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Special Announcement "TEEN TRUTH: BODY IMAGE - NOW AVAILABLE" We are proud to announce the release of the third film in our student-created, award-winning TEEN TRUTH series, TEEN TRUTH: BODY IMAGE. To see a trailer for the highly anticipated film shot in High Definition, please Click For Details » |
June 8, 2009
HRM & Rapport Education MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! Recently TEEN TRUTH announced the winners of this year's ULTIMATE DIFFERENCE MAKER AWARD to students in both California and Missouri. We are excited to announce that when HRM and Rapport Leadership heard about our award, they decided to help make the award even bigger! Read More » |
We are proud to announce the release of the third film in our student-created, award-winning TEEN TRUTH series, TEEN TRUTH: BODY IMAGE.
To see a trailer for the highly anticipated film shot in High Definition, please click on the YouTube video below:
If you can not view YouTube please visit this link:
http://teentruthlive.com/marketing/SNEAK_PREVIEW/TT_BODY_IMAGE.html
You can currently purchase the film and in-class curriculum at HRMvideo.com (search keyword: TEEN TRUTH). Our website will be updated in coming weeks with more exclusive video and information.
TEEN TRUTH: BODY IMAGE is funded in part by:
The Efrain Anthony Marrero Foundation - Vacaville, California
Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Center - Ottawa, Canada
The Kristen Watt Foundation - Stockton, California
The Taylor Hooton Foundation - Plano, Texas
Proceeds from this film will go to help these non-profit organizations in their fight against eating disorders and steroid abuse.
Close friends and family also supported the production of this film. Our new message would not be possible without the generous donations from:
Jay & Jean Pohl
Mike & Diane Machado
Georges & Nicole Robichon
William & Grace Machado
John & Marie Collura
Jay & Angela Ellis
Pete & Cathy Palermo
Jeff & Jennifer Kolterman
Jack Grimes
Jason Sarich
Blake Boznanski
Bob Falar
Bob & Pat Rapaport
Janice Collura & Brian Ayers
John & Natasha Collura
Richard & Sheri Woodburn
Nikki & Carlos Hernandez
Jane Lee
James Johnstone
Judy Smith
To these donors and our partner organizations we are thankful. They have helped us make a difference in the lives of students across North America.
In addition, congratulations to the cast and crew for their hard work and determination in finishing this very important film.
Information about TEEN TRUTH LIVE: BODY IMAGE will be announced soon. We are currently working with a team of very talented speakers to bring their personal stories to students and schools across the country.
If you are interested in learning more about this film you can read the following TEEN TRUTH: BODY IMAGE synopsis:
Regardless of how closely their actual figure resembles their perception, teenagers' body image can affect their self-esteem, eating and exercise habits, relationships with others and ultimately their health. Using the series' signature student-shot style, TEEN TRUTH: BODY IMAGE presents real youths, parents, physicians, physiologists, and an entertainment professional discussing how celebrity, media, sports and peer influences can shape one's body image and ultimately lead to dangerous habits. Teasing and exclusion led Emily to develop an eating disorder and Kayla to binge eat her way to obesity; while Nolan's desire to be bigger, stronger and faster ended in health hazards due to performance enhancing drug use. In the end, this affecting film challenges viewers to think differently about how they see their body image and the body images of others, and ultimately empowers them to find true strength and beauty from within.
If your school is interested in bringing one of our thought provoking films or programs to your campus, please contact us ASAP at info@teentruthlive.com. Fall dates are booking up quickly.
June 8, 2009
1. Human Relations Media (HRM) has committed $500 in scholarship money to our winning students.
2. Rapport Leadership has committed a full scholarship for our high school level winner to attend their TEEN LEADERSHIP BREAKTHROUGH class. An $800 value!
We are so excited and grateful to have the support of these two amazing organizations. They are truly MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE!
Congratulations to our winners Emily McClain, Savannah Kesserling, and Madeleine Hulstrom, and thank you to the staff at HRM and Rapport Education for making a difference in the lives of our ULTIMATE DIFFERENCE MAKERS.
In an effort to encourage students to make a difference in their communities, TEEN TRUTH LIVE has created this new innovative award program.
Each school that hosts one of our three life changing programs has the opportunity to select a DIFFERENCE MAKER from their school.
