program here and he designed
the dream course he was never able to take in college. We were
looking for different way for kids to articulate their ideas. It was
a quirky way to get kids to find a way to pitch their ideas.
Gavin:
On a music front, you've got a lot of programs that run the gambit
from DJ work creating full albums. Is it easier or more difficult
working with an all-audio medium?
John:
Similar challenges are faced approaching most types of media art, so
hire the appropriate staff to head those programs is essential.
It seems like we have more audio production and music performance
experience in the office than any other -- Jeremy Nielsen, Matt
Matues, and Jeremy Chatelain are all seasoned musicians and
performers, and Koffi Sessi has an extensive track record producing
sound (he also specializes in hand drums!). We hope we can face
most of the challenges with new programs head on with our experience,
and find the right kids to fill our classes and pass the torch
to.
Gavin:
With all the material that becomes produced but never pressed, has
there ever been a thought to release a compilation on Spy Hop
Records?
John:
We actually produce and create compilations annually, in each
discipline. They're currently for sale and available on our
website, but we haven't yet pushed hard to sell those. We're
looking to create more opportunities for distribution in the future,
and to ramp up our online store and merchandise presence at events
this year. Stay tuned!
Gavin:
You also have programs in interactive media. Is there a lot of
interest in those areas, or a lack from new generations learning it
from home?
Chris: Sometimes
it can be tough to get kids away from their computers at home when
they have design and animation software. But I think a lot of kids
get inspired by working with their peers and learning in a more
creative atmosphere. Also in the interactive media program, kids have
the opportunity to collaborate with the audio and video students
which can be great if you create a Flash animation and have access to
a sound studio and someone to create custom music and sound design.
We have had a lot of interest in this program lately and we are
constantly trying new things to keep it fresh. 
Gavin:
Spy Hop hits the ten year marker this year. How does it feel, and
will you be doing anything to celebrate it?
John:
April 30th, our Annual Benefit and Auction will be a huge
celebration with alumni, former staffers and a look back at where Spy
Hop originated and what it's become. Without getting too
nostalgic, we'll close the evening with a strong focus on our future,
and the future of Salt Lake's creative economy as it pertains to
youth here, and how we can continue to provide our younger community
with cutting-edge programs and a leg up in the professional and
academic worlds.
Gavin:
Going local for a bit, what are your thoughts on our film scene,
both good and bad?
Frank: I'm positive about our
scene, I think there's a lot of talent here and its thriving well. I
participate a little bit myself. I got a small film produced last
year and that was largely due to networking and finding people who
had equipment and could do it for cheap. So that's really positive
to find other people locally who are into making film that
way.
Gavin:
Is there anything you believe could be done to make it bigger or
better?
Frank: I think awareness outside of SLC would
be the best for us. Being able to bring in money and have more
investment in film production that's home grown. I suppose there's
some money for more of the LDS film community and more interest
there, but for those of us not making those films there's not a lot
of awareness.
Gavin:
Do you believe the many festivals that come through in the winter
help or hinder local film makers?
Frank: Good
question. I think that it helps in one way because it exposes us to
films that for the large part aren't going to be seen outside that
festival environment. So that helps because we're able to see whats
going on in the rest of the world. But the flipside is that the
local understanding of it is that Sundance is the big festival and we
don't see a lot of showcasing of the local community and its hard to
drum up interest for it.
Gavin:
On music, do you have any thoughts on our local scene and the
material coming out of it today?
Jeremy C.: I think
its pretty thriving these days, lots of diverse bands, taken the
initiative to take go on tours and make albums and make themselves
known on a more national level. In a few more years we might be a
force to be reckoned with.
Koffi:
Although relatively small compared to other markets, the Salt
Lake music scene is buzzing with life. There are a lot of bands
working behind the scene and a lot of underground activity. The
size of the market makes the competition between bands fierce. That
in turn, is positively influencing the quality of the work that is
coming out. Not all the work is up to par but I do believe with the
growth of the market, things are only gonna get better... and for all
the Salt Lake music industry players.
Gavin:
Touching on broadcasting, how did you get involved with the Loud &
Clear program through KRCL?
Rick: I'm pretty
familiar with the other youth radio programs across the county and
was disappointed SLC radio didn't have one. Its been four years now
since we negotiated that deal. Kids who take part in it can play
music they enjoy and some play their own material and toher local
youth music.
Gavin:
What can we expect from Spy Hop and its staff the rest of the
year?
John:
More of the same! Spy Hop will continue to build on its success
and its long lasting impact, changing the lives of youth here, and
helping prepare them for the road ahead. You can expect more
music, higher quality films, bigger events and a continual effort at
providing youth cutting-edge programs throughout the calendar
year.
Gavin:
Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
John:
Our Annual Benefit & Auction is coming up April 30th, 2009 --
Tickets are only $60 and provide admission to a one-of-a-kind fund
raising event, featuring food and wine from several fine-dining,
downtown restaurants, beer and wine, live music and radio
performances plus our unconventional auction where individuals can
bid for Executive and Associate Producer rights to our Pitch-Nic
films, as well as support our other programs.
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