First Person

Update from the Director

After two and half years of filming, I am proud (and relieved, and not a little sad...) to announce that First Person has wrapped production. On November 5, after filming with each of our students in their new post-high school worlds, we turned off the cameras for the last time.

First Person is now full-speed ahead on postproduction. Under the guidance of Emmy-winning Editor Sharon Mullally, we are looking forward to having a rough cut done in March and being ready for festival & broadcast submission in late 2007.

In the meantime, I am thrilled to share with you our new website and e-newsletter. Our new Video Clip of the Week and Student Blog features will keep you updated on the progress of the project and its stars, and I will continue to keep you posted on all of the screenings, fundraisers, and outreach events to come. Please spread the word!

Benjamin Herold
Director
First Person Documentary

Video Clip of the Week

In this week's clip, Steve takes center stage. Given a moment to celebrate their transition from boys into men, Steve and a friend give a spirited vocal performance that expresses all of the joy, relief, and emotion of finally graduating from high school.

First Person Video Gallery

Student Voices

Read Macho's blog post about his first day as a student at the Community College of Philadelphia. As we prepare for the release of the feature-length First Person film in late 2007, you can hear from each of the First Person students about their experiences in the documentary and what they are doing now through First Person's Student Blogs.

First Person Student Blogs

Get Involved

First Person is proud to feature Teach for America as one of our partner organizations working to promote college access for urban public high school students. In Summer 2006, First Person delivered a screening and workshop presentation to help orient over 130 Teach for America (TFA) corps members to the experiences and perspectives of Philadelphia students. TFA recruits promising young leaders to commit to teaching a minimum of two years urban and rural schools. In Philadelphia, TFA began the current school year with 260 teachers in 77 schools responsible for 22,000 students � over 12% of the School District of Philadelphia. Learn more about how you can apply to Teach for America.