At the end of the school year a panel of TEEN TRUTH LIVE representatives reviews each school's DIFFERENCE MAKER application and selects a High School and Middle School ULTIMATE DIFFERENCE MAKER from the schools that TEEN TRUTH LIVE visited that year.
Hopefully next year your students, friends, or family members can make a difference and TEEN TRUTH and its partners will be there to award them also.
This is our way of making a difference and giving back... What is yours?
May 28, 2009
In an effort to encourage students to make a difference in their communities, TEEN TRUTH LIVE has launched a new innovative award program.
Each school that hosted one of our three life changing programs has the opportunity to select a DIFFERENCE MAKER from their school.
At the end of the school year a panel of TEEN TRUTH LIVE representatives will review each school's DIFFERENCE MAKER application and select a High School and Middle School ULTIMATE DIFFERENCE MAKER from the schools that TEEN TRUTH LIVE visited that year. Each ULTIMATE DIFFERENCE MAKER will win a $250 scholarship.
We are pleased to announce that this year's Middle School level award was split between two amazing students, Emily McClain & Savannah Kesselring, from Charleston Middle School in Charleston, MO.
Both young women are being recognized for this award because they took it upon themselves to step outside of their comfort zones and make a difference in the life of a fellow student. Their principal, Jason Roberts, reported to us that within a month of his students seeing TEEN TRUTH LIVE he was extremely impressed by the shift in school culture. However, nothing impressed him more than hearing about how Savannah and Emily took it upon themselves one lunch period to excuse themselves from their "usual" table, with their "usual" group of friends, to get up and share lunch with a fellow classmate who was sitting alone and being excluded from the overall school community.
This action epitomizes what TEEN TRUTH LIVE is all about, and in the words of the school's guidance counselor, Lyndsi Lee, these young women sat with the student during lunch "so that he would know that someone cares about him, hopefully inspiring others to take a similar approach to their classmates."
We are proud to bestow this split $250 scholarship to Ms. McClain & Ms. Kesselring as they become 8th graders and future DIFFERENCE MAKERS in their community.
This is our way of making a difference and giving back... What is yours?
If your school is interested in bringing one of our thought provoking films or programs to your campus please contact us ASAP at info@teentruthlive.com.
Fall dates are booking up quickly.
May 14, 2009In an effort to encourage students to make a difference in their communities, TEEN TRUTH LIVE has launched a new innovative award program.
Each school that hosted one of our three life changing programs has the opportunity to select a DIFFERENCE MAKER from their school.
At the end of the school year a panel of TEEN TRUTH LIVE representatives will review each school's DIFFERENCE MAKER application and select a High School and Middle School ULTIMATE DIFFERENCE MAKER from the schools that TEEN TRUTH LIVE visited that year. Each ULTIMATE DIFFERENCE MAKER will win a $250 Scholarship.
We are pleased to announce that this year's High School level winner is twelfth grader Madeleine Hulstrom from Linden High School in Linden, California.
Madeleine is an avid volunteer, a committed public speaker, and a true leader. She has been described by her guidance counselor as a "young woman who puts others before herself" and by her principal as an "instrumental part of her school's climate and organization". Madeleine believes that "leadership is action, not position" and it is this mantra that has helped her make a difference in several ways. These include, donating her time to the local children's hospital, her community's mission hall, and creating new organizations on campus.
We are proud to bestow this $250 scholarship to Ms. Hulstrom as she graduates high school and makes plans to move to Los Angeles to attend UCLA. We wish her the best of luck in her endeavors and look forward to hearing more about how she continues to make a difference in the world.
The middle school level winner will be announced later this month and promises to be a difference maker of similar importance and stature in his/her school and community.
This is our way of making a difference and giving back... What is yours?
If your school is interested in bringing one of our thought provoking films or programs to your campus please contact us ASAP at info@teentruthlive.com.
Fall dates are booking up quickly.
Visit TeenTruthLive.com for more information.
May 7, 2009After reviewing many deserving applications sent in from students and educators, our contest jury has selected the following California schools to receive the free presentations in the 2009-2010 school year.
