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Youth Media Center

managed by G. Chophel

About us

The Youth Media Center (YMC) is a public benefit not for profit organization registered with the Civil Society Organization Authority of Bhutan, with the registration number of CSOA/PBO – 25. It was founded in 2013 to realize its vision of a vibrant multimedia industry created and sustained by Bhutanese youth. Its mission is to alleviate youth unemployment by building their capacity to create professional quality multimedia products.
YMC is Bhutan’s central multimedia advisory agency for the use of audio visual material and related computer applications such as music recording and animation/graphic design. It serves as a resource center offering multimedia skills training courses to make youth employable as music producers, graphic designers, photo editors, media photographers, animators and special effects film designers.

Through the original multimedia projects resulting from its efforts, YMC aims to move Bhutan from a nation of media consumers to media producers in the international market.
Objectives: In line with its vision and mission, the YMC aims to facilitate youth in:
o Expanding Bhutan’s television channels to lessen consumption of foreign channels and give more opportunities to Bhutanese media producers
o Premiering Bhutanese films internationally
o Increasing the amount of printed materials created and written by Bhutanese
o Heightening the quality of Bhutanese music products to meet international standards
o Building a domestic advertising industry to campaign and create awareness of commercial products, lessening the outsourcing of such work

STAFF
A majority of the Youth Media Center staff are Bhutanese youth, recent class XII or college graduates who are dedicated to improving the lives of their peers. Our multimedia skills instructors are well-trained and experienced, having studied and worked in various countries, including India, Thailand, and the United States. All members of the YMC team share a passion for the arts and work toward a common goal of building a thriving, youth-led multimedia industry in Bhutan.

