Giving Back Through Projects That Matter
Happy Giving Tuesday
When the concept of the Projects That Matter Initiative (PTM) sprouted in 2009, we knew it could create positive change. Unbeknownst to us, the coming years would bring unprecedented inspiration fueled by the energy and passion from the incredible people we meet. Their infectious kindness, optimism, and warmth is powerful. This kind of altruism is integral for the betterment of our world. We deeply admire the individuals, families, nonprofits, and organizations we have been fortunate enough to work with. As we continue this journey, we strive to give all that we can.
The PTM Initiative provides professional digital media services to Non-Profits at a discounted rate. We feel giving back is essential in cultivating stable and productive communities. PTM is our driving force to live out that mission. Through visual storytelling, we capture the stories of our clients so others can vicariously step into the shoes of another. As Mr. Rogers once said, “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t learn to love once you’ve heard their story.” The people we have worked with make compelling impacts within their communities. Telling their story through PTM is our way to give back.
Recently, PTM has had the opportunity to collaborate with both new and old clients, who’s companies have each had a tremendous impact on their communities. Here are their stories.
Laureus + Lost Boyz
After serving a short term in prison, Lavonte Stewart decided to use baseball and softball as an approach to support the youth of Chicago’s South Shore community. The implemented programs within Lost Boyz has encouraged youth to engage in the community instead of turning to detrimental patterns. Serving 144 youth in 2018, Lost Boyz gives back by improving the lives of not only the youth, but their families and communities. We wanted to tell their story because of the dedication and kindness that Stewart and the Lost Boyz community exudes. The impressive effort put forth to help the youth community epitomizes the PTM mission.
FAAR
The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (FAAR) aims to eliminate impaired driving by starting a conversation. Through avenues like celebrity campaigns, countrywide statistics, and online resolutions, FAAR informs and encourages individuals to exemplify responsibility. Responsibility.org offers ample information, including comprehensive solutions and resources, to facilitate a healthy and safe community. Through PTM, we show how much FAAR cares about fulfilling their mission. They are committed in what they believe and are unwavering in helping others make better choices. With passion, they give back by fighting back against impaired driving and consequently saving lives.
Mission First Housing Group
Mission First Housing Groups’ mission is to develop and manage affordable, safe, and sustainable homes for people in need with a focus on the vulnerable. They ensure our residents have access to resources to help them live independently. Every year we collaborate with Mission First Housing Group to document and share the story of one of the amazing individuals they offer aid to throughout the year. PTM collaborated with this organization so others could discover the benevolence of Mission First. Not only is this organization combating homelessness, they are unifying people. The work that this organization does effectively improves the lives of so many and we are grateful to be a part of their mission.
Fred’s Footsteps
Fred’s Footsteps is a Philadelphia based non-profit organization that provides direct financial assistance to otherwise financially stable families facing a child’s hospitalization. They provide a funding bridge to working families for a period of one year to help them adjust to their child’s changing needs.We have worked with Fred’s Footsteps through PTM for three years now, but their dedication and commitment to relieving the worries of others never ceases to amaze us.
We are awe-inspired by the people within these organizations that are dedicated to positive change. The impact caused by these individuals is invaluable to the health and growth of the people and places we care about. At the Projects That Matter Initiative, we are whole-hearted in bringing inspiring stories to others. This to us, is giving back.
If you would like to learn more about our Projects That Matter Initiative and how we can help your organization tell their story, please contact us today or click on the “Learn More” button below.
This project was made possible through our Projects That Matter Initiative. The Projects That Matter Initiative is a Philadelphia based video production program with the mission of providing professional digital media services to Non-Profits at a discounted rate. To learn more about how your organization can join the initiative and qualify for creative content production discounts click below.
JTWO Set to Produce 125 Years of Penn Relays Documentary
In 2019 our team is partnering with the University of Pennsylvania to produce a feature length documentary celebrating 125 years of Penn Relays, the longest uninterrupted collegiate track and field event in the history of sport. At the start of Penn Relays in 1895, the audience has grown from a mere 5,000 speculators to over 113,000, residing as the most watched meet in the world, aside from the Olympics and World Championship.
As the first invitational track meet to welcome all races and schools, the Penn Relays have played a monumental role in both the culture of Philadelphia and the entire country by requiring acceptance for all athletes, and encouraging institutions to reevaluate the way they handle racism. As Philadelphia natives, our team is beyond grateful for the opportunity to commemorate a world renowned event that changed the history of our beloved city.
