Caltrain, Teen Digital Arts Program Partner to Produce Safety Videos

August 6, 2013

As part of its continuing effort to increase safety, Caltrain is partnering with Fresh Takes, a digital arts program for young people, to produce a series of rail safety videos targeting teens. The innovative program kicked off this week at the Fresh Takes studio in Redwood City with a rail safety presentation to familiarize the teens with the railroad’s major safety concerns.

The video vignettes will debut at a film festival in the fall and be used throughout the year to educate people about the importance of safe behavior around railroads. The videos will be promoted via Caltrain’s posters, brochures, social media and website. Caltrain also is exploring other venues to air the videos, such as community movie nights and local schools.

The students will develop their ideas and produce story boards early in the week. Caltrain staff will accompany the students on photo shoots at selected stations. The remainder of the week will be taken up with editing the footage into short safety messages.

“The Fresh Takes Youth Leadership Crew, Reel Eyes, is excited about this opportunity,” said Sagesse Graham, programming and instruction director. “The crew, consisting of 10 youth from diverse backgrounds, is dedicated to making a difference in the world. This project is a perfect example of how we can hone in on skills around developing and delivering strong messages while producing shorts that ultimately improve the quality of life in our communities.” 

The videos will feature common-sense safety messages such as never going around lowered crossing gates, crossing only at designated crossings and standing behind the yellow safety line on station platforms.

The program is funded in part by a grant from Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), a nonprofit, national rail safety program. As an active member of the organization, Caltrain conducts rail safety presentations in the community throughout the year. Every September, which has been designated “Railroad Safety Month” by proclamation of the California Legislature, Caltrain spearheads a special rail safety campaign.

Over the years, Caltrain has conducted a number of safety campaigns including installing eye-catching banners at stations, posting signs with a crisis hotline number along the right of way, and mailing magnets with the railroad’s contact number to residents near the train tracks.

“We think that teens speaking to teens will give the rail safety message added credibility and creativity,” said Executive Officer of Public Affairs Mark Simon.

Safety is a high priority because of Caltrain’s location in a densely populated, heavily congested area. The commuter rail service is 150 years old and the communities have grown up around and in close proximity to the train tracks. An open system, the railroad is easily accessible and frequently traversed by foot and by automobile. 

About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with limited commute service to Gilroy. Caltrain has enjoyed nearly33 months of consecutive ridership increases, surpassing more than 50,000 average weekday riders earlier this year. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad will celebrate 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the corridor by 2019, reducing diesel emissions by 90 percent and adding more service to more stations. 
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About Fresh Takes: Fresh Takes empowers youth from diverse San Mateo County communities to express themselves through Media Arts Production with an emphasis on self-awareness, media literacy, civic engagement, community involvement, social change, and artistic excellence.  In addition we offer affordable high caliber classes for all ages that are taught by working professionals and masters of their craft as an alternative option to expensive and time consuming colleges and universities.
Like us at www.facebook.com/freshtakesrwc or follow us on Twitter @FTNY_FilmFest.