James Clemens’ JETS Press films video to support “Invisible Children”

The JETS Press at James Clemens High School has created a video response to “MOVE,” the new viral sensation on YouTube.

A frame from "Because I'm a Kid" by JETS Press.

The controversial nonprofit organization, Invisible Children, created “MOVE” and also created the 2012 “KONY” video earlier this year.

Invisible Children is an organization that three young men started while adventure seeking in Africa. In Uganda, they discovered tremendous poverty, horrific violence and terrorists’ threats, motivating them to take action to make a difference.

Led by James Clemens teacher Daniel Whitt, the teenage journalists in JETS Press produced their new film, “Because I’m a Kid.” In just twelve hours after its release, the film received more than 1,600 views on YouTube.

“The video was written, filmed and edited in one school day,” Whitt said. “It features 30 teenage students who collectively perform a cohesive ‘monologue’ that focuses on Joseph Kony, Invisible Children, child exploitation and feelings of responsibility.”

In a snippet from “Because I’m a Kid,” the cast says, “I can see an apparent evil from miles away. Why? Because the Internet has shrunk our world …”

The James Clemens students decided to tackle a controversial topic and support a controversial organization “in hopes of spreading truth and awareness for something that was shrugged off as ‘just an Internet fad,'” Whitt said.

JETS Press, dubbed an organization and not a class, is dedicated to communicating globally, finding a sincere voice, empathizing with humanity and mastering modern communication tools, Whitt said.

“Already, they’ve been asked to share their video at a Huntsville screening on Nov. 14 that will include representatives from the California-based Invisible Children, as well as an escaped prisoner from Kony’s organization, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), in Uganda,” Whitt said.

In 2011, Whitt and his students at Liberty Middle School produced the “I’m Human” video that received international acclaim. Whitt now works as a specialist of 21st-century media at James Clemens and is continuing his socially conscious communications program on a high school level.

Students in JETS Press request the public to view the video, respond and share the video, if motivated. To view the video, visit http://goo.gl/RQNqc.

For more information, send email to dmwhitt@madisoncity.k12.al.us.