NEEDS (PROBLEM) STATEMENT
Multimedia, an innovation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), combines text, graphics, animation, and sound to create messages. The use of multimedia technology in the modern world has facilitated communication between individuals and organizations across the globe. It has created a common platform to spread important messages and ideas across social boundaries of race, caste, creed and language. It has revolutionized the music and film industries, making their products more varied and widely accessible. It has made teaching and learning more enjoyable and effective, and facilitated the growth of businesses through multimedia advertisements.
While the multimedia industry has flourished in many countries, it remains in its infancy in Bhutan. Historically isolated, Bhutan was the last country in the world to introduce television in 1999. With the introduction of ITC, Bhutanese society is slowly transforming into a knowledge-based society. By advancing in multimedia, Bhutan can produce professional, high quality services for both domestic and international consumption.
This development will generate numerous employment opportunities with minimal impact on the environment. This makes it an ideal industry to develop in Bhutan, where environmental law restricts many industries from expanding (for example, the law dictates that Bhutan’s land must remain at 60% forest cover for all time).
The Youth Media Center specifically targets youth because youth employment is increasing due to rural urban migration and a mismatch between knowledge and skills being taught and those required by the job market. While in the past college graduates were absorbed largely by the government sector, the government has become unable to accommodate the growing number of graduates in recent years.
The YMC thus aims to fulfill the need for skilled artists in the field of multimedia by educating youth in multimedia skills and technologies. With the skills they gain, youth will create professional quality multimedia products for domestic and international markets. Through this process, the youth unemployment problem will be alleviated and the multimedia industry will thrive.
TRAININGS IN BRIEF
Multimedia Skill Development
YMC offers Multimedia Skills Training for Bhutanese youth who are interested in a career in multimedia. YMC is a Certified Trainer under the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource (MoLHR) and the training modules are accredited with the Department of Occupational Standard. Currently we offer 3 different training modules: Animation, Graphic Design, and Sound and Music.
Each module consists of 5 different levels, lasting 2 months each. Those who successfully complete one level will receive a certificate and be eligible to attend the next level. A certificate for any level may be presented as a qualification to potential employers. On completion of all 5 levels the trainee will possess an advanced level of knowledge in his/her field. The trainings are thus designed to build the multimedia industry while facilitating youth employment.
Animation
Through this course, students will be able to understand the basics of animation and animate their own character by the end of the 5th level. They will showcase their own portfolio in animation as 2D animators. With this portfolio, they will be able to search employment in a 2D production studio in Bhutan, or work as freelance 2D animators throughout the world.
Graphic Design
Graphic design is an interdisciplinary, problem-solving discipline which combines visual sensitivity with skill and knowledge in communication, technology and business. Graphic designers combine typography, colour, lines, and patterns to create designs and products for advertisement, business or entertainment.
The Graphic Design training aims to teach students what graphic design is and how to apply it in the real world. Lessons will cover the fundamental basics of two software programs (Photoshop and Illustrator). Students will be taught how to use the correct file format for digital images and how to create designs that convey a message using visuals. They will learn about the composition and layout for specific designs, with correct typography and colours. By the end of the course they will have completed a project to make a product using all the material learned in the class. With the final product showcasing their graphic design skills, students may become professional Graphic Designers in advertisement, business, or entertainment fields.
Sound and Music
This module aims to equip youth with the knowledge and skills needed to produce digital music. Lessons combine music theory (tone, pitch, scales, rhythm) with digital technology (computer software for mixing music tracks). Each level is project-based, with each trainee applying class content to the production of an original music track. The skills learned in this module will enable youth to enter the music and film industry, providing them with employment and improving the quality of Bhutanese music products.
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
Saving 100 Bhutanese Youth
Youth Media Center plans to provide Multimedia Skills Training free of cost to 100 selected economically disadvantaged youth in Bhutan. The main goal of this initiative is to rescue and build the careers of the youths who have been most affected by the unemployment crisis, enabling them to earn a decent livelihood.
To donate to this project, please visit http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/saving-100-youths-in-bhutan/
RESOURCE CENTERS
M-Studio M-Studio is a music recording studio and affiliated program of Youth Media Center founded on the 11th of November 2011.
M-Studio is a group of music lovers dedicated to creating a perfect world of Bhutanese music. Music is our passion and we strive to break frontiers, create magic and go where no musician has gone before.
We treasure the old, timeless tradition of Bhutanese music while seeking ever creative and innovative ways to ensure that the tastes of changing times are also satisfied. In this way, we may change the history of Bhutanese music, creating a history that all of us can be proud of.
We welcome experienced artists, budding artists and anyone else whose passion for music matches ours. We promise to deliver the highest quality recording services and the most professional guidance and assistance in creating your original music track.
Multimedia Training Center
Youth Media Center provides the opportunity to develop multimedia skills and knowledge through several different training modules.
The training center houses digital cameras and desktop computers with animation, photo editing, and digital music software installed. All trainings are conducted by hired professional consultants with experience and expertise in the given field.
In the future, additional types of multimedia training will become available to provide further opportunities for interested youth to develop the Bhutanese media industry.
Multimedia Library
The field of multimedia in Bhutan is limited by a lack of skills, knowledge and professionalism, due in part to a lack of resources for learning about multimedia. Seeing the multimedia industry as one of the most promising industries that could generate employment and revenues in Bhutan, YMC is establishing a Multimedia Library (ML) to provide resources and educational programs for the general public. The core objective of the ML is to enhance people’s knowledge so they can create higher quality multimedia products that meet international standards. When completed, the ML will house a variety of digital and printed books, as well as technological tools (digital cameras, video-cameras, etc.). In addition, the ML will archive the local multimedia industry’s resources.
Production Studio
The production studio provides a platform for multimedia skills trainees to showcase their talents and achievements. The studio will produce live-action (visual effects) films and animated series, as well as music videos. Finished products will be reviewed for television showing.
PROGRAMMES
Youth Help Line Service (We Listen). With urbanization and the changing lifestyle in Bhutan, communication among family members has become increasingly fragmented. At the same time, Bhutanese youths are confronted with a variety of issues related to recent changes in the country. In many cases, the caring advice of experienced adults is being replaced by moral support from peers (based on a survey conducted by YMC). Professionals answering the 24 hour YMC help line offer an anonymous ear to listen to the grievances of the youths and sound advice with which to confront their problems.
Youth to Youth (engaging the young Bhutanese). The goal of the Youth to Youth Project is to give youth a platform for sharing positive aspects of urban and rural life, brainstorming creative solutions to each other’s problems, and discussing important issues.
Vast differences exist between the urban and rural areas of Bhutan, resulting in inequalities and communication gaps among the country’s youth. Rural youth are more vulnerable to gender stereotyping and career limitations, while urban youth are affected by social problems such as substance abuse. Meanwhile, a communication gap has created misunderstandings between the two groups.
Furthermore, a survey conducted by YMC shows that youth engage in casual conversations more frequently than informative discussions with their peers. In addition to connecting urban and rural youth, this project aims to facilitate informative discussions on social, cultural, economic, and educational themes. Discussions will take place through video-conferencing led by a mediator.
Wall Magazine Revitalize Wall magazine is an activity conducted in Bhutanese primary, middle and higher secondary schools to enhance students’ artistic development, written and oral communication skills, and research skills. It is a magnified version of a newspaper displayed on a wall. Under teacher supervision, students research specific themes and create illustrated articles on those themes to post on the wall.
The current wall magazine is not effective or efficient due to insufficient budget, lack of attention, inadequate facilities, absence of external inspection, and lack of competition and impetus among the schools.
Recognizing the importance of the wall magazine activity, YMC is promising to revitalize the wall magazine in schools to make it more effective and efficient. To achieve this goal, YMC will provide resources and facilities to local schools and facilitate interschool competitions. The focus will shift from conducting library research to reporting on current school news, including sports events, environmental concerns, agricultural topics, and cultural programs. Students will be required to conduct interviews and document events through current photography, thus developing their communication skills and creativity.

