Winter '09 Reel

I've had a busy year so here is an updated reel of my work samples. Check it out!

Second Story Recieves $25,000 Grant

The Second Story receives $25,000 grant from Indianapolis Foundation, Receives 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Status


INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 29, 2008) – The Second Story, a nonprofit organization created to inspire and encourage young writers, recently received a $25,000 grant from The Indianapolis Foundation, a Central Indiana Community Foundation affiliate. The grant is being used to fund the organization’s pilot programs in Indianapolis Public Schools and at community center locations this winter and spring.

“The grant gives us a huge boost in a couple of ways,” said Ken Honeywell, president of The Second Story board. “Not only does it help us fund our operations now, it also affirms that we have an innovative program worthy of support, which will help us raise even more money in the future.”

The Second Story formed in 2007 with the mission helping young people develop positive attitudes about writing. The organization took shape in 2008 as it developed a full board of writers and educators and hired Jim Walker as its managing director. The Second Story received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS in November.

The Second Story believes that young people who enjoy writing have a better chance of improving their skills as writers, a crucial component to academic success at all levels. In order to achieve its goals of improving writing attitudes, The Second Story — using writers and educators as volunteers — strives to teach writing in ways that make it fun and dynamic for the students. The approach offers kids individual attention and encouragement, as well as plenty of freedom to express themselves.

Since October, a team of volunteers from The Second Story has been working each Friday with a class of fourth graders at IPS School 15 on the Near Eastside. In January, these students — who report greatly enjoying participating in the program — will be presented with a book of short stories they’ve written about places in Indianapolis special to them.

While the project will continue at School 15 in 2009, The Second Story plans to begin after-school writing tutoring in at least one community center location. It also hopes to begin working within additional IPS schools. All of The Second Story’s programs are free of charge for kids and schools. The organization is supported by grants and individual donations.

www.seconstoryindy.org

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50 Cent: The Money & The Power

Matt is proud to announce that he worked as a Series Producer for a new reality series set to premiere on November 6th at 10pm EST on MTV.


Watch this extended trailer for the 10-episode series...

To learn more about the series, go to www.50cent.mtv.com.

Our Clip Featured on Jack Johnson Site

This is pretty cool...

A clip that Matt worked on with friend and green living expert, Sara Snow, has been added to Jack Johnson's homepage. About a month ago Matt shot a short story on Jack's All at Once Community, a social action network dedicated to making a positive change in the world.

The clip has received nearly 30,000 views!

Here it is, one more time.

Jack Johnson & Sara Snow on Treehugger.com

Check out Sara Snow's article on treehugger.com featuring our segment we shot with Jack Johnson at a recent tour stop.

Second Story Open House

The Second Story, a children's creative writing center set to open in the Fall of 2008, recently held an open house at its new space in downtown Indianapolis.

The space, located in the historic Fountain Square district, will be built out and ready for kids and tutors in the coming months. The June 5th open house served as a mixer for volunteers and those interested in helping.

Watch this to see more from the event...





To learn more about the Second Story, go to www.secondstoryindy.org

Second Story Indy Announces Board Members

Now 16 Board Members Strong!

News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Walker, Managing Director
The Second Story
(317) 408-1366
www.secondstoryindy.org

New youth writing center forms first full board,

begins preparation for programming in the fall

INDIANAPOLIS – The Second Story, a writing center for young people opening this summer in Fountain Square, has formed a board of 16 writers, educators and involved citizens determined to make a difference in the city’s literary landscape.

At its first meeting with the full board on May 12, the nonprofit center furthered plans to offer free after-school tutoring and writing workshops in its space in the Murphy Art Center starting in August.

The Second Story, led by managing director Jim Walker and board president Ken Honeywell, will also work to help support writing in schools and host field trips at its facility. The space in the Murphy Center, currently used as an art gallery, will continue to show art of interest to all ages and will feature a small store.

The organization’s board members include: Honeywell, Walker, Mark Need, Scott Woolgar, Matt Mays, Meg Liffick, Robert Parrish, Jason Bearce, Jay Parnell, Linda Brundage, John Green, Cindy Muse, Steve Fox, Barb Shoup, Jont Rogers and Jamey Peavler.

The Second Story is seeking volunteers and supporters. Contact us if you are interested in helping.

Our mission: The Second Story is a grassroots creative writing program for young people in Greater Indianapolis. Through classroom exercises, tutoring, and other special programs taught by writers, The Second Story will help kids 6 to 18 discover their voices, explore their world, and embrace a life of curiosity and self-expression through the practice of creative writing.