The progressive dialogs between the Trenton community and its leaders continue, as a local filmmaker creates “Common Ground” — another film within his docuseries.
— Photo by Margaret Casperson
Last Saturday, Joseph A. Halsey, founder of the James R. Halsey Foundation of the Arts, along with Co-founder of seven13 Films, Lee Kolinsky, and several community members wrapped up day four of filming “Common Ground,” which is a part of his Generation Change docuseries that focuses on positive changes within the community.
Media Producer Margaret Fontana said that, Generation Change is the first of docuseries since they switched from producing fiction, and that “this could potentially spark new positive conversations and create a more open forum and platform for community members … challenging social issues they face daily.”
Since its inception, Generation Change has presented a previous Youth Symposium called, “If I Were Mayor” at Rider University last spring where the youth questioned mayoral candidates.
This year’s symposium, “Common Ground,” also involves teens and young adults who came out to the Sam Naples Senior Center in Trenton to meet with Trenton police officers and have a conversation about some of the issues they face within the community.
Award-winning Television Personality Alicia Nieves hosted both events, where she facilitated the conversations between the youth and their leaders.
Community members on the last day before post-production also included the Mayor of Trenton Reed Gusciora and staff members from the City of Trenton, and the Sam Naples Senior Center.
The issues the community members discussed during the “Common Ground” meetings ranged from their relationship with police officers, to filmmaking, to economic issues within households to college careers.
The purpose of the discussions was to find a “common ground” especially between the young community members and their police force.
Fontana states that, “Common Ground” has allowed Law Enforcement and the young community members to, “voice their opinions on how to overcome historically, negative interactions that have resulted in distrust, a lack of respect and violence within the community.”