Green Youth Café Thimphu is experiencing diverse youth related problems such as social alienation, substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, and unemployment. The “Green Youth Café,” designed to alleviate such problems, is an establishment managed and staffed by youth. The project aims to give part-time employment to disadvantaged youth, teaching them to earn and be independent, and instilling in them the sense of dignity of labour. Youths are employed in the restaurant on an hourly basis for a maximum of two hours a day, providing balanced time for studies. The café offers Bhutanese snacks and drinks in an alcohol and substance free environment.
The project aims are:
- Supporting disadvantaged youth with wages as remuneration for work.
- Engaging young Bhutanese during free hours, i.e. after school hours, holidays and vacations.
- Instilling the dignity of labour among young people.
- Allowing youth to earn and become independent.
- Teaching youth basic life skills (management, public relations, confidence, etc.)
- Training youth to become entrepreneurs.
- Turning youth into productive and responsible citizens.

Latest project news

Youth Media Center

  G. Chophel   01 April 2014 at 10:25 AM
Multimedia Skill Development

YMC offers Multimedia Skills Training for Bhutanese youth who are interested in a career in multimedia. YMC is a Certified Trainer under the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource (MoLHR) and the training modules are accredited with the Department of Occupational Standard. Currently we offer 3 different training modules: Animation, Graphic Design, and Sound and Music.

Each module consists of 5 different levels, lasting 2 months each. Those who successfully complete one level will receive a certificate and be eligible to attend the next level. A certificate for any level may be presented as a qualification to potential employers. On completion of all 5 levels the trainee will possess an advanced level of knowledge in his/her field. The trainings are thus designed to build the multimedia industry while facilitating youth employment. 

Animation

Through this course, students will be able to understand the basics of animation and animate their own character by the end of the 5th level.  They will showcase their own portfolio in animation as 2D animators. With this portfolio, they will be able to search employment in a 2D production studio in Bhutan, or work as freelance 2D animators throughout the world.

Graphic Design

Graphic design is an interdisciplinary, problem-solving discipline which combines visual sensitivity with skill and knowledge in communication, technology and business. Graphic designers combine typography, colour, lines, and patterns to create designs and products for advertisement, business or entertainment.

The Graphic Design training aims to teach students what graphic design is and how to apply it in the real world.  Lessons will cover the fundamental basics of two software programs (Photoshop and Illustrator). Students will be taught how to use the correct file format for digital images and how to create designs that convey a message using visuals. They will learn about the composition and layout for specific designs, with correct typography and colours. By the end of the course they will have completed a project to make a product using all the material learned in the class. With the final product showcasing their graphic design skills, students may become professional Graphic Designers in advertisement, business, or entertainment fields.

Sound and Music

This module aims to equip youth with the knowledge and skills needed to produce digital music.  Lessons combine music theory (tone, pitch, scales, rhythm) with digital technology (computer software for mixing music tracks). Each level is project-based, with each trainee applying class content to the production of an original music track.  The skills learned in this module will enable youth to enter the music and film industry, providing them with employment and improving the quality of Bhutanese music products.




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Thimphu
Thimphu
Bhutan

G. Chophel

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