Tanya McGinnity

Back in October 2009, Studio XX and The National Film Board of Canada, Quebec Center launched a project titled “First Person Digital” (FPD) which is a training and production program for women looking to explore new methods of engaging in digital storytelling.

This program has the goal of bringing together teams of women to collaborate on original projects realized through teamwork and mentoring. I can’t begin to share with you how jazzed I am about this and am working to put together a pitch for an idea that I have rolling around in my head.

If you’re interested in more information on this production program, do check out the FPD website. Keep in mind that the call for proposals is on now and the deadline is March 1, 2010. Six teams will be selected to create an interactive work that will be shown live at the HTMlles Festival and distributed by the NFB.

I was able to meet several of the organizers of this program and their enthusiasm in being able to deliver this opportunity was a thrill to experience. Connecting with a passionate and dedicated group of people is something that nourishes this creative’s soul, but add digital / tech to the mix and I can’t begin to describe the feeling of community that ignites from this.

Here’s a few things that have caught my eye over the past week or so…

The blog for this clothing shop is just amazing…  Rumors in Richmond. It looks like the kind of store I’d like to get accidentally locked in at night and just have to hang out in until morning.

The brilliant blog 30sleeps covers some great territory lately – from “How to Deal With Negative Emotions” to “Becoming More Social”. With the tagline of “Open Source Personal Development”, this blog is a must read for its clarity and genuine inspirational focus.

Here’s a photo of some great wall stenciling I caught near Atwater… Pretty fab.

Marshall Ganz (The architect behind Obama’s organizing campaign) web module on Organizing which  “contains learning materials that touch upon such questions as: what is organizing, how do people organize, what skills are required of organizers and how can these skills be shared with others?”

I’m currently reading “Girls Against Girls- Why We Are Mean to Each Other and How We Can Change” by Bonnie Burton and I’m absolutely loving it. It’s really designed for the young adult market but so much of it is so relevant regardless of your identifiable age group.

“Most girls and women feel a kinship with other girls, but some try to divide us. It is important to our advancement as a gender that we stick together as women and know that we are here for each other for support.” - Jane Wiedlin from The GoGo’s

40 Beautiful Grunge Photoshop Techniques from Smashing Magazine (yeah.. I’m feeling retro,  just no 80′s please!!!)