ReachOut Producers: New digital stories by young people, for young people

04 May 2016

Young producers from around the country have created 12 new video and audio stories for ReachOut.com, on topics ranging from Tinder and body image, to worrying and sexuality.

The multimedia content was developed by young people in the ReachOut Producers program, which brings talented young people together to showcase their skills in film, photography and sound. ReachOut Producers create digital content that features on the ReachOut service that helps users feel understood and supported.

The Producers came together for a workshop in late 2015, where they received training in digital storytelling and creative production from professionals in the field to support them in producing the content.

One of the Producers, Nathan, is a 21-year-old from Sydney studying audio production at the Australian Institute of Music. Through the Producers program Nathan created a powerful video of ReachOut staff giving advice to their younger selves, which also gave Nathan invaluable production experience.

‘It was a pleasure being in the Producers program and I want to thank ReachOut for allowing me to participate. I learnt a lot from the seminars which I hope I can put good use to and learnt a lot about how to approach new material and projects,’ he said.

Hearing stories about getting through tough times can help a young person feel like they’re not alone, give them practical strategies to try in their own life, and give them hope that they can get through challenges This new content by the ReachOut Producers is now part of ReachOut.com, where tens of thousands of young people can access it for help every month.

Check out a few of the pieces below.

Feeling sad: an animation

By Annette Phung

In a world full of happy selfies and status updates, there doesn't seem to be much room for sadness. ReachOut Producer, Annette, has taken a deeper look at what it means to be sad, and how to find your happiness when you feel like there's no way out.

Watch Annette’s animation.

Tinder Anonymous

By Aaron Taylor

We all know an interesting Tinder user. Whether it's because they're too keen or too into themselves, some users can make the quest for love (or a "casual" hang) a living nightmare. That's where Tinder Anonymous comes in. Have a listen to the support group's most frequent offenders, and you just might pick up a few dating tips along the way.

Listen to Aaron’s podcast.

Body image: The media

By Dylan Pope

The media is constantly sending us messages of what beauty is, from big booties to buff arms to flawless skin. But in reality, these strict standards are totally unrealistic and even harmful. So ReachOut Producer, Dylan, decided to find out how real people define beauty and find comfort in their own skin.

Watch Dylan’s video.

View more

Check out the rest of the stories on ReachOut.com, and keep an eye out for more coming soon:

• Being LGBTQI: Microagressions, by Jasmine

• Talking to my teenage self, by Nathan Lee

• Body image: Puberty, by Dylan Pope

• Body image; Friends, by Dylan Pope

• Rather than worrying, by Christine Trajkovska

• Career 101, by Dylan Pope

• Stress: A personal story, by Laine Fullerton