The Film Concept
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The Film Concept
Maine is a mostly rural state that loses many of its “best and brightest” young people to other locales, the ‘brain drain’. Due to a lack of satisfying, well paying jobs, many feel they must relocate to metro areas to reach their aspirations. This leaves Maine with the fourth oldest state population in the nation. This problem is expressed in three recent major studies on Belfast’s economic future (see www.cityofbelfast.org.) At the Belfast Leadership and Action Summit, the town of Belfast targeted this problem, stating the need to:
- “Develop plans, programs and initiatives
to attract young people (18-34) to Belfast.”
The need for a rural community to stop the brain drain is closely linked to good jobs. The Belfast Comprehensive Planning Committee in the Majority Report on Retail Development sets a goal to:
- “Promote an economic climate that increases
job opportunities and the economic well-being
for Belfast residents.”
In A Summary Report submitted to the town by Chris Shrum and Alan Hinsey goals that would encourage this economic growth suggested the need to:
- “Define our ‘Quality of Life’ as we know it as
a way of promoting our area.”
- “Define our identity so we can tell our story. “
- “Present local flavor, authentic and unique parts of Belfast, local ownership.”
- “Market the waterfront to drive people there.”
- “Market ourselves as a hub for daytrips to a region.”
It further asserts that Belfast should:
- “Tie schools to local cable access for production
- “Encourage the use of video about traditional highlights of the area for posting online at websites.”
Time for Belfast is designed to confront strategic needs by giving students a voice and a leading role in a project that harnesses the converging medias of HD photography, Internet publication and TV airplay.