Amplify Youth

How Amplify Youth Works

Amplify Youth is a modular youth media program. Young people begin with their own ideas, choose creative pathways that work for them, participate across different environments and create meaningful media and creative outputs.

The Amplify Youth Model

The model has four connected parts. It is structured enough to provide direction while remaining flexible enough for different interests, communication styles and ways of participating.

  1. 01

    Nodes

    Young people and their ideas.

  2. 02

    Pathways

    Creative storytelling and media-making.

  3. 03

    Environments

    Schools, community and online spaces.

  4. 04

    Outputs

    Videos, stories and creative work.

Amplify Youth participant during a project activity.
Amplify Youth begins with the young person, their interests and their ideas.

Stage 01

Nodes

Young people and their ideas.

The starting point is not a predetermined film or a requirement to perform. It is the young person: what interests them, what they want to explore and how they would like to contribute.

A participant can bring an idea, a question, a story, an interest or simply a willingness to try something creative.

Amplify Youth participants taking part in a filming activity.
Media-making provides multiple creative pathways, including on-camera and behind-the-scenes roles.

Stage 02

Pathways

Creative storytelling and media-making.

There is more than one pathway through Amplify Youth. Participants can choose activities and creative roles that match their interests, communication preferences and ways of participating.

  • Storytelling
  • Filming
  • Video editing
  • Captioning
  • Interviewing
  • Planning
  • Drawing
  • Writing
  • Zine-making
  • Reflection
  • Behind-the-scenes roles
Amplify Youth participants working together during a workshop.
Amplify Youth activities can take place in community, learning and digital environments.

Stage 03

Environments

Schools, community and online spaces.

The model is designed to work across different settings rather than depending on one particular venue or type of classroom.

Activities can be adapted to community settings, education environments and online or digital participation where appropriate.

Amplify Youth community screening preparation.
Creative work can develop into participant outputs, portfolios and community sharing opportunities.

Stage 04

Outputs

Videos, stories and creative work.

Participants can turn their ideas and creative work into practical outputs. What is produced depends on the activity and the choices of the people involved.

  • Short films
  • Video essays
  • Stories
  • Captioned media
  • Creative portfolios
  • Skills statements
  • Zines
  • Showcase-ready creative work

The pathway is flexible

Nodes, Pathways, Environments and Outputs describe the structure of Amplify Youth. They do not prescribe one identical journey for every participant.

A young person can participate through different creative roles and communication approaches. They do not have to appear on camera, speak in front of a group, perform publicly or share personal experiences in order to take part.