“As I look back now, I realize that the Relays we thus created made track training and competition not only more enjoyable but more significant as well. Now four runners join for a common purpose: team victory. Individual effort is still present but it is individual effort within and for the team. If the team wins, each runner wins; if the team loses, each runner loses. This is a great idea, the very essence of our American democracy, especially since this idea always ends in action, not in mere words. This is, I believe, the great value of relay running.”
Frank Ellis, Creator of Penn Relays
JTWO Wins Battle of the Agency Bands
This year our team took home the GOLD-en guitar, by placing FIRST in the 2018 Battle of the Agency Bands, hosted by our dear friends and partners the One Club Philly.
The band was led by JTWO – Chicago’s Executive Producer Conor Hare , who kicked off the show with his own solo rendition of the 2000s bop “Hit Me Baby One More Time”. Bandmates Steven, Elliot, Twon, and Liam later joined him onstage to perform some of the greatest rock hits, including classics by The Doors and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
They’re excited to hit the stage next year and would like to warn everyone that they fully plan on taking home 1st place again!
Former Intern Wins Best Documentary in Bucks Fever Filmfest
"Barre None"
We are proud to announce that our former intern, Maria Cantu, won Best College Documentary along with Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction in the 2018 Bucks Fever Filmfest for her documentary “Barre None” created under the JTWO [INC]ubator Project.
In this documentary, Maria tells the captivating and beautiful story of a young ballerina who is able to push through the harsh realities and overbearing pressures of the dancing world, with her unconditional love for the art.
JTWO Welcomes Intern Robin Chakrabarti
by Robin Chakrabarti
Ever since I was young I loved to tell stories and create characters. As a kid I would stand in front of my bathroom mirror, talking in different voices and accents for hours on end, bringing life to characters in my head. I’m sure I had my parents worried.
Thankfully I was able to funnel my comfort in being myself to become a vessel for expression as I got older. I fell in love with acting and the thrill of captivating an audience, and went on to play eccentric characters in school plays (including the parrot from Aladdin and even writing and performing a play impersonating my real life middle school athletics coach). I was named after the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, and discovered a love of writing that evolved from poetry to songwriting, and even wedding officiation speeches (I’m a recently ordained minister, so let me know if you need help getting married).
In middle and high school, when the hormones were raging and issues seemed blown out of proportion, I discovered music as a way to give meaning and begin to reclaim a life that felt out of my control. During my college years, my creative interests converged on film, when I started making music videos for my own songs. The feeling of seeing a project through from inception to unveiling makes every moment of risk and doubt more than worth it. However despite my ambition and hard work, for years I was confined by my own limiting beliefs that making art could never be a real career and could transcend just being a hobby. I spent years making music and film in my free time after coming home from classes or jobs I knew were not moving me toward my dreams.
I have hungered for an artistic community where I can share my talents and learn from others and I am deeply grateful that JTwo has come into my life now. I can’t wait to take advantage of the opportunities I have been given. Using my skills in sound design, video editing, and production, I am ready to leave my mark!
When I’m not making films, you can find me cooking up dance music, looking for sizzling vegan eats, sending ankles to the doctor in 2K, or getting fired up by life coaches on YouTube.
JTWO Teams up with Visit Bucks County
This Fall our team is partnering with Visit Bucks County to bring their new Youtube series “Check In” to life. In these short videos we will take you behind the scenes of some of the most charming and coziest bed & breakfasts atop sprawling farms, off country roads, and in small-town settings of Bucks County, PA!
JTWO Welcomes Intern Elle Chernaskey
I have always been a vessel of energy ready to expend it in any possible way. For as long as I can remember, I was go, go, go, in all facets of my being. Physically, I would happily exhaust myself. Running laps around the house, challenging boys in basketball, and riding my bike until sun-down forced me to return home. Socially, I wanted to interact with everyone. I would practically trip over my feet running down my windy stairs to pick up the phone JUST for a few seconds of dialogue (no one was ever calling for me lol). Mentally, I pushed myself to my limits. In college, I often said yes to one too many commitments and found myself rushing from club meeting to a nanny job to an internship to the climbing wall. Whenever I felt my energy fading, I thought back to myself at age five.