The winners are:
TEEN TRUTH LIVE: BULLY
- Juan Crespi Middle School (El Sobrante, CA)
- Carver Middle School (Los Angeles, CA)
- Hook Jr. High School (Victorville, CA)
- Sheldon High School (Sacramento, CA)
- Bear Valley Middle School (Escondido, CA)
TEEN TRUTH LIVE: DRUGS & ALCOHOL
- Monta Vista High School (Cupertino, CA)
- South Tahoe Middle School (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
- Prairie Vista Middle School (Hawthorne, CA)
- Ceres High School (Ceres, CA)
- Rincon Valley Charter School (Santa Rosa, CA)
From Comcast, Time Warner, and TEEN TRUTH, congratulations to the winning schools and thank you to all of the students and educators who took the time and effort to complete the contest application.
If your school is interested in bringing one of our thought provoking programs to your campus please contact us ASAP. Fall dates are booking up quickly.
Visit TeenTruthLive.com for more information.
Contact us at info@teentruthlive.com or 310.779.3881 to book a presentation today!
February 2, 2009We have just been informed that TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS & ALCOHOL has also received the 2009 CINE SPECIAL JURY AWARD for the best film in its entire category.
We are humbled to have such recognition bestowed on our film and we hope that you all can find the time to watch it. This is the 3rd nationally recognized award that this film has won.
We would like to congratulate the teams at Human Relations Media, B1 Films, Horizon Intertainment, and all the students and crew who worked hard to make TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS & ALCOHOL.
To date this poignant film created to help battle teen drug & alcohol abuse has reached an estimated 300,000 students across the US and Canada.
For more information about how to purchase TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS & ALCOHOL please visit TeenTruthLive.com.
TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS & ALCOHOL was written and directed by Erahm Christopher, produced by JC Pohl and Erahm Christopher, and exec produced by Brian Johnson.
Please watch for the release of our third TEEN TRUTH film, TEEN TRUTH: BODY IMAGE.
January 6, 2009We would like to congratulate the teams at Human Relations Media, B1 Films, Horizon Intertainment, and all the students and crew who worked hard to make TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS & ALCOHOL.
To date this poignant film created to help battle teen drug & alcohol abuse has reached an estimated 300,000 students across the US and Canada.
For more information about how to purchase TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS & ALCOHOL please visit TeenTruthLive.com.
TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS & ALCOHOL was written and directed by Erahm Christopher, produced by JC Pohl and Erahm Christopher, and exec produced by Brian Johnson.
October 30, 2008
If you would like to view this coverage you can visit:
http://www.youtube.com/teentruthlive
or you can click on the links below:
KUSI - San Diego, CA
ABC - Reno, NV
Reno Gazette-Journal - Reno, NV
http://teentruthlive.com/press_material/Articles/reno_bully.html
The Ontario Federation of Home and School Associates - Ontario, Canada
http://www.ofhsa.info/EcrewNews/articleTemplate.cfm?ArticleID=23&IssueID=12
Thank you for your time and support. You are truly helping us MAKE A DIFFERENCE in students' lives across the nation.
October 21, 2008In celebration of this effort to make a difference, we have revamped our website and created a new trailer. This short video highlights the work that we are doing in schools and how we are encouraging students & educators across the county to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
So far our travels have taken us all over California, Nevada, Kansas, Texas, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Canada. We have loved every minute of the work that we are doing, and we hope that you will take the time to watch this trailer and support our efforts.
Please visit our new site and trailer here:
Updates include:
- New "About" page with easy to read prices and product descriptions
- New "About/FAQ" pages for both our BULLY and DRUGS & ALCOHOL programs
- New easy to read calendar that extends to 2009
- New "Research" section that provides educators with research on the TEEN TRUTH LIVE presentations, as well as other resources that they can use to stop school violence and drug & alcohol abuse
Thank you for your time and support. You are truly helping us MAKE A DIFFERENCE in students lives across the nation.
July 22, 2008The two filmmakers were featured on the "Mornings on 2" news show. To see the interview click on the link below:
Dates for the 2008-2009 tour are booking up fast. Presentations for both the BULLY and DRUGS & ALCOHOL programs have been scheduled across California, Nevada, and Quebec. In addition, TEEN TRUTH LIVE: BULLY has recently been booked to present to students in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
If you would like to book a date or know someone who might be interested you can contact us at info@teentruthlive.com
We need your help to make a difference.
May 28, 2008This award honors an exemplary artist, community advocate, and/or groundbreaking leader from the local community - who endeavors: to promote cross-cultural appreciation; to catalyze the creative arts; to utilize the power of various types of media; and to contribute to the quality of life for the greater community and beyond. Christopher will be recognized along with jury-awarded and audience-awarded filmmakers from around the world at the 1st International SJ Film Festival Finale and Awards Gala, to be held on June 8, 2008 at 6:30PM, at Faye Spanos Concert Hall on the campus of University of the Pacific.
During the film festival, Erahm Christopher will be featured among four dynamic filmmakers in the "Conversations with Filmmakers" forum series. Christopher's forum will be held on June 6, 2008 at 10:00AM at the Pacific Theatre at University of the Pacific.
Three of Christopher's short films are part of the festival's 2008 Official Selection: EDMUND (West Coast Premiere), THE INK DRINKER (USA Premiere), THE PIANO LESSON: A COMEDIA OPERA (Central Valley premiere).
For showtimes and tickets, visit www.sjccm.org/sjff08
May 23, 2008We would like to congratulate the teams at Human Relations Media, B1 Films, Horizon Intertainment, and all the students and crew who worked hard to make TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS & ALCOHOL.
We are proud of this award and are excited to see TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS & ALCOHOL reach students across the nation through HRM's distribution network and our new TEEN TRUTH LIVE: DRUGS & ALCOHOL school assembly program.
March 31, 2008In an effort to raise awareness about the harmful effects of eating disorders, TEEN TRUTH Director Erahm Christopher created a unique Promo Film for Hopewell, a Non-Profit organization based in Ottawa, Canada. The film combines live action, animation and story telling to help educate their clients about eating disorders.
If you would like to view the PSA or learn more about Hopewell you can visit:
http://www.hopewell.on.ca/en/content/me-and-ed-true-story
February 15, 2008The speaking program is delivered in the same interactive style as TEEN TRUTH LIVE: BULLY. It includes an introduction about Erahm Christopher's TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS & ALCOHOL, a screening of the film, followed by Fernandez's moving discussion.
The program will eventually be priced at $2,000, but during its pilot period through June 2008, we are offering it at a discounted rate of $1,000 (modest travel & lodging fees may apply). This also includes a 35-page teacher's workbook & curriculum.
Please contact us if your school is interested in this powerful program. With the end of the school year and prom quickly approaching, we feel that it is important to talk to students about the serious affects of drug and alcohol abuse.
You can visit TeenTruthLive.com to learn more about our program or contact us at 818.237.5082 to receive our TEEN TRUTH LIVE: DRUGS & ALCOHOL FAQ document.
In addition you can view a trailer for the TEEN TRUTH: DRUGS film at:
http://www.teentruthlive.com/TT_DRUGS/Trailer.html
February 1, 2008(3 out of 4 stars)
Shortly after the school shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., filmmakers JC Pohl and Erahm Christopher decided to tackle the problem of violence in the classroom. In 2006, they completed the highly praised documentary short "Teen Truth: An Inside Look at Bullying and School Violence." Since then they've reached more than 250,000 students with their message by visiting schools, screening the film and discussing the issues.
While their efforts on the subjects of school bloodshed continue, the award-winning duo hopes their new film is able to inspire and save lives in a different way. Their follow-up looks at the important topic of substance abuse. Though it doesn't have quite the power as their first production, "Teen Truth: An Inside Look at Drug & Alcohol Abuse" does pack an effective combo punch by entertaining and educating its viewers.
Christopher's quick-paced film covers the downward spiral of an addict with great results. Instead of having some authority figure say "Drugs are bad, mmmkay" like "South Park" counselor Mr. Mackey, "Teen Truth: Drugs" uses a subjective journalist approach and presents facts and various points of views without ever getting preachy.
Like "Teen Truth: Bully," this film uses music of Darren Fung, statistics, real 911 phone calls and footage shot by teenagers with great results. "Teen Truth: Drugs" also features visuals depicting illicit drug use, photos of car crashes caused by alcohol, as well as candid interviews with addicts, emergency room doctors and an undercover narcotics officer. All of the footage is weaved together to reveal the slow and unpleasant picture alcohol paints.
It all begins the same way for every addict - just one sip. Many say their friends or parents were doing it, so they wanted to give it a try. "Monkey see, monkey do," one of the recovering addicts in the films states. Whether it was by sneaking a wine cooler from Mom, being given a brewski from big Brother or offered beer at an underage keg party, 65 percent of the youth who drink say they get alcohol from friends or family.