Although five is young, I was determined, didn’t give a crap what anyone thought, and loved a challenge. Like any five year old, I took in the world around me with attentiveness and curiosity. Every new moment was different and exciting. At this age I vehemently believed with every blink, a photograph was logged in my “picture book,” that would be compiled after a lifetime of blinking. In my highschool years, I would try to channel this perspective, hoping to see the world with similarly fresh eyes.
In college I upgraded my DSLR and vowed to travel as much as possible. I wanted to answer to my creative urges which was definitely not going to happen in my backyard. I spent hours researching ways to travel on a budget. I think my face still infiltrates the financial aid dude’s nightmares. But my perseverance to see the world worked. I was lucky enough to study in Costa Rica and Italy. I moved to Alaska for a summer. I climbed pyramids in Mexico. Saw the juxtaposition of cleanliness crossing the border from the U.S. to Canada. I backpacked Europe a few times solo and then once with friends. I owe this ambition and zest for new adventure to my five year-old self. That is who reminded me to be free-spirited, to not be afraid, and just go for it.
During my times of travel I found digital photography incredibly rewarding. Not only was I able to see beautiful places, I could also capture exactly what I wanted to remember and cherish. This excitement led me to photographing solo backpacking trips to glaciers, cloud rainforests with eclectic species, and my friends drinking too much wine at biodynamic farms. Super sick experiences that I’m so grateful for. After graduating college a few months ago, I knew my traveling would come to a hiatus. I had some big decisions to make like where to work and where to live and nothing was really happening. A few months of crippling anxiety ensued and I was scared I’d end up climbing the corporate ladder. Five year old Elle would have none of that.
Through a painstaking job search and very stressful summer, I finally decided to apply to some creative internships. I felt really nervous about applying and knew I would be up against incredibly talented film students with much more talent and knowledge. But the mindset of Elle at five surfaced and I had to tell myself to not doubt so much and apply. A few days later I heard back from Jelani and was so stoked. After researching JTwo’s incredible work, I was surprised and excited to be considered and eventually get the position. Although I have the typical week-one nerves, I feel so lucky to be in this seat and I cannot wait to learn from this dynamic staff. Thus far I have felt extremely welcomed. I am ready to bust my ass and do everything I can to contribute and collaborate. Although I know I’m never getting my picture book, I hope to look back at times like these and smile.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
JTWO Welcomes Editor Steven Layton
Introducing Steven Layton
We’re excited to announce the newest addition to our team Steven Layton. Steven is an Audio Engineer graduate of Rowan University and has been brought on as an Editor. His involvement in the creative industry dates back to his teenage years drumming for the hardcore/ metal band “Despite My Pride”.
Through his music career, Steven developed a passion for video editing while producing music videos for his band. He found that, like song writing, he was able to web an inspiring story together, only this time with picture.
Silver Lake
Silver Lake is a new ambient/alternative rock project that was created on opposite sides of the country, while Steven resided in NJ and Mitchell in LA. Composing this from opposite coasts posed some difficulty for the brothers, but ultimately helped echo the the album’s theme of loneliness. Through their coast to coast collaboration, the brothers were able to create a record that truly reflected the separate and complementary sounds of their surroundings as well as what it was like living a part from each other.
JTWO Welcomes Editor Rachael Petersen
Introducing Rachael Petersen
We’re excited to announce the newest addition to our team Rachael Petersen. A Temple Media Studies and Production graduate, Rachael comes to JTWO with a comprehensive background in the creative industry with a specific passion for documentary film. Just this year she placed first in the 2018 BEA Festival of Media Arts in the Long-Form Student Documentary category, while also winning the Award of Recognition at the Indie Fest Film Awards.
The Film
Wearing the hat for Producer, Director, and Editor Rachael ran everything from pre to post production on Monumental Change, which follows the story of Monument Cemetery, a renowned cemetery in the heart of North Philadelphia that was destroyed in the 1950s, while also highlighting Philadelphia’s history of expansion and gentrification.
JTWO Works with DC Superhero Girls
We recently teamed up with Something’s Awry Productions and Warner Bros to help bring their new live action + stop-motion animation series DC Super Hero Girls to life. In these two short kid friendly films you discover how middle school-aged girls and DC Super Heroes react when faced with challenging social situations like bullying and rejection.