It doesn't take long after that first taste for an individual to become a user of alcohol. Once they do, beer becomes as common as soda when hanging with friends. Recreation then grows into need. Once a week becomes twice a week. Then it becomes every day till eventually everything is about getting high. Nothing else matters. The alcohol more often than not progresses into marijuana, which then leads to cocaine, crystal meth, crack or heroin.
But like the old anti-drug campaigns used to declare: "No one ever says, 'I want to be a junkie when I grow up.'" Nobody intends to become an addict. "It won't happen to me." "I'm not an addict." "I can control it." "I just drink to have a good time." This is what they all say at some point. Each and every one of them that eventually ends up losing control of themselves. As a result they risk and often times lose their dreams, their friends, their family, their health and their future.
The lucky ones make it to a treatment center with physical, emotional and mental damages that are irreversible. They live out the rest of their lives fighting addictions, overcoming their physically deteriorating bodies and trying to heal the wounds they've inflicted on their loved ones. The unlucky ones end up homeless, in jail, in prison or institutions. The unluckiest - 135,000 people a year to be exact - just don't make it at all and are laid to rest in a cemetery.
What led Christopher and Pohl to make the first "Teen Truth" film was the absence of a teen perspective in the media when in comes to school violence and bullying. To truly open the lines of communication on an issue, you have to make sure the voiceless are heard. Christopher and Pohl achieved that and the final result was the most understanding portrayal of school violence ever captured on film. "Teen Truth: Bully" went on to be a winner at the 2007 Golden Eagle Awards, which are known for excellence in documentary and other informational film and video productions.
With "Teen Truth: Drugs" they took a similar approach. They incorporated not only the perspectives of teenagers, but also those of recovering addicts, which ends up giving the film its power.
All of the addicts express that if they could to do it all over again, they would not have gotten involved with alcohol and drugs. "It starts off fun. but when it's all over, the only person that's paying the price is you," one woman explains. Another female addict states: "A lot of my life is down the drain and I could never get it back."
Even more touching are the words of another recovering addict. "You don't realize, maybe when you have just a beer or just a hit of a joint where that's going to take you," she says near the end of the film. "Just one hit or one beer can change your whole life." The film closes with her breaking down. "It's so hard," she states. "I just want to cry. It's just hell. It's a life of hell and it never goes away. Even when you stop, it doesn't go away. Don't ever start. Then you won't have to stop." Sometimes it is hard to believe it is that simple, but it is.
- CCF, January 2008
January 4, 2008We would like to thank our state leaders for working together to further this important issue.
To help highlight this important week you can use our film, TEEN TRUTH: BULLY, or you can bring one of our speakers to your school to present our motivational program TEEN TRUTH: LIVE.
October 8, 2007Community Matters offers a nationally recognized program called Safe School Ambassadors that has taught over 20,000 4-12th grade student leaders in nearly 600 schools to use non-violent communication skills to reduce emotional and physical violence among their peers.
This program compliments our TEEN TRUTH: BULLY film and our TEEN TRUTH: LIVE speaking series perfectly. With our new partnership we have packaged a unique program that pairs the TEEN TRUTH: LIVE presentation and the Safe School Ambassadors program together.
Horizon and Community Matters are currently offering the TEEN TRUTH: LIVE Safe School Ambassadors Solution Program at a 5% discount to schools that purchase both programs.
June 27, 2007Erahm and JC presented to an over capacity room and the film was extremely well received by the highly influential audience. The presentation also featured testimonials from 7 racially diverse California students that had seen TEEN TRUTH: LIVE, as well as TEEN TRUTH student filmmaker Teresa Armen and special guest speaker Ryan Belflower.
Senator Ridley-Thomas had this to say about TEEN TRUTH: LIVE... "Schools would be a much better and safer place if every elementary, and high school student had an opportunity to participate in this program. Today's event affords the State Legislature an inside and first-hand look at the disrespect and harm many kids face on a daily basis. My colleagues and I applaud the TEEN TRUTH: LIVE program for all the positive effects it is making throughout the nation."
Senate President pro Tem Don Perata was also in attendance and was so moved by TEEN TRUTH: LIVE he addressed the audience and said that this presentation is one of the best that he has ever seen at the Capitol.
Click Here to see pics from the event
June 1, 2007